AIR CONDITIONING The hidden 10%
The airside elements of a commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can constitute a surprisingly large portion of a building’s infrastructure. As air hygiene and ductwork cleaning moves towards a more measurable and auditable approach, Gary Nicholls, Managing Director of Swiftclean, explains why understanding, inspecting and maintaining these hidden surfaces matters, and how BESA’s TR19® Air specifi cation and the Vent Hygiene Register (VHR) can help building operators reduce risk and demonstrate that air conditioning systems are being properly managed.
'Alongside TR19 Air, the formal certifi cation pathway introduced through the VHR Air category, operated by BESCA, the certifi cation arm of BESA, off ers contractors and duty
holders a clean pathway to compliance.'
A
ir conditioning is often thought of primarily in terms of temperature control; however, the airside elements of an air conditioning system can also infl uence
system performance, energy use and indoor air quality. Over time, dust, debris, and microbiological contamination can accumulate within air-handling equipment, fi lters, coils, fans, and associated ductwork. If these components are not inspected and maintained properly, contamination can aff ect airfl ow and place additional strain on fans and other equipment. More importantly, the air we breathe can be adversely aff ected by poorly maintained HVAC systems.
Out of sight, not out of mind In large commercial buildings, the internal surface area of the HVAC ductwork that supplies air conditioning systems can be as much as 10% of the total fl oor space served, much of it hidden
high in the ceiling space or behind walls. But out of sight should never mean out of mind. Historically, air hygiene has typically been approached in an ad hoc manner, with cleaning either never being carried out at all or, in the best of cases, carried out on a fi xed maintenance schedule with little regard for system condition, occupancy or usage patterns. However, following a signifi cant update to TR19 Air and the expansion of the Vent Hygiene Register (VHR), expectations are beginning to change. This year, the BESA updated TR19 Air, the industry specifi cation for the internal cleanliness and hygiene management of ventilation systems, and launched the Ventilation Hygiene Register (VHR) Air certifi cation pathway, both of which provide a framework to bring greater clarity and consistency to air hygiene.
TR19 sets out a risk-based approach, classifying systems
according to the type and use of the spaces they serve, with high, medium, and low cleanliness quality classes refl ecting factors such as occupancy vulnerability and the activities taking place.
The specifi cation recognises that not every system presents the same level of risk, and not every part of a building needs to be treated in the same way. A single building may contain several multiple risk classifi cations. An area serving a particularly sensitive environment, such as a hospital or school, will warrant a diff erent approach to a general offi ce or storage space. The starting point should therefore be understanding the system(s), their purposes, occupants, and operating conditions. From this baseline, inspection and cleaning requirements can be established based on evidence rather than assumption.
Inspection before intervention One of the most important principles of TR19 Air is: inspect fi rst, clean on evidence. Visual inspection provides an essential starting point, but where the cleanliness classifi cation requires it, quantitative testing can provide a more objective assessment. The European Vacuum Test (EVT), for example, can be used
24 October 2026 •
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