How to Filter the Air in Your Gym for the Safety and Comfort of Your Members | EP Martial Arts
It’s been an extremely challenging year for our martial arts academy and for the whole martial arts, gym and fitness industry.
We have been trying to comply with the requirements of the the Rhode Island State Health Department, spending money to comply at the same time we’re shut down by the state.
Through all this our goals never changed. We always made the best training, challenging but safe, our priority for our students and instructors.
We are well aware (My Business Partner, Sifu Ty Wesley and I both work in the medical field) of the risks associated with exposure to Covid-19. We have spent the last 8 years trying to create a culture and reputation for providing a safe training environment. The last thing we want to happen is for a student to get Covid.
We have followed all the state guidelines. We had two surprise inspections in the last few months with excellent scores each time.
We require everyone to sign in for possible contact tracing, our class density is 150 Sq. Feet or greater per student. Each student signs a waiver each class stating they have no fevers or Covid symptoms and have not been exposed. We have plenty of hand sanitizer on hand, everyone wears masks at all times. All equipment is disinfected after each use and is not shared. We use a fogger to disinfect the school daily.
In addition to meeting the guidelines required by the state, we came up with a new way to improve safety by improving air quality in the gym.
I read an article by Katy McLaughlin in the December 9th issue of The Wall Street Journal about how air quality is becoming an important factor in real estate. In the article, “Clean Air, The Next Luxury Apartment Perk”, Merv 13 and 14 filters are mentioned as a means to offer a healthier indoor environment to buyers.
According to the manufacturer: “Hospital Grade Merv 13 synthetic media attracts and captures airborne particles or allergens less than one micron in size, such as pollen, fine dust, pet dander. Merv 13 also captures bacteria, virus carrying particles, mold spores and smoke.”
These filters along with good ventilation were recommended in a separate WSJ article titled: “Key to Preventing Covid-19 Indoors; Ventilation”, by Caitlin McCabe, September 01, 2020. “Reopening schools and businesses should upgrade air systems, open windows and take other measures to ensure clean air, scientists say”.
I bought a box of 20x20 Merv 13 filters they cost about $40 on Amazon for 16 filters. I bought 4 20x20 box fans for about $30 each and strapped the filters to the fans and mounted them on four shelves around the gym, utilizing existing fans to create a circular air flow which helps bring in air from outside. Total investment around $250.
Air circulation and fresh air are fundamental to Covid protection. We keep our fans on with Merv 13 filters, and we use the heat along with open windows to regulate the temperature during classes.
The Merv 13 filters improve our air quality and help us provide a safe environment for our students and instructors to train in.
I would be happy to assist any individuals or businesses who want to use the same approach at home or in their gyms.
Set up a hospital grade filtration system without spending a hospital grade fortune!
Please email me with any questions or comments at: bart@kravmagaprovidence.com
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Bart Axelrod is a Krav Maga instructor at EP Martial Arts in East Providence RI and a paramedic in the Boston area.
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