public clean air spaces

If you can't escape the smoke in your own home or office, spend some time in a public indoor space that has filtered air. Even a small amount of time in clean air each day during a smoke event will help to keep you healthy.  Use the smoke as a time to catch up on reading in your local library, see a movie, go to a museum, or indoor concert. 

Not all indoor spaces have clean air. Sometimes, indoor air can be just as bad as outside. By asking the right questions, you can find out which indoor spaces have clean air. See the Guidelines for Indoor Filtration infographic (coming soon).
 What to ask:
  • Do you keep windows and doors shut?
  • What is the MERV rating of the filters in your central air system?
  • Do you run your system on recirculate when the smoke is bad, to prevent outside air from getting inside?
Good Answer
  • Yes, as much as possible (If a businesses needs to open windows to cool their building at night - we recommend windows are shut in the morning and a filtration system is running for an hour before people arrive)
  • MERV 13 or higher (There is some benefit with filters rated as low as a MERV 8 as long as the air system is run on recirculate and the filters are replaced FREQUENTLY) 
  • Yes, recirculate is on when air quality outside is designated "unhealthy"
*Whenever systems are switched to recirculate, carbon dioxide levels should be monitored.
If the location does not have air conditioning, it is important to find out whether the heating system can blow unheated air on recirculate - if this is done for an hour or more every morning after shutting all windows and doors, the (MERV13+) filter may be able to catch many of the unhealthy particles.

Remember that filters and pre-filters must be replaced more often during smoke events.

Encourage your office building or favorite public indoor spaces to be prepared for wildfire smoke and to provide clean air!
To learn more about MERV ratings and central air systems during wildfire smoke click here.