Question 1

How does air purification work?

Accepted Answer

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)

Question 2

What is ASHRAE 62.1 IAQP and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Does HVAC air purification replace ventilation or filtration?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What contaminants does DBD BPI reduce?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

What makes DBD BPI suitable for large buildings?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Does DBD BPI clean the air in occupied spaces or only in ducts?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Is DBD BPI a proven technology or experimental?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How is DBD BPI different from UV light systems?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What is DBD Bi-Polar Ionization?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Does DBD BPI replace HVAC filters?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Is DBD BPI effective in 100% outside air systems?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Will I still need to change my HVAC filters?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

What temperatures can DBD BPI tubes tolerate?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Is DBD BPI independently tested?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How do I know my AtmosAir system is working?

Accepted Answer

• 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.

Question 16

Does the DBD BPI ionization system increase oxygen levels in the air?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

How often should DBD BPI ionization tubes be replaced?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

How is indoor air quality monitored?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

Does IAQ save energy?

Accepted Answer

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.

IAQ - FAQs And Expert Answers