Feature
Keeping air conditioning units cool and compliant
2019 has been a scorcher. Following the warmest February day on record, the end of July saw the hottest UK temperature ever, with the Met Office citing 38.7C at Cambridge University Botanical Gardens. Analysts are forecasting a further three Saharan heat waves to hit British shores in the next few weeks. While UK holidaymakers may hopefully
find themselves out in the sunshine, office workers are likely to spend the week in comfortable, air-conditioned spaces, where the heat doesn’t hinder productivity. While grateful for the invention of air conditioning units for keeping us cool in summer and warm in winter, most workers probably don’t think twice about how the quality of air in their workspace is actually maintained. Providing clean air to the workplace is
a legal requirement and is most likely to be achieved using an air conditioner or purification system – a device that processes and distributes a large volume of air each day. As it does this, it also collects a significant amount of dust and other particles which can eventually build-up if not cleaned regularly. What many might not know is that the
accumulation of dirt in ventilation systems could potentially allow harmful bacteria to spread through the air management system, and potentially lead to ‘sick building syndrome’. This illness refers to symptoms you only get while in a particular building, such as an office. While it’s not exactly clear what causes sick building syndrome, the NHS claims that poor ventilation and poorly maintained air conditioning systems likely play a part. To keep your air handling systems in
the best condition possible and avoid air contamination, it’s important they are monitored and cleaned in line with the guidance set out by regulators.
12 fmuk
Jamie Woodhall, Technical & Innovations Manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene Understanding the regulations
Defined by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) 20 years ago, TR19 is the guidance which governs best practice of air handling system cleaning. This has become the standard to which most insurers and the building engineering service sector use when performing ductwork cleaning operations. The TR19 regulations state that ventilation
systems must be regularly cleaned to meet standards set out by the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1992 Section 6. They also require building and facilities managers to keep proper records showing evidence that the ductwork continues to meet the regulations.
Regular cleaning and monitoring
Diligence is key to TR19 compliance. Ducts and ventilation systems should be monitored or cleaned in accordance with the guidelines, preferably by a professional company, to make the recordkeeping process as easy as possible. How often your ventilation systems need
cleaning depends on its level of usage and the type of business it operates in. Under TR19 guidelines, heavy usage operations (where units are used for 12-16 hours a day) should be cleaned every three months, moderate usage (where units are used 6-12 hours each day) every six months, and light usage (where units are used for 2-6 hours per day) every 12 months. When technicians are called in, who
are specialised in working with ducts of varying sizes and uses, they will carry out air handling system monitoring. To do this, it’s likely they’ll use a piece of equipment called an Elcometer 456 which measures the levels of dust in the system. The Elcometer 456 is a thickness gauge with a scan probe, providing accurate readings of any dry
deposit thickness in air handling systems. Once these readings have been obtained, they are collated into a detailed, TR19 compliant report. Images, schematic drawings and
recommendations are also included within this report, which can then be used as evidence of monitoring and adherence with recognised standards. What’s more, specialist technicians will
carry out ventilation and extraction system cleaning services at times convenient to you, causing minimal disruption to your business. Where access is limited, they can also install access panels to ensure that every part of a vent or duct is reached.
Efficiency of use
In addition to being legally compliant, an air handling system cleaned to TR19 standards is more likely to ventilate fresh air. According to a study by Harvard and Syracuse Universities, higher air quality in offices has been shown to improve the productivity of workers in the buildings by up to 60%, as well as thinking (27%) and health (30%). Regular cleaning of ventilation systems
will also improve the efficiency of the machine, helping to reduce costs associated with its usage and maintenance. Regularly checking your systems means you are more likely to identify any issues before they become too difficult to fix.
Final words
The summer heat may soon be behind us, but businesses will still rely on air conditioning units to keep their employees cool and alert throughout autumn and beyond. Adhering to the regulations laid out by TR19 is imperative in ensuring these systems remain as safe, clean and efficient as possible.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
