Air Hygiene Cleaning

Air hygiene cleaning works to bring ventilation systems of all kinds in line with health and safety regulations requiring a supply of clean air to non-domestic buildings.

Ingot Services’ air hygiene cleaning services offer a comprehensive solution to the rising challenges surrounding changing legal requirements and increased ventilation system upkeep: professional, certified cleaning conducted on a fully tailored basis.

Working to fulfil all guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1973, Ingot’s air hygiene cleaning services are undertaken by Vent Hygiene Elite qualified professionals, and works to ensure the removal of all potentially harmful particles, dust, and bacteria harboured by both ductwork, and filters.

HTM 03-01 is a section of the Health Technical Memorandum, applying specifically to ventilation systems present in healthcare facilities. It has been proven that poor operational theatre air quality can lead to surgical site infection. Consequently, in line with HTM-01, plants serving hospital operating departments are required to make sure that areas are kept separate within the suite by providing a specific direction of airflow between rooms. Additionally, they must maintain the operating departments’ environmental conditions constant irrespective of changes in outside air conditions or activities within the designated area.

All ventilation, ductork, and air hygiene must be completed in line with HTM 03-01's unique requirements for maintaining a specific direction of airflow between rooms.

HEPA (High efficiency paritculate air) filters are a commonly used filter across a number of applications, including ventilation systems. Commonly used in medical settings, factories, or any space in which aesptic conditions are required, HEPA filters are able to filter out approximately 99.997% of particles 0.3 micrometres in size. HEPA filters are typically used as the terminal filter in an air filtration or ventilation system.

Though HEPA filters are robust and long-lasting, however, when left without maintenance to gather dirt and dust form unclean ducts, they are noted to become less effective, transferring unwanted particles into the clean side of the system, and contaminating air. Hygiene cleaning can assist greatly with this issue, ensuring the removal of all potential contaminants from ductwork, and that all filters are working to their full potential.

It is important to consider that most HEPA filters are protected by a number of preliminary fine particulate filters put in place to prevent the main filter from clogging. These filters must be replaced more often.

There are no GMP guidelines regarding HEPA filter use time. As a result of this, organisations typically establish internal guidelines on the frequency at which HEPA filters should be changed, created in line with their usage levels, and air hygiene requirements (with many being changed annually). In order for HEPA filters to operate properly, they should be free from leaks (and regularly tested for them), as per ISO 14644-3. When operating in high-risk areas where more sterile conditions are required, the filter should be checked every six months. In situations where maintaining aseptic conditions is less critical, the filters should be checked every 12 months. If leaks are found, they can be repaired given that the leaks take up only 0.5% of the filter surface per filter. Otherwise, they should be changed.

In addition to this, in ventilation systems in which the pressure drop is too high, HEPA filters may have to be changed.

The frequency at which commercial operations should clean air their ductwork systems depends on the amount of usage experienced by the system, and the specific hygiene requirements of the individual business.

Whilst commercial kitchen ductwork must remain free of mould and potential contaminants - its primary concern is the buildup of grease, which should be removed by accredited professionals every three to six months according to usage.

Ventilation systems present in factories and healthcare facilities in which sterile conditions are a concern, ductwork should be cleaned between every three and five years, though filters may need to be replaced more often.

‘Sick building syndrome’, a common issue for the occupants or users of school or office buildings, affects individuals in the form of repeated minor illnesses such as colds, flu and allergies. Whilst the causes of Sick Building Syndrome were unknown for a long period of time, it has now been shown to be a direct effect of poorly maintained ventilation systems. Ventilation systems left to harbour dirt and dust can become the home to potentially harmful particulates, meaning that when they are used, they have significant potential to spread dust and airborne microorganisms through a building. The Environmental Protection Agency has published studies showing that the air inside buildings can be as much as 70 times more polluted than the air outside where ventilation is not correctly maintained.

The amount of time taken to complete a commercial kitchen extract clean can depend on a number of factors, including the scale and accessibility of the extract system, the method most suitable for cleaning, and the provider selected to perform the service.

The cost of air hygiene cleaning is highly dependent on a number of factors, including the format and accessibility of the ventilation system in its entirety (including ductwork and filters), whether your cleaning service is offered on a contractual or one-off basis, and your selected provider. As air hygiene cleaning requirements can vary so significantly, the vast majority of service providers will charge within a set price range according to individual circumstance.

Ingot services are proud to offer our clients a free, no-obligation consultation, during which we’ll evaluate your ductwork cleaning requirements, and establish a price, which can be later sent over email.

Though ductwork can be hugely beneficial to maintaining a healthy environment within a building, when left without correct maintenance or exposed to poor conditions, it may become dangerous. When left without cleaning for significant periods of time, particularly where moisture and warm temperatures are present, ductwork is vulnerable to the growth of mould and potentially harmful bacteria. This may be spread throughout the ventilation system, compromising the health of building users, and potentially leading to 'sick building syndrome'.

It is essential to ensure ventilation systems and ductwork are correctly maintained and cleaned in order to avoid this.

The presence of mould in ductwork has the potential to negatively impact businesses and buildings operating across all sectors, from commercial kitchens to office buildings. With ductwork and ventilation systems able to spread spores and potentially harmful particulates through a building - impacting its users' health in the process, the presence of mould within them must be dealt with effectively.

The most effective line of defence against the growth of mould within commercial ductwork is regular air hygiene cleaning. Ideally conducted by accredited professionals in line with industry standards and legislation, air hygiene cleaning works to ensure the optimal cleanliness of both ductwork, and the filters present within it, removing all potential contaminants, and maintaining the health of both the building, and its users.