Air filter requirements for commercial buildings vary depending on the building’s specific use, occupancy, and indoor air quality needs. Generally, commercial buildings require air filters to remove airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and other contaminants, to ensure the building’s air quality meets acceptable standards for human health and comfort.

Are you looking for commercial HVAC filters? The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides guidelines for the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of air filters used in commercial buildings. ASHRAE recommends MERV 8 – 13 filters for most commercial buildings.  LEED Rated buildings require a minimum of MERV 13 filtration throughout the building.

The frequency of filter replacement depends on the building’s use, occupancy, and other factors, such as outdoor air quality, and should be determined through a comprehensive maintenance plan. Regular filter replacement is critical to maintain proper indoor air quality, optimize HVAC system performance, and prevent health hazards associated with poor air quality.

Commercial Offices Best Practices and Guidelines for Air Filtration

These best practice guidelines establish air filtration guidelines for the removal of particulate contamination for the protection of the air handling equipment and components, as well as providing comfort and a healthy environment for all who work, visit, live and play in these facilities. The recommendations in this guideline are considered by NAFA to be “best practice” in contrast to “minimum standards” as put forth by other organizations. It will serve to provide owners and facility managers with the necessary information to make educated decisions when providing filtration products for their building, and an essential component of their Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and life safety program.