DESIGN TOOLS

You Are Here: UAF.com >> Design Tools >> How To Spec An Air Filter

How To Spec An Air Filter

Numerous considerations come into play when designing custom air filters for OEM applications. The following should be reviewed early in the planning process:

Determine the filtration performance requirements.
Match filters to air-moving (cfm) requirements.
Analyze the space available for filters.
Specify standards and specifications (NEBS, ETSI, CE, UL 60950 (formerly UL 1950), etc.)

Filter Selection Procedure

Many thermal design engineers use the following steps when designing an air filter:

Select air filter dimensions (length, width, thickness).
Calculate airflow velocity in linear ft./min. using air volume rating of fan in cfm divided by surface area of air filter in sq. ft. (i.e. 200 cfm./0.50 sq. ft. = 400 fpm)
Select disposable or reusable media.
Use media initial resistance vs. face velocity data/curves for preferred media. Typically, initial resistance is 0.10" wg (water gauge) or less.
Select appropriate air filter model and frame thickness to accept selected media thickness. For example: Disposable, white UFM-50 media fits in any frame thickness (0.30", 0.43" or 0.50"). The cleanable/reusable Quadrafoam in 0.25 thickness fits 0.30" and 0.43" thick frames and 0.50" thick Quadrafoam fits in 0.50" thick frame.)
Select a media color. Quadrafoam -green, gray or black. Polyester - white
Determine if any handles or other fixtures are necessary for installation / removal.
Prepare air filter drawing.

Click here to order your free made-to-spec prototype

FREE PROTOTYPES. FIVE DAYS OR LESS.

UAF's online tool makes
getting a custom air filter prototype quick and easy.

GET STARTED >>

Contact UAF | Links | Legal Info | Sitemap

QUADRAFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

QUADRAFOAM II FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.03 (7,46)	0.09 (22,38)	0.16 (39,78)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	63	83	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

EMI VENT PANEL
FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA

Models
HC-2X, Windowpane 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.125 in (3,18)
Thick Foam Media

Models
HC-3, WINDOWPANE 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.25in (6,35mm)
Thick Foam Media

Models
HC-5X 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.50in (12,70mm)
Thick Foam Media

Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]

0.005
(1,24)

0.007
(1,74)

0.01
(2,49)

Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992
at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

DUAL EMI AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

DUAL EMI AIR FILTERS - POLYESTER FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models PE-2X, PE-3, PE-5, PE-1025-B, PFPE-25, Windowpane UFM-25 -- 0.25 In (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media	Models PE-3, PE-5X, PE-1050-B, PFPE-50, Windowpane UFM-50 / UPR -- 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media		Models PE-5X, PE-1050-B, Windowpane UFM-100 -- 1.00 in (25,40 mm) Thick Foam Media
UFM-25	UFM-50	UPR	UFM-100	UPR
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.07 (17,41)	0.10 (24,86)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
74	80	83	89	83
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

DUAL EMI AIR FILTERS - UNIFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	63	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

DUAL EMI AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM II FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.03 (7,46)	0.09 (22,38)	0.16 (39,78)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	63	83	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

WINDOWPANE AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FS-XX25 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FS-XX50 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FS-XX12 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

WINDOWPANE AIR FILTERS - POLYESTER FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FS-XX25 UFM-25 -- 0.25 In (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media	Models FS-XX50 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media		Models FS-XX12 1.00 in (25,40 mm) Thick Foam Media
UFM-25	UFM-50	UPR	UFM- 100	UPR
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.07 (17,41)	0.10 (24,86)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
74	80	83	89	83
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

WINDOWPANE AIR FILTERS - UNIFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FS-XX25 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FS-XX50 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FS-XX12 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	63	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

WINDOWPANE AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM II FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FS-XX25 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FS-XX50 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FS-XX12 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.03 (7,46)	0.09 (22,38)	0.16 (39,78)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	63	83	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

PYROCIDE VENT PANELS
FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA

Models
HC-2X, Windowpane 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.125 in (3,18)
Thick Foam Media

