HEPA Filter vs. ULPA Filter: What is the Difference?
HEPA and ULPA Air Filters are both designed to filter and trap tiny air particulates from the airstream by forcing air through the glass microfiber filter media. They are constructed the same way and are both the standard filters used for critical environments. While HEPA and ULPA Air Filters share many similarities, they differ in many ways too. HEPA filters can effectively trap fine particles that are 0.3 µm in diameter or larger, while ULPA filters can trap particles as small as 0.12 µm in diameter making it the ideal air filter for cleanrooms and environments that require more stringent contamination requirements. HEPA can provide an ISO Class 5 and ULPA can provide an ISO Class 3.
Which filter is better?
While ULPA filters may have a higher efficiency that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are superior to HEPA filters. This is mainly due to the reduction of airflow caused by the denser ULPA media. Because of this airflow restriction, there are fewer air changes per hour in any given space. While HEPA filters may catch larger particles the less restrictive media allows more air to be filtered every hour, making HEPA filters ideal for applications where clean air is paramount for healthcare facilities, clean rooms, and data centers.
The National Air Filtration Association’s Definition of HEPA and ULPA Air Filters:
HEPA- High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter). A filter having a minimum efficiency of 99.97% on 0.3-micron particles.
ULPA- Ultra Low Penetration Air (filter). Filters in this category typically have efficiencies of 99.999% on 0.12-micron DOP particles. They may be rated and tested for penetration on other size particles.
|
Filtration Efficiency |
Particles Size |
Testing Requirements |
|
|
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air |
99.97% |
0.3 microns |
Leak and Smoke Test |
|
ULPA: Ultra Low Penetration Air |
99.999% |
0.12 microns |
Leak and Smoke Test |
HEPA Air Flow Capacity
Air Flow Capacity ULPA & HEPA air filter media is made from sub-micron glass fibers formed into high-density paper. They can be built for any special application, and are made from corrugated aluminum separators that permit maximum usage of media at minimum resistance. If needed these HEPA & ULPA Filters can be manufactured with glue bead separator mini pleat.
HEPA Air Filters and ULPA Inline Air Filters
Air Filters, Inc. carries a wide selection of ULPA & HEPA air filters to cover all areas requiring the highest levels of contamination control such as:
- Asbestos Abatement
- Semiconductor
- Electronic
- Food Processing
- Laboratories
- Hospitals
- Pharmaceutical
- Nuclear Power
- And much more.
View Our HEPA Filters
Puracel High Temp HEPA Filters (99.97%, 99.99%, 99.999%)
HEPA Aluminum Box Filters (99.97%, 99.99%, 99.999%)
HEPA Mini Pleat Filters (99.97%, 99.99%, 99.999%)
HEPA V-Cell Filters (99.97%, 99.99%, 99.999%)
View Our HEPA Filter Housings
HEPA Grid Assembly
HEPA Bolt-Lock Housings
HEPA Crank-Lock Housings
| Size H x W x D Nominal | Size H x W x D Exact | Rated Velocity FPM | Initial Resist In. W.G. | Media Square Feet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Std. | H.C. | Std. | H.C. | Std. | H.C. | ||
| 8 x 8 x 6 | 8 x8 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 13.06 | - |
| 12 x 12 x 6 | 12 x 12 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 29.75 | - |
| 12 x 24 x 6 | 12 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 58.75 | - |
| 18 x 24 x 6 | 18 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 88.13 | - |
| 24 x 24 x 6 | 24 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 117.50 | - |
| 24 x 30 x 6 | 24 x 30 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 146.88 | - |
| 24 x 36 x 6 | 24 x 36 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 176.00 | - |
| 24 x 48 x 6 | 24 x 48 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | .50" | - | 235.00 | - |
| 12 x 12 x 12 | 12 x 12 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 57.50 | 69.00 |
| 12 x 24 x 12 | 11 3/8 x 23 3/8 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 106.17 | 127.40 |
| 12 x 24 x 12 | 12 x 24 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 115.00 | 138.00 |
| 18 x 24 x 12 | 18 x 24 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 172.50 | 201.00 |
| 24 x 24 x 12 | 24 x 24 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 218.18 | 261.82 |
| 24 x 24 x 12 | 23 3/8 x 23 3/8 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 230.00 | 276.00 |
| 24 x 30 x 12 | 24 x 30 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | .50" | .60" | 287.50" | 345.00 |
| 99.97% | |||||||
| 8 x 8 x 6 | 8 x 8 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 13.06 | - |
| 12 x 12 x 6 | 12 x 12 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 29.78 | - |
| 12 x 24 x 6 | 12 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 59.75 | - |
| 18 x 18 x 6 | 18 x 18 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 66.09 | - |
| 18 x 24 x 6 | 18 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 88.13 | - |
| 24 x 24 x 6 | 24 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 117.5 | - |
| 24 x 30 x 6 | 24 x 30 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 146.8 | - |
| 24 x 36 x 6 | 24 x 36 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 176.0 | - |
| 24 x 48 x 6 | 24 x 48 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 235.0 | - |
| 24 x 60 x 6 | 24 x 60 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 293.75 | - |
| 24 x 72 x 6 | 24 x 72 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 352.5 | - |
| *30 x 24 x 6 | 30 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 146.88 | - |
| *30 x 30 x 6 | 30 x 30 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 183.59 | - |
| *30 x 36 x 6 | 30 x 36 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 220.3 | - |
| *30 x 48 x 6 | 30 x 48 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 293.75 | - |
| *30 x 60 x 6 | 30 x 60 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 367.19 | - |
| *30 x 72 x 6 | 30 x 72 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 440.6 | - |
| *36 x 24 x 6 | 36 x 24 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 176.25 | - |
| *36 x 30 x 6 | 36 x 30 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 220.3 | - |
| *36 x 36 x 6 | 36 x 36 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 264.4 | - |
| *36 x 48 x 6 | 36 x 48 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 352.5 | - |
| *36 x 60 x 6 | 36 x 60 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 440.6 | - |
| *36 x 72 x 6 | 36 x 72 x 5 7/8 | 175 | - | 1.0" | - | 528.75 | - |
| 12 x 12 x 12 | 12 x 12 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 57.5 | 69.00 |
| 12 x 24 x 12 | 11 3/8 x 23 3/8 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 106.17 | 127.40 |
| 12 x 24 x 12 | 11 3/8 x 23 3/8 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 115.0 | 138.00 |
| 18 x 24 x 12 | 18 x 24 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 172.5 | 207.00 |
| 24 x 24 12 | 23 3/8 x 23 3/8 12 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 218.18 | 261.82 |
| 24 x 24 x 12 | 24 x 24 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 230.0 | 276.00 |
| 24 x 30 x 12 | 24 x 30 x 11 1/2 | 275 | 500 | 1.0" | 1.45" | 287.5 | 345.00 |
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