It is perhaps natural to focus on the duct cleaning of the extraction side of a ductwork system because this is where residues are most likely to accumulate, increasing both the risk of bacteria build-up and of a fire hazard.
However, it is equally important that the supply duct that puts air into a building should be properly clean too.
Regular ductwork cleaning is clearly essential because the Health and Safety Executive's regulations require all mechanical ventilation systems (including the ductwork) to be regularly and properly cleaned, tested and maintained to ensure that they are kept clean and free from anything which may contaminate the air.
The regulations' purpose is to ensure that conditions for building occupants are comfortable and safe and therefore places a duty of care on building owners and managers to ensure that ventilation systems are kept clean by the most efficient ductwork and air duct cleaning methods.
It is cost effective to carry out regular air duct cleaning is cost effective, not only to ensure that an inefficient system is not requiring more energy to run than it should and also because of the requirements of insurance companies to ensure there are no fire hazards, but also because there is evidence that people working in a building are likely to be more efficient and productive if they are working in clean, fresh air.
For example, in a hospital laundry the system may be efficient in ensuring bed linen and towels are properly laundered to the highest hygiene standards, but wherever laundry such as towels and bedding are washed and dried in quantity, large amounts of fibre and dust are given off.
The atmosphere is moist and warm and an efficient extract system, to remove as much as possible of this material as possible through filters is clearly important.
Similarly a hotel or restaurant kitchen requires efficient removal of food particles and grease that are dissolved in the steam in order for the environment to be as hygienic as possible but also for the comfort of those working there, often under considerable pressure.
A regular programme of inspections and cleaning can be necessary every 6 to 12 months, depending on the level of activity in the facility. This includes checking the filters are correctly fixed and not in need of replacement and carrying out a deposit thickness test on the interior of the duct work to check for levels of contamination.
The inspection should also cover all ductwork bringing clean air into the facility to ensure that it too is not contaminated and therefore failing to do its job in maintaining a clean and breathable atmosphere for the building's users.
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Duct cleaning should not be confined to the extraction side of a ductwork system but should also pay attention to the ductwork bringing clean air into a building because a clean air environment is important to the health and productivity of its users. By Ali Withers. http://www.pro-ductclean.com/air-duct-cleaning.asp
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