Cleaning and disinfection of ventilation systems

[Mila Eryomina]

Significant volumes of air and, as a result, dust and dirt constantly pass through the ventilation system, accumulating on the surface as a persistent sediment. Over time, the efficiency of its filtering function and throughput capacity decreases, which leads to blockage of air circulation.

Regular HVAC cleaning and disinfection of the ventilation and air conditioning system is a guarantee of its normal functioning.

The main causes of ventilation contamination

Even the most expensive and efficient ventilation system can be subject to clogging and sudden malfunction, as well as critical breakdown. You can detect a failure and deterioration of air circulation in the room yourself.

Signs of ventilation contamination:

• insufficient supply of fresh air, stuffiness;
• unpleasant smell in the room;
• weak draft in hoods;
• the appearance of condensation and/or mold.

The following factors may be the reasons for all of the above  :

• the presence of a blockage in the air duct body;
• depressurization of one of the sections of the ventilation duct;
• failure of automatic control equipment;
• other.

Most often, the cause of a ventilation system failure is a blockage in the air duct. In order to avoid fatal consequences and mitigate sudden equipment failure, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive diagnostics and cleaning of ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Complex sections of ventilation ducts - inlets, outlets and elbows (bends) - especially need systematic cleaning. Access to them should be carefully planned at the design stage. That is why it is recommended to entrust the process of manufacturing, installation and maintenance of ventilation systems only to professionals. This will help to avoid adverse consequences and unnecessary costs in the future.

Types of ventilation cleaning

The ventilation system ensures circular air circulation between the room and the outside environment. For industrial ventilation used in large-scale production facilities and catering kitchens, it is especially important to maintain the system in order, eliminating the possibility of clogging and contamination of the air space.

The main tasks of air cleaning systems are to eliminate accumulations of dust, grease and fumes. Depending on the types of deposits typical for the industry, HVAC cleaning services use different types of ventilation cleaning:

1. Mechanical cleaning involves using a special brush machine and/or vacuum cleaner. The method is quite effective and has a high speed, but it does a poor job of removing fatty deposits.
2. Dry cleaning is done by spraying chemicals into the air duct. Due to the varying degrees of toxicity of cleaning agents, this method requires complete sealing of the air duct, but the method is extremely fast and effective, although it requires special training.
3. Combined (or wet) cleaning combines the previous methods, carried out in turn. This method is more expensive and time-consuming, but the efficiency is the highest.
4. Blasting involves using dry ice or soda for cleaning and, of course, a special blaster. Microparticles of the substance, directed by compressed air, enter the ventilation system at high speed and provoke the destruction of plaque on the walls without damaging the structure itself. This method is the most time-consuming and requires absolute sealing of the system, but it is the most effective.

The listed methods are used depending on the purpose of the exhaust ventilation, its technical characteristics and throughput, as well as the client's wishes. Mechanical and combined cleaning are most often used. The rest are necessary in extreme cases to get rid of complex contaminants and deposits in advanced stages.

Disinfection of the ventilation system

Disinfection cleaning of ventilation implies complete disinfection of the air duct and is necessary when using the mechanical cleaning method. Microorganisms are the least vulnerable to the effects of temperature and other external factors - fungus and mold spores, bacteria and all other microbiology are extremely tenacious and can systematically harm health.

Disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems is especially relevant in kitchens, damp industrial premises and medical institutions. Often, the disinfection process is carried out separately and independently from other cleaning stages.

Cleaning and disinfection of the ventilation system

The system of air ducts that make up the ventilation constantly pumps air. Even filters cannot remove all the contaminants, so dust, hair, etc. gradually accumulate on the walls of the air pipes. Accumulating over time, the dust forms a dense layer that reduces the efficiency of air exchange and can even completely block the channel. The only way to combat this phenomenon is to clean the ventilation from dust in a timely manner.