Norah O’Donnell, CBS News Anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent — DP: Chris Albert/Don Lee

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

The following precautions and items are provided in the studio:

TLDR - THE SHORT VERSION:

  • We have three Alen air purifier units in the studio that filter the air up to 4.3 times per hour (ACH - Air Changes per Hour) when in Turbo mode. The EPA (below) advises “..filtration can be part of a plan to protect people indoors”.

  • Alen states on their website: “In bioaerosol testing by LMS Labs using a live FDA-approved COVID-19 proxy (MS-2 bacteriophage), the Alen BreatheSmart 75i removed over 99% of virus particles from a 1,050 SqFt test chamber within 20 minutes.” https://alen.com/pages/virus-faqs

  • We have two 36,000 BTU Mitsubishi HAVC units which are equipped with Anti-Allergy Enzyme filters that also remove particulate from the air.

  • The windows open and the air can be exchanged using box fans, more below.

  • We follow all CDC and EPA Guidelines for businesses, disinfecting etc (info and links below).

 

THE DETAILS

  • All high touch surfaces are wiped down with EPA approved virus/germ killing surface spray after each shoot. We follow the CDC’s guidelines for workplace cleaning found here: CDC Reopening Guide For Cleaning

  • AIR FILTRATION UNITS: 3x Alen Breathesmart Classic units. Filters bacteria and particles down to 0.3 micron, will completely filter the air 2-5.5 times per hour.

  • HVAC: State of the art new 72,000 BTU Mitsubishi mini-split air-conditioning system (model: MSZ-D36NA-8) with Anti-Allergy Enzyme filters (model: MAC-1415FT-E). Almost silent at 27db.

  • 1x Lasko 20” Box Fans (model #3733) - Circulates up to 2,500 CFM each.

  • There is only one shoot per day in the studio for reduced risk.

  • EPA approved germ killing surface spray is provided in the studio during your shoot.

  • Hand Soap (correct hand washing is MORE effective than hand sanitizer! - CDC article HERE).

  • Hand Sanitizer is provided.

  • There will be no StudiowerksDC staff present during your shoot.

  • Masks rules? Whatever the current DC regs are at the time.

Air Filtration


We’re not scientists, but we’re following the research as closely as possible and doing everything we can to keep everyone safe. We have THREE Alen air purifiers in the studio along with two 36,000 BTU Mitsubishi Mini Split HVAC units with Anti-Allergy Enzyme filters.

The air purifiers in turbo mode should completely filter the studio air 5.5 times per hour based on Alen’s specs.

We suggest running them on Turbo when not rolling, then turn them to a lower speed when you roll.

The math:

  • The studio is: 12,580 cubic feet (34’W x 37’l x 10’h).

  • On Turbo speed the Alen air filters 870 cubic feet of air/min. (290CFM x 3 units = 870CFM.)

  • Thus air in the studio is filtered every 10.75 minutes or 4.3 times an hour (12,580CF/870 = 14.5 min)

    - On Speed 1 which is almost silent it would be 2.14 times per hour. (150CFMx3=450, 12,580CF/450CFM= 28min)
    -     Speed 2 = 2.6 times per hour (185CFM)
    -     Speed 3 = 3.2 times per hour (225CFM)


Mitsubishi MSZ-D36NA-8 Mini Spilt HVAC
Flow rates CFM:
(L)389 (M)639 (H)848 (H.Power)887

EPA WEBSITE ON AIR FILTRATION

“When used properly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space. By itself, air cleaning or filtration is not enough to protect people from exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. When used along with other best practices recommended by CDC and others, filtration can be part of a plan to protect people indoors.”
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19\

FROM ALEN, THE MANUFACTURER:

Can HEPA air purifiers capture COVID-19?

  • Yes. Independent tests show Alen BreatheSmart purifiers can quickly and effectively remove airborne virus particles.

  • In bioaerosol testing by LMS Labs using a live FDA-approved COVID-19 proxy (MS-2 bacteriophage), the Alen BreatheSmart 75i removed over 99% of virus particles from a 1,050 SqFt test chamber within 20 minutes.

  • How can a HEPA air purifier help with virus prevention?

    • YES. True HEPA filtration can effectively capture virus particles, according to 3rd party lab testing. But NO air purifier can completely protect you from a virus.

    • For schools and businesses, HEPA air purifiers are recommended by the CDC and EPA alongside other safety measures as “part of a plan to protect people indoors.”

    • With a heightened focus on prevention, we think air purifiers also support your body’s most important tool for fighting viruses—a healthy immune system.”

  • https://alen.com/pages/virus-faqs

  • Download the BreatheSmart Manual HERE.

Alen Breathesmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier

Alen Breathesmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier

Alen Specs copy.jpg
 

exchanging the air in the studio


If you would like to exchange the air out of the studio use the method below. You could also leave the fan on low speed for a constant air exchange or just leave the windows open (they have bug screens). As for noise, it is pretty easy to remove a constant noise like a fan from your audio in Post with filters like SoundSoap)

Box fan - 2,500 cfm-2.png

  • Lasko Box fan on Speed 3 = 2,500CFM (Cubic Feet/Minute)

  • The studio is 12,580CF (Cubic Feet)

  • It will take around 5 minutes to exchange the air on speed 3.

Obviously we geeked out a little on this stuff, but better more geek than less when it comes to killer viruses, eh?

 
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