Nail Salon Ventilation

Skip to content

Call us (800) 259-2535

Chat With Us

Free Shipping USA & Canada

Financing Options

Get $200 Off Portable|Floor-Mount Systems on Select Color Options!
Get $200 Off Portable|Floor-Mount Systems on Select Color Options!

HealthyAir® Ventilation

For Nail Salons

Need help selecting the best Nail Salon Ventilation System for your salon?

Contact us and we'll gladly help you identify the best solution for you.

Call us 800-259-2535
Schedule a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to us for additional
information and personalized assistance.

How do HealthyAir Source Capture Systems work?

HealthyAir Source Capture Systems with patented eHEPA filtration technology offer all the benefits of an advanced room air purifier while providing targeted precision to effectively extract airborne contaminants at the source of emission where the concentration of these harmful contaminants is highest.

By targeting the source of emission, our systems effectively protect you by extracting harmful substances before they reach your respiratory system (breathing zone - nose, throat and lungs) and sensory organs (eyes and skin).

As contaminated air is captured it is passed through the unit in a multi-stage filtration process that implements the 5 filtration methods of Sieving, Direct Impact, Inertial Impaction, Diffusion, and Electrostatic. 

What type of ventilation is needed for a nail salon?

New and existing nail salons in US states that adopt International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2015-20121 require the use of Source Capture Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems, such as HealthyAir Source Capture Systems.

Section 502.20 Manicure and Pedicure Stations of Chapter 5, titled Exhaust Systems, states that manicure and pedicure stations shall be provided with an exhaust system in accordance with Table 403.3.1.1.

Chapter 4 Section 403, titled Mechanical Ventilation, contains Table 403.3.1.1 that specifies the minimum ventilation rates for nail salons.

Table 403.3 requires nail salons to have a source capture system at each manicure and pedicure station (nail station) that extracts a minimum exhaust rate of 50 cfm at each station.

Manicure tables and pedicure stations not provided with factory-installed exhaust inlets shall be provided with exhaust inlets, such as those of provided by HealthyAir Source Capture Systems, located not more than 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally and vertically from the point of chemical application.

The exhaust system for manicure and pedicure stations shall have controls that operate the system continuously when the space is occupied.

Based on the definition of a source capture local exhaust ventilation system, the exhaust from a station in a nail salon is required to capture the air contaminates at their source and to exhaust such contaminates to the outdoor atmosphere (HealthyAir Source Capture Systems term this as Outside Ventilation).

Where one or more required source capture systems operate continuously during occupancy, the exhaust rate from such systems shall be permitted to be applied to the exhaust flow rate required by Table 403.3.1.1 for the nail salon.

View IMC Compliant Source Capture Systems

What is Source Capture?

Source capture describes dust and fume collection practices that are point solutions. They collect dust and particulates at the source, preventing them from exposing workers, damaging equipment and threatening regulatory compliance

What are the benefits of using Source Capture Systems?

Source Capture Systems are efficient air cleaning machines because they target the source of emission and treat a smaller volume of highly concentrated contaminated air, thereby preventing airborne contaminants from spreading into the general air space.

Additionally, when properly used source capture systems reduce exposure to airborne contaminants by collecting these substances before they reach the sensory systems of the individual.

What is Outside Ventilation Local Exhaust Ventilation?

HealthyAir Source Capture Systems are engineering for Outside Ventilation also know as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).

Outside Ventilation is an engineering system designed to reduce employee exposure to airborne contaminants (dust,
mist, fume, vapor, gas) in the workplace by capturing the emission at source and transporting it to a
safe emission point or to a filtration system.

All HealthyAir Source Capture Systems meet outside ventilation compliance requirements specified in the IMC nail salon ventilation code.

What is the setup process for HealthyAir Portable Systems when setup for Recirculating Ventilation?

HealthyAir Systems are essentially ready to operate out-of-the box and require minimal setup when used as portable air cleaning machines.

Setup of portable units is simple.

  1. Unbox the unit
  2. Screw on the caster wheels
  3. Attach the extraction hose
  4. Remove the plastic wrapping from the filter
  5. Plug the unit into standard wall electrical outlet to power and begin operating

Setup of portable units takes approximately 15-20 min and the only tool required is the screw driver that comes with the unit.

