Due to the increased demand and need for gas-phase air filtration equipment (GPAFE) in conjunction with the lack of understanding of service life and efficiency of GPAFE systems, and the absence of adequate test methods, ASHRAE initiated a research project Field Test Methods to Measure Contaminant Removal Effectiveness of Gas Phase Air Filtration Equipment: Phase I: Search of Literature and Prior Art 791-RP (Liu, 1996) and Phase II: Field Test Methods to Measure Contaminant Removal Effectiveness of Gas Phase Air Filtration Equipment 791-RP (1098-TRP). Based on literature data, Phase I, conducted by Liu (1996), provided information on the types of GPAFE commonly used, suitable measurement methods for contaminant removal efficiencies, and a draft field test procedure. Phase I was limited to literature review and method recommendations, and did not cover actual laboratory or field-testing, which is the basis of Phase II, the results of which are presented in this report.

The objectives of the Phase II research were to develop a field test method that would provide building managers and maintenance staff with a procedure to determine GPFAE filters removal efficiencies and lifetimes in their buildings, and to provide data on the lifetime and removal efficiency of GPAFE filters in a variety of building types. The field sample collection, and whenever possible analysis, was to be performed easily by building maintenance staff rather than requiring performance by research and/or survey firms. Passive sampling methods were targeted since these could be easily and inexpensively performed by the in-house building maintenance staff. Real-time methods were considered since these would provide on-site sampling and analysis, but the real-time methods capable of meeting the required detection limits for the targeted analyses were too expensive for typical facilities to purchase and maintain, if appropriate technology was even available.