Vacuum

Vacuum Issues in the NICU

This information is intended to raise issues in noise and dust reduction in cleaning carpets in the NICU. It is the result of research done to reduce the noise from vacuum cleaning in our unit.

The vacuum listings are not exhaustive, but represent an overview from companies that offered information on their applicability to this environment.

This site is not sponsored or connected in any way to any vacuum manufacturer or distributor.

Issues in Carpet Cleaning

Noise

	motor sounds
	impact from vacuum striking objects in the unit, particularly the incubator or bed

Emissions

Vacuums can double that amount air suspended particles for one hour after cleaning

Durability

	vibration can increase noise and decrease function over time
	maintenance schedule and durable designs can help reduce this effect

Power - Function

suction and agitation

Body style

	Central
	Central mounted in cart
	Canister
	Upright

	(rate from 85-55 dB, 85 dB causing significant stress to infants)
	distance from baby to motor – canister, central vacs and cart mounted central vacs can increase the distance from motor to baby, decreasing sound
	power head - height adjustment, local motor, sound dampening, some power heads have their own motor noise problems

impact

	reduce opportunity, canisters with long hoses and small sweeper heads reduce chance of impact
	reduce noise at impact - central vacs often have hose and wand quilted or knit covers

Example of quiet engineering

	Stealth Power head from M.D. Manufacturing
	Integrated circuits check efficiency of power head several times per second and set height of power head and brush head balance (greatly reducing a source of noise)
	Power head packed with 13 pieces of sound absorbing foam and rubber insulation
	rubber cushioned sealed ball bearings
	non-marking rubber tires

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Emissions - Air quality

	Standard filters can distribute particles (doubling particles in air after vacuuming)
	central air systems emit particles outside
	canister and upright need HEPA (0.3 microns) or ULPA (0.1 microns) filters, caution that most filters are too small to do this effectively
	Filter media surface area is critical for long term function
	Multi stage filters can reduce clogging and increase life of the high efficiency filters

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Durability

	Will noise increase radically over time? (bearings (rather than bushings), types of belts, balance maintenance)
	Will efficiency of filtration be stable? (key item is surface area of filter media)
	Higher surface area of filter media will last longer, as will multi-stage filtration
	Sealed Ball bearings (rubber booted or set) are more long lived than exposed bearings or bushings in a power head and motors
	Motor armatures should be sealed from incoming warm, dirty air
	Computer balancing can reduce vibration and noise, extending the low noise life of the vacuum
	Cogged belts are considered more durable than plain rubber belts
	Large motors should be cooled with a separate stream of air from a separate fan (bypass colling) rather than cooled with air through the vacuum draw (flow through cooling)

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Body Style

Central

	Central
	EPA recommends central vacuums with exterior venting for homes, schools and offices
	easier with new construction
	vent to outside
	higher vacuum power due to larger motors (3-6 X)
	caution with noise at attachment points

Is there a loud noise when you attach a cleaner head hose into the outlet?

Central vacuum in portable cart

	Same power as central units, motor mounted in large sound proofed cart.
	Can use in existing unit, assuming the cart can access areas
	Since motor is off when you attach the hose, avoid attachment noise

Canister and Upright styles

Canister

	EPA recommends HEPA or better filter
	more powerful motor (watch models for noise)
	Keeps motor farther from infant bed

Upright

	HEPA or better
	compact and convenient
	large air passages reduce resistance to move lots of air at lower power

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How do you select?

	New or current unit?
	Cleaning staff preference
	Power Head needed
	Budget
	Question of durability

Links

Examples of Central Vac (Regular and cart based) models

Manufacturer	Model	Decibel rating	Particulate exhaust emission	Body type	Power rating	Notes
M.D. Manufacturing	Model S3	62-68 dB	5 stage filtration, disposable paper filter (changed twice per year), outside venting available	2- 5.7" bypass Lamb motors,12 gallon capacity, 3 stage, acoustically insulated motors	120"water lift, 197 CFM, 764 Airwatts, for areas up to 20,000 sq.ft.	Stealth power head,** cog belt, available quilted hose sock for wand, crushproof hose with smooth interior bore, 30' plus hose
M.D. Manufacturing	Model S5	62-68 dB	5 stage filtration, outside venting available	2- 5.7" bypass all metal Lamb motors,12 gallon capacity, 3 stage, acoustically insulated motors	139" waterlift, 191 CFM, 905 Airwatts, for areas up to 20,000 sp.ft.	Stealth power head,** cog belt, available quilted hose sock for wand, crushproof hose with smooth interior bore, 30' plus hose
M.D. Manufacturing	Cartmaster with Silentmaster power unit	68 dB at motor, 55 dB with sound absorbing cart	5 stage filter to 0.3 microns	cart mounted canister with 30 foot hose	120"water lift, 197 CFM, 764 Airwatts, for areas up to 20,000 sq.ft.	long reel of hose can keep suction motor outside cleaning area
Hayden	Premier	not stated, mufflers available for sound suppression of motor	cartridge filtration, reusable filters, cyclone pattern drop (motors above refuse bin), external exhaust	3 stage (Ametek Lamb) bypass motors, 18L dirt canister, LED service indicators, ABS body	147" water lift, 103 CFM Airflow, 585 Airwatts	Super-pack, peripheral indicator of central vac function,hose sock and wand sock available, cog belt, 30' hose
Vacuflo	960	70.9 dB	reusable filters, cyclonic filtration, vented outside	dual motor, 13.5 gallon,	125" waterlift, 232 CFM, 990 Airwatts, up to 18,000 square feet	30' hose, optional hose sock

