by Brianna Crandall — August 15, 2014—International office equipment provider Fellowes, Inc., has introduced a line of air quality control systems designed to reduce the presence of airborne germs, allergens and odor in public and shared spaces, such as restrooms, cafeterias, break and waiting rooms, and other areas of a facility where occupants frequently gather.
“Occupants in a facility expect that all surfaces have been disinfected, that restroom fixtures should be touch-free, and that the water from the cooler is filtered. However, when you consider millions suffer from allergies, and 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu every year, we believe providing purified air is the next logical step to keeping the public at ease,” stated Jeff Dryfhout, global director of marketing, air treatment at Fellowes. “Even the cleanest facilities have areas of constant airborne contamination, such as restrooms, classrooms, general office space, basically any shared areas where airborne germs can pose the greatest risk for cross contamination,” said Dryfhout.
AeraMax PRO air quality control systems address concerns such as World Health Organization estimates that 30% of buildings in the United States may experience IAQ problems, which can lead to Sick Building Syndrome, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Sick Building Syndrome costs businesses some $60 billion annually. The systems are designed specifically for installation in public and shared spaces. Systems include the following:
- Patent-pending EnviroSmart sensor technology constantly monitor conditions in a room and self-adjusts the unit’s performance. This helps to maximize the air purification process while reducing energy consumption and extending the life of the filters.
- Vandal-resistant housing with locking access panel and internal controls helps assure units stand up to the rigors of public spaces.
Air that passes through the system is purified in a multi-step process including:
- High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter rated to capture 99.97% of airborne particulate as small as 0.3 microns, including viruses, bacteria, mold, pollen, and other allergens from the air that passes through the filter;
- Activated carbon filter that adsorbs odor and volatile organic compounds; and
- Bipolar ionizer that enhances the removal of larger particulate from the air.
Recent computational fluid dynamic simulations demonstrate the AeraMax PRO improves indoor air quality by diluting and removing airborne contaminants while helping to maintain a more consistent temperature distribution in the space, says Fellowes.
Air quality control systems are designed to be wall-mounted and are available in two sizes. The AM III is designed for rooms up to 300 square feet, and the AM IV for areas up to 600 square feet. Both sizes are available in multiple finishes including stainless steel, white, and graphite.
Hands-free AutoMax shredders
Fellowes also recently announced its new AutoMax line of hands-free shredders, which the company calls “the industry’s first truly walk away shredding experience.” Fellowes AutoMax shredders, including the 300C and 500C models, offer hands-free cross-cut shredding through an exclusive combination of technologies designed to save employees valuable time. Patented SureFeed Technology ensures reliable automatic shredding for large jobs up to 500 sheets including staples, paper clips, CDs, DVDs and junk mail. JamGuard System prevents shredding interruptions for jam-free operation. SmartLock engages with each shred cycle to protect confidential information.
Fellowes, Inc., offers an extensive range of products to equip the home and workspace, including paper shredders, air purifiers, binders, laminators, desktop accessories and record storage solutions—all inspired to improve productivity and enhance well-being. Founded in 1917 by Harry Fellowes and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Fellowes, Inc., employs more than 1,200 people throughout the world and has operations in 20 countries. Fellowes products are now readily available in over 100 countries across the globe, says the company.
