Emergency Protection
Wildfire Smoke Protection Calculator
Determine the exact CADR requirements for air purifiers to protect against wildfire smoke. Get emergency-level recommendations based on AQI, smoke intensity, and building characteristics.
Emergency Conditions
Ultra-fine Particles
Health Protection
Wildfire Smoke Conditions
ft
8 ft30 ft
ft
8 ft30 ft
ft
7 ft12 ft
CFM
0 CFM800 CFM
AQI
50 AQI500 AQI
Wildfire Protection Results
1514 CFM
Recommended CADR
59.1 ACH for smoke protection
Insufficient Protection
Current Effectiveness:20%
Smoke Cleanup:20 min
Units Needed:4
Emergency Level:Dangerous
Outdoor AQI: 185 • True HEPA + Activated Carbon
Smoke Infiltration Factors
Current Smoke Threat Level
AQI 185 (Dangerous) with thick smoke intensity. House sealing provides 40% protection from infiltration.
Current Health Risks
Dangerous for vulnerable populations
Respiratory symptoms in healthy adults
Avoid outdoor exposure completely
Immediate Action Required: Wildfire smoke contains ultra-fine particles and toxic gases that can penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream. Protection is critical for health.
Emergency Action Plan
Upgrade to 1514+ CFM air purifier immediately
Consider 4 air purifiers for adequate coverage
Seal air leaks with tape/towels for emergency protection
Turn off HVAC or ensure high-quality filtration
Run air purifiers 24/7 during wildfire events
Wildfire Smoke Characteristics & Filter Requirements
Particle Sizes in Wildfire Smoke
PM2.5: 90% of smoke particles
PM1.0: 70% of smoke particles
PM0.1: 30% ultra-fine particles
Size: 0.01-2.5 microns primarily
Ultra-fine particles penetrate HEPA filters more easily and stay airborne longer.
Chemical Composition
Carbon particles: Primary component
VOCs: Formaldehyde, benzene
PAHs: Carcinogenic compounds
Metals: Lead, mercury traces
Requires both HEPA and activated carbon filtration for complete protection.
Filter Effectiveness
HEPA H13: 99.95% at 0.3 microns
HEPA H14: 99.995% at 0.3 microns
Carbon: Removes gases/odors
Reality: 60-85% effective for smoke
Ultra-fine particles reduce real-world effectiveness below laboratory ratings.
Why Wildfire Smoke Needs Higher CADR
Infiltration Rate: Even well-sealed homes allow 20-40% outdoor air infiltration during wildfire events due to pressure differences and HVAC systems.
Particle Persistence: Ultra-fine smoke particles stay airborne for hours to days, requiring continuous high-volume air processing for removal.
Wildfire Smoke ACH Requirements by Emergency Level
4-6 ACH
AQI 50-100
• Light smoke/haze
• Distant fires
• Monitoring level
• Standard HEPA adequate
6-8 ACH
AQI 100-150
• Visible smoke
• Unhealthy for sensitive
• Enhanced filtration
• Close monitoring
8-12 ACH
AQI 150-200
• Thick smoke
• Unhealthy for all
• High-grade HEPA
• Seal building
12-16 ACH
AQI 200-300
• Very unhealthy
• Heavy smoke
• Multiple units
• Emergency prep
16+ ACH
AQI 300+
• Hazardous conditions
• Extreme smoke
• Maximum protection
• Consider evacuation
Your wildfire protection needs: 59.1 ACH - Emergency/evacuation level
Best Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke Protection
Loading wildfire smoke protection recommendations...
Critical Wildfire Smoke Features
- Ultra-high CADR: 400+ CFM minimum for emergency conditions
- H13/H14 HEPA filters: 99.95%+ efficiency for ultra-fine particles
- Heavy activated carbon: 5+ lbs for toxic gas removal
- Continuous operation: Designed for 24/7 emergency use
Wildfire Smoke Protection Mistakes
- Undersized units: Regular CADR insufficient for smoke emergencies
- HEPA-only filters: Particles + gases require carbon filtration too
- Intermittent use: Smoke particles reaccumulate quickly when off
- Ignoring building sealing: Open windows/doors defeat purification
Emergency Wildfire Smoke Action Plan
Immediate Actions (First 30 minutes):
- • Close all windows, doors, and vents
- • Turn off HVAC or set to recirculate with HEPA
- • Run all air purifiers on maximum speed
- • Seal major air leaks with tape/towels
Sustained Protection (Duration of event):
- • Monitor air purifier performance and replace filters
- • Create designated clean air safe room
- • Use multiple units for large spaces
- • Consider evacuation if protection inadequate
Comprehensive Wildfire Smoke Analysis
Emergency Assessment
Real-time emergency level determination based on AQI and smoke conditions
Infiltration Factors
Account for building sealing, HVAC impact, and smoke penetration
Health Protection
Specialized protection calculations for vulnerable populations
Ultra-fine Particles
Calculations optimized for PM0.1-PM2.5 wildfire smoke particles
Wildfire Smoke Emergency Information
Immediate Threats
- • Ultra-fine particles penetrate deep into lungs
- • Toxic gases (CO, formaldehyde, benzene)
- • Carcinogenic compounds (PAHs)
- • Cardiovascular and respiratory stress
Critical Actions
- • Seal all windows, doors, and vents
- • Turn off HVAC or ensure HEPA filtration
- • Run air purifiers continuously at maximum
- • Create designated clean air room
Filter Requirements
- • H13/H14 HEPA minimum for particles
- • Activated carbon for gases
- • Pre-filter to extend HEPA life
- • Higher CADR than normal calculations