Movie Terms Wiki Filmmaking

HEPA Scrubber

Portable air purifier with high-efficiency filtration used to reduce aerosol load on stages and locations.


Overview

A HEPA scrubber pulls room air through a high-efficiency particulate air filter, removing aerosols that can carry respiratory viruses and dust. On soundstages and in cramped practical locations, these units supplement HVAC systems to improve air changes per hour (ACH) without excessive noise that would contaminate production sound.

Deployment on Set

  • Sizing: Calculate units to achieve target ACH based on room volume; overspec when fog/haze is used.
  • Placement: Position to create circulation without blowing directly across talent; avoid microphone capture zones.
  • Noise Management: Choose low-sone units; baffle with acoustic blankets during takes; ramp to high between takes.
  • Maintenance: Replace filters per manufacturer schedule; log dates; avoid ozone-generating devices.

Outcomes and Side Benefits

Cleaner air lowers illness-related downtime and reduces particulates that irritate eyes and lungs under heavy lighting loads. Visual-effects teams benefit when dust contamination in plates decreases.

  • COVID officer, Zone-A testing, ventilation audit, CO2 monitoring.

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