WHY CLEAN THE DUCTS?
Today’s hospitals and medical centers are far more energy efficient than their predecessors. A negative side effect to this increased efficiency is that buildings don’t “breathe.” In fact, they’re nearly “air tight.”
The indoor air is constantly being recycled.
Ductwork is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, fungi and viruses. It also collects dust mites, pollen, textile fibers, residue from chemicals and decaying organic matter. All of these lead to “sick building syndrome”.
In fact, a 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study estimated that in 2011 more than 700,000 health care associated infections (HAIs) occurred in acute care hospitals in the US (of which about 75,000 patients with HAIs died during their hospitalization).
Most hospitals actually have policies in place that require ductwork cleanings after all remodels or HVAC system updates. This is especially critical for Pittsburgh hospitals that have areas feeding surgery suites, ERs, to remove all construction dust and contaminants that may linger in the ducts.
Advantages of Hospital Duct Cleaning
Advantages of clean ductwork to business can be substantial. The NEMI (National Energy Management Institute) reports that, “Benefits of improved indoor air quality are so large that this opportunity cannot be ignored…”
These include:
- Reduced health costs
- Better employee / customer / visitor health
- Improved productivity
- Increased profits
Air Duct Maintenance, Inc. is your commercial and industrial cleaning specialist. We are a certified member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and we have certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff.
THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
- We use Kubota 56 horse power diesel mounted vacuum trucks, which delivers 16,000 CFM.
- Commercial / industrial grade HEPA vacuum systems that can be used in remote locations.
- A variety of contact vacuum equipment for large ductwork and air handlers.
- See more about our equipment.
MICROBIAL CONTROL TREATMENT
Does your facility have a problem with odor, mold, mildew, or bacterial growth? We offer SNiPER, the most effective disinfectant and deodorizing product on the market. Global Environmental Restoration, Inc., is the creator of the SNiPER product. SNiPER is EPA registered for the use in HVAC systems, it is a hospital grade, eco-friendly, anti-bacterial/ fungicide disinfectant and deodorizing product. SNiPER’s low toxicity formulation that inhibits the growth of odor causing organisms, as well as those organisms associated with mold, mildew, and bacterial growth in the air and in HVAC systems. This product is so safe that it can be used in occupied spaces. This product is non-corrosive, non-flammable, non-chlorinating, hypo-allergenic, and a true biodegradable product, making it not only the most effective product on the market, but also the safest.
One of SNiPER’s key features is the low toxicity and safety rating with the EPA. Rated as a category IV, the lowest EPA toxicity rating, it can be directly applied to the HVAC system duct work in populated areas. What does having the lowest EPA toxicity rating mean? It means there are no harmful effects to your skin, eyes, breathing, or swallowing when using SNiPER. Once SNiPER is applied, it dries leaving the system virtually residue-free.
Click here to see a list of SNiPER’s key features.
FIRE AND SMOKE DAMPER INSPECTION
Fire and smoke damper inspections are a federally mandated process that applies to commercial, industrial, and health care facilities. Fire and smoke dampers are located in the facilities air handling systems. Health care facilities are required by the NFPA 80, 2016 edition, to have these fire and smoke dampers tested and inspected one year after installation (19.5.1.1). Following the initial test and inspection after the first year, health care facilities are required to have their fire and smoke dampers tested and inspected every six years (19.5.1.2).
At the time of your test and inspection Air Duct Maintenance, Inc. will provide you with a comprehensive report listing each dampers location on your own facilities floor plans in the air handling systems and the condition of each damper tested and inspected. We will provide you with a hard copy and an electronical copy of your report, along with our professional recommendations for any minor or major damper repairs or adjustments that we feel are necessary.
We know how busy normal work hours can be, and to ensure the least amount of disruption to your business operation, our health care services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the job takes longer than one day’s work to finish, we ensure that all systems will be left fully operational between work hours. Once all the fire and smoke dampers have been tested and inspected, we will thoroughly clean up all work areas, leaving your health care facility not only safer, but also cleaner than when we arrived.
Other Health Care Services
Contact Air Duct Maintenance, Inc. today for a free evaluation and estimate.