December 19, 2023
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Despite the severe consequences of indoor space contamination, little is known about diseases related to it. However, this can be reversed through a simple, consistent, well-executed AC Duct cleaning. Air conditioning ducts serve to distribute and extract air in areas requiring thermal comfort. They are classified into two types: supply and return. Additionally, ducts come in various compositions and geometries. Regarding composition, ducts are commonly found in galvanized sheet metal or stainless steel, especially in the food industry. They are also in textile and flexible aluminum-reinforced ducts, albeit on a smaller scale. Regarding geometry, ducts can be rectangular, cylindrical, or oval.
No matter the type of duct, each one poses a significant contamination risk for enclosed spaces. Keeping them clean, well-maintained, and subject to regular maintenance is crucial. Effective cleaning is essential to maintaining indoor air quality and preventing diseases like Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is a group of illnesses caused by poor ventilation and volatile particles in air conditioning systems. Symptoms of SBS include headaches, nausea, dizziness, persistent colds, eye and skin irritation, and absenteeism. According to the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES), dust and dirt are the leading causes of nine out of ten breakdowns in air washing, heating, and air conditioning systems.
Cleaning - More Than Respiratory Health
In addition to preventing respiratory diseases and ensuring good climate control, clean systems increase cooling or heating capacity, translating to monthly savings on electricity bills. However, to avoid bacteria proliferation, cleaning is necessary, and technicians must also have complete knowledge of the procedure. The more precise the cleaning, the better the results.
AC Duct Cleaning Company Dubai and its maintenance staff should have NADCA (The National Air Duct Cleaners Association) certification. Duct cleaners must have an updated DC-3 certification yearly for work at heights, confined spaces, and lockout/tagout, ensuring extensive knowledge of duct strategy, cleaning, and decontamination.
Cleaning personnel must also undergo annual safety courses and training on new technologies, such as cleaning tools. Additionally, they must take a class and certification for handling platforms for work at heights.
The cleaning crew leader must have leadership courses and training to handle any contingency. Technicians should also be knowledgeable about air filtration to use and manage HVAC system filters.
Without exception, it is the responsibility of workers to make good use of the waste removed from the ducts. Finally, understanding electrical principles and proficiency in handling all work tools are necessary.
Tools Required
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Professional equipment for interior duct cleaning: TurboJet 4200b vacuum with two independent motors, including a pre-filter, bag filter, and HEPA filter, reaching up to 99.97 percent efficiency with extensions up to 50 meters; industrial vacuum cleaners for dust and water with 75-liter drums and two independent motors; VentVAc 3 vacuum cleaner; 4X4 vacuum cleaner with four separate motors, pre-filter, bag filter, and HEPA filter; 2000rpm 2hp Brushmaster rotary brushes for ducts; brushes for suction, and nebulizers for applying chemicals inside the duct.
Professional equipment for records (spark-proof jigsaw, cutting gloves, metal tape, and galvanized sheet to seal the 24-gauge quality register).
EPA-certified chemicals: SootSet (particle encapsulator), UltraOdorKill (odor eliminator), and Envirocon HVAC (prevents the proliferation of fungi, viruses, bacteria, etc.)
Equipment for working at heights (articulated, scissor, and telescopic platforms), scaffolding, various sizes of fiberglass and aluminum ladders, harnesses, and lifelines.
Uniforms (ID card, company information shirt for easy identification, work overalls, and disposable coveralls for critical areas such as operating rooms, anti-static gowns, overshoes, and heel guards)
- Oxygen Meter
- Heavy-Duty Work Tools and Extensions
Number of People Required
Base crews consist of five people (one leader and four technicians under their charge). It all depends on the area and the cleaning project, as sometimes it is necessary to have two or even three crews. It is always important that all team members have Social Security registration and up-to-date payment.
There should also be a site supervisor who reports progress to the client and an advisor responsible for reviewing the schedule of activities to be carried out with the client and delivering the service with the final report. The report should be accompanied by detailed before-and-after photos of the cleaning, a framed certificate, and an effective cleaning communication plan.
The Process
- The crew leader will introduce the team to the client on their first day at the plant.
- Request an area for tools; in case of several working days, request a tool assignment area for workdays.
- Wear the necessary personal protective equipment.
- Cover furniture in the area where you are going to work.
- Take photos of furniture covered in plastic.
- Take photos of dirty injections and return grilles.
- Remove injection and return grilles to proceed with washing and disinfection.
- Take photos of dirty UMA and dirty filters.
- If washable metal filters are available, remove them for washing.
- Clean and disinfect the UMA of the duct to be cleaned.
- If necessary, one or more records will be made in the injection and return duct for interior cleaning.
- Take a photo of the registry performed.
- Enter the duct for a more extensive internal cleaning in ducts where space is limited, using specialized equipment such as Cobra Filtech.
- Take photos of the injection and return ducts before cleaning.
- Use a sprayer to nebulize the inner layer of the duct with EPA-approved chemicals.
- Take photos of clean injection and return ducts.
- Seal the records made in the duct.
- Take a photo of the sealed records.
- Reinstall clean and disinfected injection and return grilles.
- Take a photo of the clean injection and return the grilles.
- Remove the plastic carefully to avoid dust from falling onto the furniture.
- Take a photo of the area after work.
- Leave the area clean.
- Take a tour with the client upon completing the service.
How Often Should Cleaning Be Done?
HVAC duct cleaning frequency varies, but every six months to a year is established, depending on the building, product type, pollutant, or whether it is a trade or industry, among many other variables.
Cleaning should be done periodically, and manometers should also replace air filter equipment according to saturation. If you do not have this meter, you must consult your filter supplier for recommendations and determine a good filter replacement and maintenance program. This is usually periodic and can be bi-weekly, monthly, or bimonthly, but the times should be short concerning the use of HVAC equipment.
Proper replacement of filters on time and adequate maintenance of the air conditioning equipment will significantly help prevent system pollution.
Benefits of Cleaning
- Improves indoor air quality.
- Increases the efficiency of air conditioning equipment.
- Provides a healthy and pure environment for building inhabitants.
- Improves energy savings in equipment.
- Reduces electricity charges.
- Lower maintenance costs.
- Fewer technical failures.
- Longer equipment lifespan.