What is the installation process for HealthyAir Floor-Mount units setup for Outside Ventilation?

HealthyAir floor-mount units are essentially ready to operate out-of-the box and require minimal setup when used as outside ventilation local exhaust systems.

Setup of floor-mount units is simple.

  1. Unbox the unit
  2. Open the outlet port to screw on the outlet flange
  3. Screw on to secure the Base Plate
  4. Attach the extraction hose
  5. Remove the plastic wrapping from the filter
  6. Set the unit in the desired location
  7. Connect the exhaust duct (previously installed at the facility) to the outlet flange
  8. Plug the unit into standard wall electrical outlet to power and begin operating

Setup of floor-mount units takes approximately 20-30 min and the only tool required is the screw driver that comes with the unit.

Note that, the installation of the exhaust duct such that it is available to connect to the unit is the most involved task in the overall installation process. This work is typically done by a locally licensed HVAC or general contractor.

What is the installation process for HealthyAir Ceiling-Mount units setup for Outside Ventilation?

HealthyAir ceiling-mount units are mostly ready to operate out-of-the box. They do not require much assembly, however they must be properly installed by a licensed professional.

Setup of ceiling-mount units generally requires:

  1. Unbox the unit
  2. Screw the eye-bolt on to the back of the unit to suspend the unit from a secure ceiling structure
  3. Determine the location and setup the proper means of anchoring the unit to the ceiling
  4. Raise, secure and suspend the unit from the anchors such that the unit is flush with the drop ceiling
  5. Hard-wire the unit with the appropriate circuit breaker installed
  6. Install a transition box on the outlet port of the unit and install the blank-off plates on the recirculation return vents to direct the exhaust to the outlet port
  7. Connect the transition to the exhaust duct
  8. Attach the extraction hose
  9. Power and begin operating

Setup of ceiling-mount units takes approximately 1-2 hours.

Note that, the installation of ceiling-mount units is typically done by a locally licensed HVAC contractor or electrician.

What is the installation process for HealthyAir Ceiling-Mount units setup for Recirculating Ventilation?

HealthyAir ceiling-mount units are mostly ready to operate out-of-the box. They do not require much assembly, however they must be properly installed by a licensed professional.

Setup of ceiling-mount units generally requires:

  1. Unbox the unit
  2. Screw the eye-bolt on to the back of the unit to suspend the unit from a secure ceiling structure
  3. Determine the location and setup the proper means of anchoring the unit to the ceiling
  4. Raise, secure and suspend the unit from the anchors such that the unit is flush with the drop ceiling
  5. Hard-wire the unit with the appropriate circuit breaker installed
  6. Attach the extraction hose
  7. Power and begin operating

Setup of ceiling-mount units takes approximately 1-2 hours.

Note that, the installation of ceiling-mount units is typically done by a locally licensed HVAC contractor or electrician.

Managing Chemical Exposure and Health Risks

HealthyAir® Source Capture Systems are engineered to meet salon ventilation code requirements and these systems are currently used to improve indoor air quality to protect the health of employees and customers in thousands of nail salons in the USA, Canada and overseas.

Inadequate ventilation exposes nail technicians to hazardous chemicals. About 30 such chemicals, including toluene and formaldehyde, are commonly found in nail products, leading to immediate discomfort and potential long-term health issues.

The risk varies based on exposure and susceptibility. Implementing Source Capture and Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems, following OSHA guidelines, reduces exposure and ensures a safer environment.

Nail Salon IMC Ventilation Code Compliance

All HealthyAir® Source Capture® system fully comply with, and exceed, IMC Ventilation Code requirements for Nail Salons.

For Nail Salons IMC Chapter 4 mechanical code generally requires:

  • A minimum of 50 cfm of air extraction from each nail station;
  • At least one exhaust inlet per nail station located <12” from the point of chemical application;
  • Exhaust of all extracted air from the nail salon to the outdoor atmosphere.

Added benefits of system use include:

  • The clean air output of each system can be applied to the total 0.6 cfm/ft2 that is required to be exhausted from overall salon air, which in turn conserves energy;
  • Prevents contaminated air from re-entering the salon and/or entering adjacent environments, including neighboring businesses or residences;
  • Prevents nail dust from accumulating in ductwork and creating potential hazards.