Models
HC-3, WINDOWPANE 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.25in (6,35mm)
Thick Foam Media

Models
HC-5X 0.125 in (3,18) x 0.50in (12,70mm)
Thick Foam Media

Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]

0.006
(1,49)

0.008
(1,99)

0.01
(2,49)

Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992
at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

FLEX-FRAME AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

FLEX-FRAME AIR FILTERS - UNIFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	63	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

FLEX-FRAME AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM II FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.05 (12,44)	0.07 (17,41)	0.03 (7,46)	0.09 (22,38)	0.16 (39,78)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	63	83	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

POLYESTER AIR FILTERS FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models PE-2X, PE-3, PE-5, PE-1025-B, Polyfold, Windowpane UFM-25 -- 0.25 In (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media	Models PE-3, PE-5X, PE-1050-B, Polyfold, Windowpane UFM-50 / UPR -- 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media		Models PE-5X, PE-1050-B, Polyfold, Windowpane UFM-100 -- 1.00 in (25,40 mm) Thick Foam Media
UFM-25	UFM-50	UPR	UFM- 100	UPR
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.07 (17,41)	0.10 (24,86)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)	0.14 (34,81)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
74	80	83	89	83
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

POLYFOLD AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models PF-1025, PF-2525, PF-4525, PF-6025 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models PF-1050, PF-2550, PF-4550, PF-6050 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models PF-1012, PF-2512, PF-4512, PF-6012 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.04 (9,95)	0.05 (12,44)	0.10 (24,87)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.25 (62,16)	0.03 (7,46)	0.10 (24,87)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

POLYFOLD AIR FILTERS - POLYESTER
FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA

Models
PFPE-25
UFM-25 -- 0.25 In (6,35 mm)
Thick Foam Media

Models
PFPE-50
UFM-50 / UPR -- 0.50 in (12,70 mm)
Thick Foam Media

Models
PFPE-100
UFM-100 -- 1.00 in (25,40 mm)
Thick Foam Media

UFM-25

UFM-50

UFM-100

Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]

0.05
(12,44)

0.09
(22,38)

0.12
(29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)

Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992
at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

POLYFOLD AIR FILTERS - UNIFOAM FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models PF-1025, PF-2525, PF-4525, PF-6025 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models PF-1050, PF-2550, PF-4550, PF-6050 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models PF-1012, PF-2512, PF-4512, PF-6012 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.04 (9,95)	0.05 (12,44)	0.10 (24,87)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.25 (62,16)	0.03 (7,46)	0.10 (24,87)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

POLYFOLD AIR FILTERS - QUADRAFOAM II FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models PF-1025, PF-2525, PF-4525, PF-6025 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models PF-1050, PF-2550, PF-4550, PF-6050 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media			Models PF-1012, PF-2512, PF-4512, PF-6012 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	10 PPI	30 PPI	45 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.04 (9,95)	0.05 (12,44)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.10 (24,87)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	66	80	63	83	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.

UNIFOAM AIR FILTERS FILTRATION PERFORMANCE DATA
Models FF-2X, FF-3, FF-5, FF-1025-B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.25 in (6,35 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-5X, FF-1050B, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.50 in (12,70 mm) Thick Foam Media				Models FF-2X, Windowpane, Flex-Frame, Dual/EMI 0.125 in (3,18 mm) Thick Foam Media
10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	10 PPI	25 PPI	45 PPI	60 PPI	45 PPI	80 PPI
Inital Resistance[in inches (Pascals) water gauge]
0.01 (2,49)	0.03 (7,46)	0.07 (17,41)	0.12 (29,84)	0.03 (7,46)	0.08 (19,89)	0.16 (39,78)	0.25 (62,16)	0.04 (9,95)	0.12 (29,84)

Average Synthetic Dust Weight Arrestance (percent)
38	63	80	82	63	83	91	91	65	81
Tests performed according to ASHRAE Standard 52.1 -1992 at 300 feet per minute (1,53 m/s) face velocity.