The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating system indicates, on a scale of 1-16, how effectively an air filter traps small airborne particles. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is.

MacEwan University is the only university in Alberta that has been using MERV-13 air filters as our standard filters on all of our air handling units, whereas most universities have moved from a MERV-4 to a MERV-6 as their method of reducing the possibility of airborne transmittable viruses. When COVID became a reality in Canada last year, the facilities department made the decision to begin installing MERV-14 filtration as filters came up for replacement. This is filtration that is comparable to hospitals, the only filtration level that is higher than this is installing HEPA filtration systems that are used in isolation wards and operating rooms in the hospitals.

We did some random sampling and calculations in our buildings and our air changes in all cases meets and exceeds ASHRAE normal recommendations as well as their recommendations for high virus scenarios.

Read more about ASHRAE recommended ventilation rates.

From Facilities