Indoor Air Quality FAQs and Expert Answers

Direct Barrier Discharge (DBD) bipolar ionisation: releases positive and negative ions into the airstream. These ions actively neutralise airborne pathogens, VOCs, odours, mould, and fine particulates - both in the air and on surfaces - rather than simply filtering or diluting them. This significantly improves indoor air quality (IAQ)

ASHRAE 62.1 IAQP is a performance-based ventilation pathway that allows compliance by controlling contaminant concentrations instead of prescribing fixed outdoor air volumes. When proven air purification is used, IAQP enables safer, more efficient HVAC design - especially in hot climates like the GCC. This results in superior indoor air quality management.

No. Air purification complements ventilation and filtration. It actively reduces contaminants that filtration alone cannot capture and allows ventilation to be optimised rather than oversized. The result is better indoor air quality with less energy use.

Independently tested results show DBD BPI HVAC air purification can reduce: • Bacteria (up to 99%) • Viruses (including Human Coronavirus 229E) • Mould spores • VOCs • Ultrafine and fine particles • Odours and allergens

AtmosAir is engineered to scale across entire buildings, saturating indoor spaces with controlled ion levels to continuously neutralize airborne contaminants rather than treating air only at single points. This significantly enhances indoor air quality management.

DBD BPI actively cleans air within occupied spaces. Bi-polar ions are distributed through HVAC supply air and interact directly with contaminants where people live, work, and gather - not just inside duct work or air-handling units. As a result the indoor air quality where people breathe (IAQ) is significantly enhanced.

AtmosAir is proven infrastructure. It has been deployed globally for over 20 years across to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) IN hospitals, airports, offices, schools, and hospitality environments and is supported by extensive independent testing and validation.

UV systems are reactive technologies. They only work when air passes close enough to the UV lamp for long enough exposure. Key differences: • UV does not treat air in occupied spaces • UV is ineffective against VOCs and odours • UV requires air to return to the AHU DBD BPI works continuously as an indoor air quality management system in the occupied zone. In many healthcare facilities, UV and DBD BPI are used together - UV for coil cleanliness and DBD BPI for whole-space air quality.

Dielectric Barrier Discharge Bi-Polar Ionization (DBD BPI) is an HVAC indoor air purification technology that introduces controlled levels of positive and negative oxygen ions into the HVAC supply air. These ions: • Neutralise airborne pathogens • Break down VOCs and odours • Reduce fine particulate matter The result is indoor air quality closer to natural “fresh air” conditions - without chemicals or ozone.

No. DBD BPI works with mechanical filtration, not instead of it. By causing particles to agglomerate (stick together), DBD BPI actually improves filter performance, allowing filters to capture larger, heavier particles more effectively and often extend filter life. It is an enhanced indoor air quality management system.

Yes. it works equally well in: • 100% outside air systems • 100% recirculated air systems • Mixed air systems The ions are distributed via supply air and actively clean the occupied space regardless of air system configuration, resulting in enhanced HVAC air purification.

Yes. DBD BPI does not trap particles; it neutralises them. However, because particles agglomerate, filters often: • Capture more effectively • Load more evenly • Last longer

Ionization tubes should not be exposed to temperatures exceeding 150°F (65°C).

Yes.DBD BPI has been tested by: • UL • ETL • MicroChem Laboratories • ATL • Other accredited laboratories This HVAC indoor air purification technology is installed globally across healthcare, aviation, education, offices, and hospitality.

• Confirm the green status light is illuminated • Adjust ion output if needed • Replace tubes if older than 24 months For verification, AtmosAir also offers ion level measurement devices.

No. DBD BPI does not increase the amount of oxygen in the air. Instead, it increases the number of oxygen ions. These ions are created by temporarily energising existing oxygen molecules, making them reactive so they can neutralise airborne pollutants. Once they react, they return to a stable oxygen state.

DBD BPI composite ionization tubes typically remain effective for approximately 24 months. To maintain optimal performance, tubes should be replaced every two years as part of routine system maintenance.

AtmosAir Intelligence can integrate with IAQ sensors that continuously monitor key parameters such as particulates, VOCs, CO₂, humidity, and temperature. This data allows real-time optimisation and ongoing verification of air quality performance. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is consistently managed in this way.

Yes. DBD BPI creates clean indoor air therefore reducing the need for outside air by up to 50%. This saves the energy used by the Air Handling Units.