Examples of Upright models

Manufacturer	Model	Decibel rating	Particulate exhaust emission	Body type	Power rating	Notes
Windsor	Versamatic VSE2/3	67.8 dB	3 stage filtration, 99% at 0.3 microns	upright		14 and 18 inch wide models, common hospital model
Windsor	Sensor SR12, SR15, SR18	69.5 dB	99.9% at 0.3 microns	upright		currently in active study for asthma and allergy
Electrolux	Commercial			upright	200 Airwatts
Hoover	Conquest Commercial	73dB	99% at 5 microns with optional microfilter	upright		currently in active study ofr asthma and allergy
Lindhaus	HEALTHCAREpro HEPA 14	67.7-68.7 dB	5 stage filtration (last stage hospital grade Filtrete) plus HEPA filter option, completely sealed system, 98.28% at 0.3 micron without HEPA, 99.97% at 0.3 micron with HEPA	upright, two stage motor	77" waterlift, 88 CFM	rubber booted ball bearings and computer balance of brush to reduce noise and increase lifetime, cog drive belt, 5000 rpm

Examples of Canister models

Manufacturer	Model	Decibel rating	Particulate exhaust emission	Body type	Power rating	Notes
Electrolux Euroclean	Panther UZ930 S2	49-52 dB at low speed, 71dB at full speed	NA	canister, no power head	14 kPa (2 psi at nozzle)(56 " waterlift) and 51 CFM at low speed; 23 kPa (3.3 psi at nozzle) (92 " waterlift) and 74 CFM (35 l /s)at high speed
Electrolux Euroclean	Ergoclean UZ 964	59-76 dB	optional iota filter bags* rated at 99.0% at 0.5 microns	backpack canister (3 kg)	18.5 kPa (2.7 psi) (75 " waterlift) at nozzle
M.D. Manufacturing	Cartmaster with Silentmaster power unit	68 dB at motor, 55 dB with sound absorbing cart	5 stage filter to 0.3 microns	cart mounted canister with 30 foot hose	120"water lift, 197 CFM, 764 Airwatts, for areas up to 20,000 sq.ft.	long reel of hose can keep suction motor outside cleaning area
Nilfisk-Advance	GM 80	59 dB at 6.5 feet from motor	3 styles available, Microfilter - 99.5% at 2 microns, HEPA 99.7% at 0.3 microns, ULPA (ultra low penetration) 99.99% at 0.12 microns	industrial canister	102 " waterlift, 87 CFM with Microfilter	sound suppressor available, lots of customized features
Nilfisk-Advance	GD 90C	59 dB at 6.5 feet from motor	ULPA filter 99.99% at 0.12 microns	canister with air tight body seals	75" waterlift, 87 CFM	sound suppressor available, lots of customized features
Lindhaus	HF6 HEPA	62-67 dB	hospital grade 3M Filtrete and HEPA, 98.28% at 0.3 microns	sealed canister	88" waterlift , 126 CFM	power head with rubber booted ball bearings, sound supression and cogged belt

Links to other Vacuum related sites

For an informative site on general info and models see http://www.ristenbatt.com/index.html

MD Manufacturing	http://www.builtinvacuum.com/
	(good info site, industrial, quiet central and cart based)
Windor Industries	http://www.windsorind.com
Hoover	http://www.hoovercompany.com/
Bissell	http://www.bissell.com/
Electrolux	http://www.electroluxusa.com/
Hayden	http://www.hayden.ca/
Vac U Flo	http://www.vacuflo.com/
Miele	http://www.mieleusa.com/
Nilfisk	http://www.pa.nilfisk-advance.com/
	(specialty vacs, good filtration)
Oreck	http://www.oreck.com/
Simplicity	http://www.simplicityvac.com/
Sharp	http://www.sharp-usa.com/products/appliances/vacs.htm
Lindhaus	http://www.lindhaususa.com/

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Definitions

Definitions (based on information from M.D. Manufacturing web page)
http://www.builtinvacuum.com/def.html

VACUUM:

Inches of water lift. (Usually given at 0" opening).

AIRFLOW:

Volume of air moved, measured as cubic feet per minute (CFM). Usually given at 2" opening.

WATTS:

Electrical power consumption of the motor.

AIR WATTS:

CFM X VAC/8.5 "Cleanability Rating"

AIRFLOW CALCULATION:

	CFM = 13.35 d� (square root) VAC in H 2 O"
	Where:	d - Diameter of orifice plate (restriction)
		vac - Inches of water lift

	*	Vacuum must be corrected before being put into equation. To correct, temperature and barometric pressure must be accounted for.

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