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Aerovex Systems Salon 3-Zone Protection Basics

Aerovex has been the industry leader in air quality and innovation for the salon industry since 2001.

Introduction to Salon 3-Zone Protection

For your employees and clientele, air quality in your salon or studio is more important than ever before. We’re all aware of the risk that exposure to airborne contaminants, including vapors/fumes, dust, pathogens, microorganisms, and viruses pose to all of us.

As a business owner,  you must take action to ensure you’re providing everyone, employees and clients alike, with a safe and comfortable fresh air environment.

Aerovex Salon 3-Zone Protection Packages and Pro Packages make sure you are protecting your salon air to the highest standard. These comprehensive systems not only meet and exceed OSHA standards and IMC codes, they also help you take those extra precautionary measures to ensure everyone’s health and safety. 

Let’s take a deeper look into the three zones and some basic tips that apply to all salons and studios.

What are the Three Zones of Salon Air Quality Protection?

Icon of two purple human figures at a desk inside a blue circle. One figure stands, the other sits, at a salon workstation. A light purple circle surrounds the two figures indicating the breathing zone - a part of the salon 3-zone protection system. Read more at Aerovex Systems (aerovexsystems.com)

The Breathing Zone

Contaminants like nail dust, chemical vapors, and pathogens from salon and studio workstations can spread and cause health issues. Protecting air quality at the source is crucial for respiratory health.

Think of the breathing zone as a beach ball sized sphere directly in front of your mouth and nose from which we take every breath. When working with clients, that sphere includes their breathing space too.

Icon of three stylized purple figures sitting around a table, with a blue circular outline. The scene suggests a workspace with multiple people meant to depict the room zone - the middle zone of the salon 3-zone protection system. The design is simple and uses shades of purple and blue for a harmonious look. Read more at Aerovex Systems (aerovexsystems.com)

The Room Zone

The room zone is your entire workstation area. Whether that is a small, single chair studio, or a large facility with multiple spaces for hair, nails, and lashes.

Approximately 20-25% of dust, vapors, and odors will not be caught by a source capture system because of various levels of crosswind from open windows, open doors, blowing fans, and people moving through work areas, etc.

Icon depicting two purple high-rise buildings of varying heights, enclosed in a blue circular border. The taller building on the left features multiple square windows, while the shorter building on the right has fewer windows. This icon is meant to represent the building zone - the 3rd part to the salon 3-zone protection system. Read more at Aerovex Systems (aerovexsystems.com)

The Building Zone

Every building has ventilation that allows clean air to circulate throughout. That also means airborne contaminants from your business can easily spread into your storage, breakout areas, or neighbor’s facilities.

While you may not be able to influence the building’s entire ventilation, addressing air circulation in and out of your space can make a significant difference for you, and for other businesses in the building.

Taking Action to Preserve Air Quality in the Three Zones

Now that you know about the three zones that make up Salon 3-Zone Protection, let’s take a look at some general ways you can preserve air quality in each area.

“What’s the best way to ventilate a nail salon and ensure safe breathing air? First, understand this… the goal of proper ventilation is NOT to control odors. That’s a huge misunderstanding.
The real goal is to control vapors and tiny dusts, regardless of how nice or bad they smell. Just because there are no strong odors, doesn’t mean the air is safe to breathe. And, just because something has a strong odor, doesn’t mean it’s dangerous to breathe.
In order to most effectively control dusts and vapors, it is important to control them in three different areas or zones in the salon.”

Doug Schoon – Internationally recognized salon industry scientist, chemist, and educator (schoonscientific.com)

Zone 1: Protection at the Breathing Zone

Your workstations are the source of the majority of vapors, dust, and particulates in the air. While some of the debris created will simply fall to the table, much more is sent into the air around the workstation and steadily spreads around the room. Open windows and doors or blowing fans are not proper salon ventilation control measures – they only contribute to the movement of vapors and debris.

Best practice advice: Install a source extraction system to capture contaminants as they are created. Aerovex has systems specifically designed for nail, hair, and lash environments.

