Abstract

This study aimed to address noise issues and concerns regarding contaminant re-entry in temporary negative pressure isolation rooms equipped with portable negative pressure units. To achieve this, we developed low-noise integrated portable HEPA filter unit and separated unit, in which fan and filter components were divided. We then evaluated their performance in both a laboratory facility and a simulated chamber, comparing the existing integrated unit currently used in healthcare facilities. Results showed the newly developed low-noise integrated unit significantly reduced noise levels compared to the existing integrated unit. The separated unit exhibited similar noise levels to the low-noise integrated unit at lower airflow rates but exhibited higher noise levels compared to the integrated unit as airflow increased. The separated unit also exhibited more significant contaminant re-entry, with lower tracer gas concentrations observed in the patient room and hallway compared to the integrated unit during the chamber experiment.