Wildfire smoke is a year-round concern for facility managers across North America, not just for buildings near active fires.
During the 2023 Canadian wildfires, NOAA estimated that more than 86 million people across the East Coast and Midwest metropolitan areas were exposed to fine particulate pollution above the federal health standard, with pollutants traveling thousands of miles from the source.
What Wildfire Smoke Does to a Commercial Building
The problem for facility owners and operators is more complicated than keeping smoke out of interior spaces.
Wildfire smoke contains both particles and gases. Roughly 90 percent of the total particulate mass is PM2.5, the fine particles small enough to penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream.
The smoke also carries nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and other harmful molecules that irritate the respiratory tract and eyes and produce strong odors.
The World Meteorological Organization reports that PM2.5 concentrations following extreme fire events often run 10 to 20 times higher than the levels the World Health Organization recommends.
These particles are tiny, typically between 0.05 and 0.4 microns, which makes them harder to capture than most of the airborne particles a commercial building is designed to filter.
A wildfire-specific filtration strategy protects employees and occupants, preserves indoor air quality, and keeps HVAC equipment running.
Why a Standard MERV Filter Is Not Enough on Its Own
A common misconception is that upgrading to a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating will solve the wildfire smoke problem.
MERV ratings measure a filter’s ability to capture particulate matter. They do not account for gases, odors, or molecular contaminants. Even efficient particle filters let many smoke gases and odors pass through.
That said, higher MERV ratings do capture more fine particulate. A MERV 14 filter, for example, captures roughly 90 percent of particulates between 1.0 and 3.0 microns on average.
For wildfire applications, many specifiers recommend a MERV-A rating of 14 or higher, designated as MERV 14/14A.
Combining Particle and Gas Filtration
The best approach for wildfire smoke in commercial buildings combines high-efficiency particulate filtration with gas and molecular filtration.
Particles and gases behave differently and require separate filtration methods. High-efficiency filters handle PM2.5. Molecular filtration uses activated carbon and other media to remove gases, odors, and VOCs. Molecular filtration generally is installed in recirculating airstreams, so contaminants are continually pulled out as indoor air cycles through the system.
One way to do this is with CityCarb combination V-cell filters. These combine particulate and molecular filtration in a single assembly and fit standard 12-inch-deep air handling units. CityCarb filters use two layers of pleated media in an injection-molded housing, with Rapid Adsorption Dynamics (RAD) technology to handle low to moderate gas concentrations.
Each CityCarb filter offers a large media area, long service life, and lower pressure drops than traditional filters. A jointless header gasket creates a sealed connection with minimal leakage. Because they fit in standard AHU frames, facilities can upgrade existing systems without major changes.
Three options are available: CityCarb I, rated MERV 15 (ePM1 70%); CityCarb E, rated MERV 13 (ePM10 80%); and CityCarb CH, developed for environments with high levels of organic acids. Contact a Camfil representative to identify the CityCarb product best suited for your application.
For facilities using panel-filter configurations, CityPleat is an alternative. CityPleat combines particulate and molecular filtration inside a standard pleated panel format, making it a strong retrofit choice for many existing systems.
Choosing Between CityCarb and CityPleat
The choice comes down to HVAC configuration.
CityCarb works best for facilities with 12-inch-deep AHU frames, high dust or gas loads, or a need for extended filter service life.
CityPleat is the better fit for facilities running standard pleated panel-slot configurations that want particulate-plus-molecular filtration without changing the equipment layout.
Options for Larger Facilities
Larger commercial buildings often benefit from supplementing central HVAC filtration with additional air-cleaning units.
This is especially useful in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, institutional buildings, and any facility with large open-floor-plan spaces. Supplemental units add clean-air capacity exactly where occupants spend their time and ease the load on the central HVAC system.
The CamCleaner CC X-Series, introduced for commercial applications in 2026, is designed for these larger environments. The CamCleaner system is a supplemental device that provides particulate and carbon-based filtration in a single unit, handling both particles and gases simultaneously.
CC X-Series units can be integrated into BMS platforms and remotely monitored and controlled through Camfil’s AirImage 2.0 software platform. Facility staff can track indoor air quality and energy usage in real time.
Running HVAC During a Smoke Event
Operating commercial HVAC during a smoke event is very different from the residential recirculation advice given to homeowners.
Most commercial buildings pull in continuous outdoor air. Facility managers need to assess whether they can reduce outdoor air intake as outside smoke levels climb.
Economizer systems deserve particular attention. They are designed to draw in fresh outdoor air, and if left unchecked during a smoke event, they will pull wildfire smoke into occupied spaces.
Building management should maintain a slight positive indoor pressure to limit smoke entry through doors, gaps, and cracks.
Filter installation should be inspected before HVAC systems run hard during a smoke event. Even a high-performing filter cannot protect a building if it is improperly seated, because smoke will bypass gaps around the frame.
Preparation Before the Smoke Arrives
Planning your wildfire smoke response before smoke arrives is far more effective than reacting after the fact.
Filter supplies often run short during major wildfires, so facilities should stock replacement filters year-round.
Facilities should also check their air handling units for proper placement of pressure gauges or measurement ports. This lets staff monitor filter loading and replace filters as needed during prolonged fire activity.
A complete wildfire preparedness plan should include personnel and communication plans, operating procedures for different smoke conditions, defined HVAC settings for various stages of air quality decline, and identified locations for supplemental air cleaners in very large or heavily populated rooms. All of this should align with ASHRAE Guideline 44.
With these principles in place, commercial facilities can limit the impact of wildfire smoke on building occupants, on the systems inside the building, and on day-to-day operations.
Media Contact:
Mark Davidson
Marketing & Technical Materials Manager
Air Filters and Filtration Solutions
Mark.Davidson@camfil.com
+ (314) 566-6185
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