Actions you can take right now in the Breathing Zone:

  • Use trash cans with self-opening lids. Cotton swabs and chemical waste still release vapors even after disposal. 
  • Keep all product containers tightly closed when not in use. 
  • Thoroughly sanitize workstations. Clean down after every customer and sanitize. 
  • Use the right masks. Use an N95 rated dust mask to prevent nail dust inhalation exposure. Surgical style masks do Not! Airwave 4800 N95 rated masks are also available which filter out product vapors and fumes.
  • Install suitable filtration and ventilation at the workstation. 
  • Source Capture System filters should contain an activated carbon filter with a minimum of 2 pounds of activated carbon. 
  • Regularly clean and change any filters in line with manufacturer advice.
The Whisper source capture system with a flexible black hose extending from a white rectangular base on wheels. Ideal for salon use, it features a digital display and controls. The brand name "Whisper" is visible, and the hose efficiently funnels air for superior purification. Read more at Aerovex Systems (aerovexsystems.com)
Whisper Source Capture System

Book your free clean air consultation!

Aerovex has helped over 14,000 salons across the country improve their air quality by tackling the challenges of the three danger zones: Source, Room, and Building. Our team is up to date on the latest industry standards and regulations and ready to help you become clean air certified.

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Zone 2: Protection in the Room

The room that contains your workstations is unsurprisingly the next hardest-hit area of your salon, with the natural movement of employees and clients adding to disturbances in the air that pull dust and vapors away from the source. There will still be 20-25% of nail dust, vapors and odors that will not be caught by the source capture systems because of various levels of cross wind (open window or door, or blowing fan, etc.) so it’s vital you protect the rest of your space with an air purifier specifically designed for salon environments. Ensuring your room has clean air will make everyone feel more comfortable and safe.

Best practice advice: Install a room air purifier to pull particulates and harmful substances from a wider area. Aerovex’s award winning The One That Works™ with PCO technology is the perfect option for any salon or studio application.

Actions you can take right now in the Room Zone:

  • Ensure cleaning practices cover the room.
  • Partitioning for stations can reduce the spread of airborne substances.
  • Install suitable filtration & ventilation for the room size.
  • Avoid using ozone‐generating air-cleaning devices.
  • Use professional HEPA room air cleaners; avoid devices designed for home use and only use air cleaners in conjunction with a source capture system.
  • Regularly clean and change any filters in line with manufacturer advice.
The One That Works™ Salon Room Air Purifier with PCO Technology

Zone 3: Protection at the Building

The building should not be overlooked when considering air purification systems. Your building’s ventilation system draws air from outside, heats & cools the air and then moves it all around your salon, from one room to another. This can have dramatic impact on your air quality throughout your building. Prevent vapors/odor and other contaminants from spreading to adjacent rooms, and other businesses that are connected through your building ventilation system. Ensure all areas of your salon and surrounding businesses have great air quality.

Best practice advice: Install appropriate filters into the building’s current ventilation system. Aerovex’s Dust Plus™ HVAC filter is an easy-to-use solution that you can install yourself into existing building ventilation. When you order through us, we will work with you directly to make sure the proper filter size is ordered.

Actions you can take right now in the Building Zone:

  • Where possible, salons should have their own ventilation systems and avoid sharing with adjacent businesses.
  • Turn on all general ventilation systems (HVAC) during work hours.
  • Equip each room with suitable ventilation.
  • Keep doors closed in non-work areas.
  • Implement a sanitation schedule.
  • Regularly clean and change any filters in line with manufacturer advice.
Dust Plus ®  HVAC Filter

Picking the Right 3-Zone Solution for Your Business

Armed with the basics on a good Salon 3-Zone Protection system, it’s time to pick out the best solution for your business! Aerovex Systems offers various products and packages to get you just what you need. And, if you need a little help figuring out what is best for you and your location, contact us for a free system consultation.

Want to learn more about your specific environment? Check out our in-depth guides to help you learn more: