✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Verified codes to save on your next trip.
We review more deeply the importance of the HEPA filters on commercial aircraft and its effectiveness against airborne viruses for passenger safety. Airbus main image.
In time of coronavirus and at the gates of the reopening of air operations limitedly in Ecuador and in many countries, we will delve into how safe it is to fly in an airplane with respect to air quality.
Post written by: Captain Rudolph Star
FAA Commercial Pilot
Twitter: @rodo_estrella
Although not all planes are the same, among them differ philosophies in system design among which are pressurization systems, air conditioning and air conditioning.
in previous deliveries, we talk about pressurization system and where the air in the cabin comes from.
That is why we will now talk about the environmental system, This system provides the aircraft with fresh air for the cabin and the rooms where the crew are located., passengers and sometimes cargo, because cargo compartments are also used for the transport of live animals.
As we mentioned before, on most aircraft, the air that enters the cabin comes from compression stages in the aircraft's engines, This air is removed through valves called "bleeding" and enters the aircraft cabin under pressure.. Since the air when subjected to high pressures from the compressor increases its temperature, is redirected to air conditioning units, where this air is cooled, filtered and mixed with air that also enters impact intakes directly from the outside and is entered into the cabin after also a selected pressure regulation process.
HEPA filters
Depending on aircraft design, In general terms, this air that enters and is also recirculated in a percentage that is around 50% in cycles that change the air by about 20 a 30 times per hour, pass through filters called HEPA: “High-Efficiency Particulate Air”, these filters according to the Environment Office, Health and Safety of the United States in its DOE-STD-3020-2015 document indicates that they are capable of retaining up to a 99.95% impurities in the air passing through them in sizes up to 0.3 microns making them highly efficient. These filters are made of several layers of artificial fibers randomly distributed inside the filter.. This makes the recirculating air have a high degree of purity..
Nevertheless, even though this air can be considered safe, the presence of contaminating agents inside a cabin means that contamination or contagion can occur through close or direct contact between passengers, For this reason, the permanent use of the mask throughout the duration of the flight will always be essential..
For this, organizations such as the THERE IT IS have generated observations and recommendations for operators and passengers on how to reduce the risk of contagion and transmission of respiratory diseases on airplanes, this in the form of the use of masks for each occupant, simplified catering procedures where cabin crew have as little interaction as possible with passengers, limiting passenger movement within the aircraft to the greatest extent possible and executing deep cleaning and disinfection procedures between flights, after disembarkation and before boarding of new passengers.
As well as measures that airports can take prior to boarding, such as interviews with each person regarding their health., taking temperature, observation of symptoms, etc.
Even though the air we breathe inside an airplane is safe in a large percentage, the care will finally be in the hands of the passenger himself, either for personal protection as well as to help in the care of other passengers.
If the security measures are followed by all users, personal, crews and facilities, we will be able to effectively reduce the ability of COVID-19 to spread during a flight, but any security system, purification, sanitizing or filtering are not very helpful if we are not disciplined.
✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Search here for hotels ALL over the world at the best price.
