Keeping your facility clean and healthy is a year-round priority. Your efforts are even more critical during the winter months as you step up your routines to minimize the spread of illness among your facility's residents. In a previous post Minimizing the Spread of Flu in Your Facility we discussed strategies for minimizing the spread of flu. In this post we will highlight the importance of HVAC system cleaning in maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

The HVAC System - A Source of Hidden Contaminates

As an internal cleaning operation, or a BSC, you spend much time and effort in cleaning a myriad of surface types in an effort to mitigate the spread of contaminates. You emphasize the importance of proper hand washing. You follow proper disinfection protocols. But, what about the air within your facility---and its source?

Take a look at your vents and supply registers. If it has been a while since their last cleaning you will likely find layers of dust, dirt, and other contaminants.

We tend to forget that the vast majority of the airborne contaminates we are trying to control within our facilities is being circulated, and re-circulated, by our HVAC systems. That distribution of dust, pollen, skin cells, and other contaminates can wreak havoc on the health of any indoor environment.

Periodic HVAC system cleaning should be an element within every facility management routine. HVAC cleaning basics....

HVAC System Cleaning - Process

Cleaning of an HVAC system can be boiled down to two basic components....

• Dislodging of contaminates: Removal of the maximum amount of contaminate from the system requires the use of one or more agitation devices. Typical devices that can be used include: compressed air hoses, manual brushes, air whips, skip tools, and power brushes. Each of these devices will come with their own procedures for application and use. Care should be taken to follow all manufacturer instructions.
• Collection and removal of contaminates: Dislodged contaminates are collected during the agitation process. This is accomplished by the HVAC system being placed in a state of negative pressure during the cleaning process. This allows for the dislodged particulates to be collected and ensures that they are not released into the facility.

HVAC System Cleaning - Frequency

How often should your HVAC system be cleaned? There is no definitive answer to that question as different facility types may have different requirements. However, as a general guideline, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that HVAC systems be cleaned every three to five years. Anything more frequent could be overkill while anything beyond five years could be pushing the limit for system health.

Keeping your HVAC system clean and healthy will play a critical role in maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment for your facility's occupants.