Which Sterilizing-Grade Water Filter Is Suitable for My Application?
Which sterilizing-grade water filter is suitable depends primarily on where the filter is to be used, which connection is available and what maximum service life is required.
Whether it is a shower with a shower hose, a shower with a fixed wall or ceiling outlet, a washbasin or an inline application: different PALL AquaSafe and PALL QPoint sterilizing-grade water filters and suitable connection solutions are available for the various installation situations.
Are you unsure which filter or adapter is suitable for your application? We will be happy to advise you personally, without obligation and free of charge. Contact us now
Overview
- Sterilizing-grade water filters for showers with a shower hose
- Sterilizing-grade water filters for washbasins
- Sterilizing-grade water filters for showers, wall or ceiling outlets
- Inline sterilizing-grade water filters
- AquaSafe or QPoint – which range is suitable?
- What service life do I need?
- Which quick connector or adapter do I need?
- Do I need an installer to fit the filter?
- Connection to a shower hose
- Connection to a washbasin
- Connection to a wall or ceiling outlet
- Filteria Universal Adapter Set
- What about the former PALL Kleenpak filters?
- After using the sterilizing-grade water filter
- What should I do when the filter is no longer needed?
- How should I dispose of a used filter?
- What should be considered after the cause has been remedied?
Which sterilizing-grade water filter is suitable for a shower with a shower hose?
With a conventional shower hose, the sterilizing-grade water filter should ideally be installed at the end of the shower hose.
This places the filter barrier directly in front of the water outlet. Ideally, there are no further water-bearing components downstream of the filter membrane in which microorganisms could settle.
One suitable option for this application is the PALL AquaSafe AQF4. It combines the sterilizing-grade water filter and shower outlet in a point-of-use filter unit.
For users who require a longer maximum service life, Filteria also offers its own shower set based on the PALL QPoint QRC212 or the PALL docking station QDSW with QR212.
The PALL QPoint QRC212 has a maximum service life of up to 92 days, or around 3 months and is combined in the Filteria shower set with a shower handle developed by us.
View the Filteria shower set with PALL QPoint QRC212
Which sterilizing-grade water filter is suitable for a washbasin?
At a washbasin, the choice of filter depends, among other things, on the type of water jet required.
Bundled water jet
For a conventional bundled water jet, similar to that of a normal tap, suitable options include the PALL AquaSafe AQ31F1S or the PALL QPoint QJC212.
These versions are particularly suitable where the filtered water is to be used in a directed stream without a spray pattern.
Spray or shower jet
If a wider or fanned water jet is required, a version with a spray rosette is appropriate.
Suitable examples include the PALL AquaSafe AQ31F1R or the PALL QPoint QRC212.
The fanned water jet is suitable, among other things, for rinsing, washing or applications in which broader water distribution is required.
Which version is more suitable depends, among other things, on the desired service life, the application and the existing connection solution.
Which sterilizing-grade water filter is suitable for a shower, wall or ceiling outlet?
With a fixed wall or ceiling outlet, the filter should likewise be installed as close as possible to the actual water outlet.
Suitable options for such applications include the PALL AquaSafe AQ31F1R or the PALL QPoint QRC212 with spray rosette.
The existing thread type, installation situation and desired orientation of the filter are important when selecting the connection solution.
When is an inline sterilizing-grade water filter used?
An inline sterilizing-grade water filter is installed within a water line or upstream of a downstream outlet.
One suitable option for this type of application is the PALL AquaSafe AQIN.
In inline applications, particular attention should be paid to the water-bearing components located downstream of the filter. If longer pipes, hoses or fittings are located after the filter membrane, these may be hygienically relevant.
For easy filter replacement, it is generally advisable to use two quick connectors with water stop. Connections with a 1/2-inch thread are frequently used for this purpose.
For medical or particularly demanding applications, corresponding quick connectors are also available in stainless steel.
AquaSafe or QPoint – which range is suitable?
PALL AquaSafe and PALL QPoint both use fine-pored membranes for microbiological filtration of water.
Classic PALL AquaSafe filters are used as complete point-of-use filter units and, depending on the model, have a maximum service life of up to 31 days.
