Burning issue
Beat biofilm with UVC
Colin Hardman, Gibbons Ultraviolet Solutions sales manager explores the benefits of UVC light in eliminating biofilm which forms in ductwork
T
he issue of indoor air quality and the associated health risks from poorly-
maintained HVAC systems serving occupied spaces such as commercial offices, schools, hotels and hospitals has received an increasing amount of publicity in recent years.
Contaminants including bacteria, mould and viruses within a ductwork system can be transmitted to building occupants via airflow, which may lead to health problems such as headaches, eye irritation and sore
throats. Meanwhile, reduced productivity, rising absenteeism and higher staff turnover rates are some of the consequences for employers. For those without a regular programme of HVAC maintenance in place,
there are a number of signs that ductwork should be cleaned: • Water damage
• Build-up of slime (see below for information on biofilm) • Presence of debris, restricting airflow • Dust being emitted from vents • Discharge of offensive odours. Biofilm is a slimy substance made up of an accumulation of bacteria,
mould, dust and other debris and forms in a moist environment such as an air handling unit (AHU) and connected ductwork. Biofilm not only jeopardises the health and wellbeing of building occupants, it also lowers the efficiency of the AHU’s cooling coil by reducing thermal conductivity and airflow. While many users opt for regular manual cleaning, a permanent solution to the challenge of maintaining HVAC hygiene is the treatment of AHU and ductwork surfaces with ultraviolet-C (UVC) light. UVC light is powerful enough to virtually eliminate biofilm, while continued application prevents the regrowth of such contaminants. UVC light works by disrupting the DNA of biofilm, preventing cell
reproduction and eliminating cells altogether with continued use. Additionally, by permanently cleaning ductwork with UVC light-emitting
lamps, AHU performance is improved, which increases energy efficiency and extends operational life. Removing the need for onerous manual cleaning with harsh chemicals means that the health and wellbeing of staff is improved. Plus, by reducing the time spent on cleaning, staff can be re-allocated to other tasks which itself improves efficiency within the company. A major benefit of UVC systems is that they can be modelled to fit almost
any system, making them suitable for both new and retrofit installations. Running costs are low, and the efficiency gains from removing contaminants means that the initial outlay can be recouped in energy savings within a matter of months in some cases.
www.heatingandventilating.net February 2018 11
ViewPoint B
Take the headache out of commissioning
oiler commissioning is essential to get the most out of the investment of a new commercial boiler installation. It’s a vital stage in any commercial heating project to ensure optimum efficiency
levels. Chris Caton, commercial product manager at Ideal Commercial Boilers discusses the advantages of commissioning being undertaken by the boiler manufacturer, and why they’re the first in the market to offer it free of charge.
The importance of commissioning
As with any equipment, there is a need to complete a series of thorough checks to ensure everything is set up and working the way it should before it is put into service. Not all commercial boilers that are in operation have been commissioned to manufacturer’s standards. This not only puts the customer’s investment at risk, it can also invalidate any warranty they may have with the boiler manufacturer. Whether it’s missed out to cut costs, or down to a simple lack of time, it’s not uncommon for it to be overlooked. As a responsible manufacturer, Ideal Commercial has taken a bold step in the market to offer this service free of charge, while also reducing the amount of input required by the contractor by making the process slick and simple. By having Ideal commission the boilers, boiler warranties are commenced and in some cases extended by up to a further three years, giving the customer additional peace of mind.
Making the process easy
To ensure that applying for free commissioning is as simple as possible, there are only four steps to follow: 1. The process starts with the customer installing Ideal Commercial boilers 2. The customer completes the free commissioning offer request form online 3. Ideal Commercial receives the request and confirms a commissioning appointment 4. An Ideal Commercial engineer completes the commissioning process For more information on Ideal Commercial’s free commissioning offer, apply online at
www.idealcommercialboilers.com/free- commissioning * 5-year warranty subject to terms and conditions. Five years parts and labour warranty available subject to being commissioned by Ideal Boilers.
Chris Caton
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