Ventilation systems disinfection is made possible thanks to the use of specific products. Thanks to disinfection activity the components of the ventilation system become free of all pathogens that accumulate, proliferate and, subsequently, are spread in the rooms through the air supplied by air ducts, thus creating damage to the environment but especially to human health.
According to the Italian provisions of Consolidated Text on Health and Safety at Work (Decree Law 81/2008), it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure healthy working environments for its employees and collaborators.
The article that deals on Microclimate (art. 1.9 of Consolidated Text on Health and Safety at Work) states that:
“If a ventilation systems is used in the environment, it must be periodically checked, maintained, cleaned and disinfected in order to protect the health of the workers.”
Failure to comply with these obligations is considered a crime as it can represent a serious health risk for workers.
The disinfection of ventilation systems is therefore provided because, due to their improper maintenance, they become a source of spread of microorganisms harmful to humans.
Why disinfecting the ventilation system
Before explaining why it is essential to carry out disinfection activity, besides being mandatory by law (as we have just seen) let’s quickly see how ventilation systems and the various existing types are defined.
The ventilation systems are defined as the set of equipment, devices, accessories that are inserted in an indoor environment, in order to heat or cool the air distributed in different rooms. It is therefore all the ventilation and air conditioning systems.
The ventilation systems are classified according to the “thermovector” (air or water) that must be heated or cooled and, finally, supplied inside the building.
They are divided into:
- Air-only systems, centralized air conditioning are included in this group.
- Air + water systems, an example are the fan-coils.
- Refrigerant fluid systems, of which the well-known split are part.
In general, the indoor air quality depends on several factors, among which we find: the substances in outoor air, the people who frequent the environment and the maintenance of the ventilation systems.
All these systems therefore determine the quality of the air we breathe and, if not cleaned and disinfected properly, can be a source of microbiological contamination and create serious health problems.
In these devices, due to the humidity and condensation that is created with the passage of air, dust and microorganisms such as: viruses, bacteria, fungi, molds, spores, find the ideal environment to proliferate and spread throughout the rooms.
The disinfection of ventilation systems is performed with the aim to purify air and protect people’s health, but not only: the correct maintenance keeps the entire system and the individual units efficient, thus reducing energy consumption and related costs.
Finally, because of the health emergency caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the environmental disinfection of surfaces and ventilation systems becomes a key activity for preventing contagion.
In fact, reporting what the Italian virologist Ilaria Capua said in an interview: “We cannot exclude the spread of coronavirus from ventilation systems. The Sars 1, in 2002, has spread from the air conditioning and heating systems of a hotel.”
Why mechanical cleaning in not enough
As we have seen, the law requires maintenance, cleaning and disinfection for ventilation systems.
Both cleaning and disinfection activities are required because, erroneously, it is thought that with the first activity the functions of the second are also performed, but this is not the case.
With cleaning, in fact, harmful substances are removed only in part. Instead disinfection eliminates up to 99.8%:
- Dusts
- Mites
- Black molds
- Fungi and fungal spores
- Bacteria
- Germs
- Virus
- Toxins
In addition, depending on the product used, the disinfection not only destroy these substances but also prevent their reformation, thus ensuring a longer lasting hygiene.
The disinfectant used are able to reach and disinfect the entire structure of ventilation systems, not only the individual components such as, for example, the internal air filters, grilles and fans but also the ducts and all the parts that would be difficult to access by other means.
Lastly, only through disinfection is it possible to eliminate bad smells and make the environment healthier and more pleasant.
Risks related to undisinfected ventilation systems
Understandably, the disinfection of ventilation systems is essential to ensure healthy environments and an adequate microclimate.
All the harmful substances that are spread by these systems are the cause of diseases such as:
- Asthma
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Humidifier Fever
- Respiratory problems
- Chronic sinusitis
- Bronchitis
- Allergies
In addition, improper maintenance and disinfection of ventilation systems can cause Legionnaires’ disease: an infectious disease of the respiratory system due to Legionella, a common name for an aerobic gram-negative bacterium called Legionella Pneumophila. This bacillus forms inside the ducts and is spread through the air. It is therefore contracted and transmitted by air and can cause acute pneumonia.
Risks related to undisinfected ventilation systems
Understandably, the disinfection of ventilation systems is essential to ensure healthy environments and an adequate microclimate.
All the harmful substances that are spread by these systems are the cause of diseases such as:
- Asthma
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Humidifier Fever
- Respiratory problems
- Chronic sinusitis
- Bronchitis
- Allergies
In addition, improper maintenance and disinfection of ventilation systems can cause Legionnaires’ disease: an infectious disease of the respiratory system due to Legionella, a common name for an aerobic gram-negative bacterium called Legionella Pneumophila. This bacillus forms inside the ducts and is spread through the air. It is therefore contracted and transmitted by air and can cause acute pneumonia.
How we disinfect
your ventilation systems
In order to decontaminate your ventilation systems, we use certified disinfecting machines and products that exploit the properties of:
O3
OZONE
H2O2
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Depending on the type of ventilation system found in your company, one of our environmental technician will perform the ozone disinfection or hydrogen peroxide disinfection in different ways.
In the case of a centralized ventilation system, the disinfectant product is injected into the air ducts with the aim to expand the disinfecting action of the product to all the outlets.
In case the system is made up of air treatment units (A.T.U.), a micro-perforated PVC pipe is installed in order to spread the substance.
Depending on the use of the ventilation system, the treatment is performed once or twice a year.
It is necessary to do it at least once a year if the system is used only as an air conditioner, if it also works as a heat pump, we recommend doing it twice.
This treatment is usually performed after a long period of inactivity or during season changes, i.e. in spring (when the system is about to be put into cooling mode), and in autumn (before the heating is switched on).
We at GEA provide a highly professional and qualified service of ventilation systems disinfection (air conditioning systems, fan-coils, air conditioners, ducts and air ducts), using disinfectant recognized by national authorities, scientifically tested and environmentally friendly.
Both solutions we propose for disinfection involve the use of certified professional machinery.
We at GEA provide a highly professional and qualified service of ventilation systems disinfection (air conditioning systems, fan-coils, air conditioners, ducts and air ducts), using disinfectant solutions recognized by national authorities, scientifically tested and environmentally friendly.
Both solutions we propose for disinfection involve the use of certified professional machinery.
For more information about our disinfection service contact us by filling out the form below!
To purchase products and disinfection machines visit our shop!