The PALL QPoint range includes solutions with a maximum service life of up to 92 days, or around 3 months, depending on the model.
Which range is more suitable therefore depends not only on the connection, but also on the desired period of use and the respective application.
What service life do I need?
The service life specified by the manufacturer is the maximum period of use of a filter.
It begins when the filter is installed or put into operation and should not be confused with a best-before date or a guaranteed minimum operating life.
Classic PALL AquaSafe filters have a model-dependent maximum service life of up to 31 days. Suitable PALL QPoint models can be used for up to 92 days.
The actual usable period can also be influenced by water quality and the condition of the drinking water installation. Biofilm, sand, rust particles or other solids can, for example, reduce the water flow earlier.
Which quick connector or adapter do I need?
The required adapter depends on the filter model and the existing connection.
With many PALL sterilizing-grade water filters, a suitable quick connector is installed once on the fitting or water connection. The filter can then be inserted easily and removed again when the filter is changed.
The suitable connection options are also listed in the product descriptions of the corresponding filters.
View quick connectors and adapters for sterilizing-grade water filters
Do I need an installer to fit a sterilizing-grade water filter?
In many cases, an installer is not required to fit a point-of-use sterilizing-grade water filter.
If a suitable connection is already available, normally only the appropriate quick connector or adapter needs to be installed. The sterilizing-grade water filter can then be inserted and removed again when the filter is changed.
On a shower with a conventional shower hose, no tools are often required at all. In many cases, the filter or connection solution can be fitted by hand and removed again later.
Tools are usually only required if a connection is very tight and cannot be loosened by hand, for example because it was tightened too firmly or has become difficult to loosen due to limescale deposits.
At a washbasin, the existing aerator or flow regulator often has to be removed first. A water-pump wrench should not be applied directly to the fitting or adapter, as this can scratch the surfaces.
A suitable open-ended spanner or smooth-jaw pliers are better suited. If pliers have to be used, the surface should be carefully protected with a soft cloth.
An installer or another suitably qualified person may, however, be required if the existing connection has to be modified, fittings have to be changed, pipes need to be adapted or the installation situation is technically unclear.
In larger facilities, medical environments or more complex installations, it should also be checked whether operational or hygiene requirements call for installation by appropriately qualified personnel.
Note for hotels and other accommodation: Before installing a sterilizing-grade water filter on an existing tap or shower, you should first ask whether use of the filter or an adapter is permitted.
If you are unsure, you are welcome to send us a photo of the existing connection. We will help you select the correct filter and suitable connection solution.
Which quick connector do I need for a shower with a shower hose?
Conventional shower hoses frequently use a 1/2-inch connection. This is the usual standard in Germany and many other markets.
This generally makes selecting the appropriate connection solution relatively straightforward.
Quick connectors with water stop have the advantage that the water flow is interrupted at this point when the filter is removed.
Versions with a flow restrictor can be useful particularly where the incoming water pressure is high.
Which quick connector do I need at a washbasin?
Many washbasin taps have a fine thread at the outlet for the aerator or flow regulator.
Common sizes include:
- M24 male thread
- M22 female thread
However, there are many other fittings and special designs. Older fittings and special taps in particular may use different thread sizes.
Before ordering, it is therefore important to check which connection is actually present on the fitting.
Important: The adapter designation refers to the thread of the aerator or flow regulator, not to the thread designation of the tap itself.
Which connection solution do I need for a wall or ceiling outlet?
Fixed shower, wall or ceiling outlets often use a 1/2-inch connection.
Please check whether the existing connection has a male or female thread.
Depending on the installation situation, an angled connector may also be useful so that the quick connector and filter can be installed in the desired position.
The corresponding angled connector previously offered by PALL is no longer part of the range. In such cases, a 135° angled connector can be a suitable alternative.
What is the Filteria Universal Adapter Set?
Especially in larger properties and in the event of an acute microbiological finding, it is important to be able to install sterilizing-grade water filters as quickly as possible.
Without prepared adapter solutions, an extensive survey of the existing fittings and threads would often first have to be carried out before the correct adapters could be ordered and then installed.
