Concord Carpenter

BuildClean Dust Control System

By Robert Robillard on Dealing With Dust

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Construction Dust Control System

Here at ConcordCarpener.com we often write about ‘best practices” and “contractor professional development.”   We also follow Henry Ford’s advice of, “doing things right when no one is looking.”

Livable Remodeling

When discussing contractor professional development we often refer to the term, “livable remodeling.”    Livable remodeling refers to providing building and remodeling services to your clients in a way that:

• Reduces stress
• Minimizes health risks – such as airborne dust
• Ensures their home is livable during the process
• Details and explains steps in the scope of work process
• Promotes outstanding communication

Dust Problem

If you still use a box fan in the window your “old School” and potentially dangerous!

EPA requirements today not only prohibit the archaic fan in the window, but also require that dust be captured and contained with certified HEPA equipment.  See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, 40 CFR 745, Subpart E regarding lead safe work practices.  Read more on the lead dust in construction.

If best practices for containing dust are not followed, dust tends to migrate to the non-work areas of the house.

One of the biggest nuances for clients is dust, but it’s more than that.  Dust is a real health hazard and can trigger asthma attacks in children and adults, allergic reactions, and problems for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

 The BuildClean Dust Control System

How BuildClean Works

We’ve been using a BuildClean on our remodels for six months and have noticed that using the unit has a major effect at limiting the airborne dust in the work environment.

The unit is easy to set up and use and equally importantly it is super easy to maintain and change the filters.  A Pre-filter captures large dust like sawdust and an internal HEPA filter captures smaller particles.  Ordering filter replacements is easy from their website and we always keep a supply ready at the shop.

The BuildClean unit has two filters in it that clean or “scrub” the air and either recirculate it back into the same room, or remove it to create a negative pressure environment, via a durable exhaust house.  This allows you to use the BuildClean unit to approach dust control projects with two options:

1. As a “HEPA Air Scrubber”
2. Create a “Negative Pressure Environment”

How To Use BuildClean

The BuildClean unit has a four settings:

1. Low
2. Medium
3. High
4. Auto

In auto mode the motor speeds up or down depending on the airflow.  A built in speed control will ramp up motor speed in any speed  as the filters load, maintaining desired CFM air flow.  An LED display in the front of the unit monitors the HEPA filter status and tells the user when to replace filters.

In the side there is a GFI protected outlet that allows you to plug into the BuildClean items such as sanders or other tools.

Professional Advantage

As a professional contractor you should be utilizing best practices when dealing with dust, including using air scrubbers like BuldClean.  In fact by adding a line item to your project proposals, and actively promoting your dust control practices, you’ll gain a competitive edge over your competition.

By promoting BuildClean, and other best practices, in your company brochures, and proposals, your telling clients that you’ve got a dust control program in place, allowing them to achieve that “livable remodeling” we discussed earlier.

Costs

The cost for the system which includes the air scrubber, HEPA filter, and one pre-filter is $980 plus tax, and shipping.  In our estimation, when you consider the cost of one dissatisfied customer or one referral, our system will pay for itself within four projects

• Pre-filters run $23 each. – One filter should last one per job (30 days), they are shaken out when dirty – you can do this multiple times over the course of a job.
• HEPA filter – which should last one year (5,000 hours)– costs $150.
•  8”  dia. x 25’ long Structured Vent Hose w/ Clamp is available for jobs where you would like to create negative pressure.  Cost $65.91.
• NO RISK purchase – the system has a satisfaction guarantee.  Upon use, if the system is not dramatically reducing the amount of airborne dust, you receive a 100% refund of the purchase upon the return of the unit.

Repeat Clients and Referrals

Simply put, construction dust generated during a remodeling project is the number one nuisance issue to both the contractor and homeowner.  Using the BuildClean gives you a competitive edge by dramatically reducing job site dust generated during the remodeling process, increasing homeowner satisfaction and resulting in increased quality and quantity of referrals for your firm.

It’s a fact, that most of the clients I work for care more about communication and cleanliness than the quality of the work.  By presenting a complete dust control plan you are projecting yourself as a professional contractor, who pays attention to the details!

Watch this video . . .

BuildClean Dust Control Advantage Video