The health and productivity benefits of good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are well established. Primarily, these are indicated by low concentrations of CO2 and pollutants. But what can you do today to improve IAQ and who can you trust?
The ‘lungs of the building’
Air Handling Units (AHUs) are part of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Their job is to filter and distribute fresh clean air around the building. They can be considered the ‘lungs of the building’.
However, HVAC systems are the number one cause of microbial contaminants and bad IAQ according to one leading study. To achieve good levels of IAQ, HVAC systems must have the correct filtration equipment installed and be regularly maintained.
The trusted solutions
With an extensive and growing portfolio of solutions, Plasma Clean provides air filtration systems and services to meet the requirements of every building. All solutions and products are suitable for new builds or can be retro-fitted into existing HVAC systems. They include:
1. Low-pressure drop air filters: remove harmful contaminants such as NOx from incoming air
2. Standalone odour control units for washroom and waste room smells
3. Kitchen ventilation grease, smoke and odour control
4. Air quality sensors: continually monitor and feedback into the Building Management System (BMS)
5. TR19 duct cleaning and leakage testing: ensure that buildings operate as efficiently as they did on handover
UV-C Coil Cleaning
In addition, we are seeing increased use of UV-C treatments in HVAC systems. UV-C is used to treat heat exchange coils and to disinfect recirculated air.
By exposing the heat exchange coils to constant UV-C light, biofilm growth is prevented. This keeps the coil clean, helping to maintain optimum heat transfer across the coil surface to maximise the energy efficiency.
Above all, this prevents the transmission of airborne contaminants and odours throughout the building. It reduces staff sickness and absenteeism.
Plasma Clean has commissioned a study with the University of Leeds, to determine the performance of UV-C for disinfection purposes. Results showed that UV-C disinfection was capable of significant reductions in the concentration of Geobacillus stearothermophilus. A test organism routinely used in pharmaceutical sterility testing.
Achieving a 99.9% kill rate after exposure to UV-C
Plasma Clean air filtration solutions installed with IAQ sensors monitor air quality by continuously checking pollutant levels. The likes of CO2, NOx, gas pollutants, particulates in the air, humidity and outdoor pollution are all monitored through these devices. A warning is raised if unacceptable levels are reached.
Maintenance is key
To continue to reap the benefits, it is important to maintain the system to avoid dust and microbe build-up and ensure optimal energy efficiency. Careful selection of components and a planned service regime are key.
The mentality of ‘fit and forget’ is not an option
Contact us
For further information visit
www.plasma-clean.com
call 0161 870 2325
or email [email protected]
Download our free guide ‘How indoor air quality can contribute to a happy, healthy and more productive workforce‘ – CLICK HERE