This is exactly the type of effort reduced by the Filteria Universal Adapter Set for sterilizing-grade water filters.
The set contains different connection options for various thread sizes and fittings and therefore enables flexible and rapid installation of sterilizing-grade water filters.
The adapters are made from high-quality corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
The set is supplied in a practical storage pouch together with illustrated instructions. After use, the adapters can be stored again in the pouch and reused later when required.
This also makes the set suitable for mobile applications and travel, particularly where the connection types available on site are not known in advance.
The Filteria Universal Adapter Set can also be used with suitable sterilizing-grade water filters from other manufacturers.
For longer-term installations, we recommend – where suitable for the respective application – the corresponding quick connectors from PALL.
View the Filteria Universal Adapter Set for sterilizing-grade water filters
What about the former PALL Kleenpak filters?
The former PALL Kleenpak product range is no longer manufactured.
Corresponding AquaSafe models are now available for the well-known Kleenpak models:
| Former Kleenpak model | Current AquaSafe model |
|---|---|
| KAQF4 | AQF4 |
| KAQ31F1S | AQ31F1S |
| KAQ31F1R | AQ31F1R |
| KAQIN | AQIN |
Kleenpak therefore no longer needs to be considered as a separate product choice alongside AquaSafe.
After using the sterilizing-grade water filter
There are also several important points to consider once a sterilizing-grade water filter is no longer required. These include keeping reusable connection components, correctly disposing of the used filter and ensuring a hygienically safe return to normal operation after the original cause has been remedied.
What should I do when the sterilizing-grade water filter is no longer needed?
If the sterilizing-grade water filter is no longer required, it can be removed from the connection.
Important: The quick connector or adapter used should always be kept. These connection components can be reused and can represent a significant proportion of the cost of the initial installation.
If a sterilizing-grade water filter is needed again at a later date, the existing connection solution can often be reused.
A used sterilizing-grade water filter, however, should not be stored for later reuse. Once the filter has been put into operation, the manufacturer's specified maximum service life continues to run.
How should I dispose of a used sterilizing-grade water filter?
According to PALL, used sterilizing-grade water filters can be disposed of with residual household waste.
The filter should not be opened or dismantled. Residual water and retained microorganisms may be present inside the filter.
In hospitals and larger facilities where larger quantities of sterilizing-grade water filters are used continuously, used filters can be collected and sent for recycling or reprocessing of their components.
For individual filters, this additional effort is generally not economically worthwhile.
Quick connectors and adapters should not be disposed of together with the filter. They can be reused for later applications and can represent a significant cost factor in the initial installation.
What should be considered after the cause has been remedied?
Once the cause of the microbiological contamination has been remedied and the sterilizing-grade water filter has been removed, old shower hoses, showerheads, aerators and flow regulators should not simply be reused.
These components may previously have been in contact with contaminated water and may contain biofilm or microorganisms on their internal surfaces. This creates a risk that a hygienically remediated outlet will again be connected to previously contaminated components.
It is therefore advisable to replace such water-bearing end components after completion of the remediation measure or to reprocess them in accordance with the applicable hygiene requirements.
In some cases, it may also be necessary or advisable to replace the complete tap or fitting. This may be considered particularly if the fitting is heavily contaminated internally, difficult to clean or cannot be hygienically reprocessed with sufficient reliability.
The measures required in each individual case should be determined on the basis of the findings, the installation situation and the applicable hygiene requirements.
More questions about Legionella and sterilizing-grade water filters?
Detailed information about Legionella, water hygiene, point-of-use filtration, service life, activated carbon filters, retrograde contamination and many other frequently asked questions can be found in our comprehensive FAQ.
Go to our frequently asked questions about Legionella and sterilizing-grade water filters
Are you unsure which filter is suitable for your connection?
Filteria specializes in sterilizing-grade water filters and the corresponding connection solutions. We will be happy to help you choose the correct filter, suitable quick connector or appropriate adapter.
Our experience with PALL sterilizing-grade water filters dates back to 2003. In addition to providing advice, we also know the systems from practical installation and filter replacement at customer sites.