Cleaning and disinfection of air conditioning systems: requirements and procedure for cleaning

Equipment types

The process of cleaning air ducts and other devices of the ventilation system involves the use of technology.

Brush machine and other ventilation cleaning equipment

With this technique, dirt, dust and grease accumulations are easily separated from the walls. Ventilation cleaning equipment includes the following categories:

• Diagnostic equipment;
• Cleaning equipment.

First, when cleaning the system, a state assessment is performed. Used diagnostic devices. Then appropriate equipment and materials for cleaning are selected. Sometimes after cleaning, an assessment of the condition of the cleaned system is also carried out.

Cleaning equipment

Cleaning equipment is divided into:

• brush machine;
• Vacuum fixture;
• filtering mechanism.

The brush machine is an installation that, when moving along the channel, removes layers of dirt. It is intended only for dust particles, but not for grease, as grease forgets the fibers of the brushes. Regarding the degree of contamination, brushes of various shapes, stiffness, and material of manufacture are selected.

The vacuum device works on the principle of suction of residues separated during cleaning of the walls. This device is connected to the ventilation outlet. The device removes not only dirt, but also the means used during work.

The filtering mechanism consists of coarse and fine filters, which contributes to the retention of dust in the accumulating blocks.

The equipment comes in different sizes and with different parameters of the components. The operator during the cleaning procedure changes the direction of movement of the brushes. The period of use of the equipment depends on the degree of contamination. The end of cleaning can be determined by the remaining dust on the filter element.

With the mechanical cleaning method, electromechanical devices, vacuum cleaners, compressed air installations and other cleaning elements are used.

With a chemical cleaning method, a foam roller is attached to the brush, which is impregnated with a special agent.

Diagnostic equipment

The duct cleaning diagnostic equipment is used to analyze the condition of the duct area. It is divided into:

• Manipulators equipped with mini-cameras, remote control;
• Robots.

Manipulators are a flexible cable, on the end of which a video camera is attached. To improve visibility, the camera is equipped with a backlight. Through the available hatches for cleaning the air ducts, the manipulators are placed inside and move along the channel. The cable length can be up to 40 meters. If the number of hatches is not enough, then additional holes are cut out, which, after inspection, are sealed.

Robots are used in the analysis of large channels. They are controlled remotely. As a result, a video recording is obtained, on the basis of which the test result is compiled.

When using such diagnostic devices, the operator receives data on the state of the object, the degree of contamination.

The ventilation system assumes the presence of a network of air ducts located in horizontal and vertical positions. In addition to air ducts, there are fans, devices for air distribution. Equipment for cleaning ventilation systems includes related devices that help to assess the degree of functioning:

• Multimeter;
• sound level meter;

The multimeter finds application in measuring the concentration of dust particles of various sizes, temperature and humidity readings.

Sound Level Meter Testo Sound Level Meter

The sound level meter measures the indications of noise exposure during the operation of the ventilation system. Noise impacts appear during improper operation of fans, air ducts, air distribution mechanism, throttle valves.

Equipment for cleaning the ventilation systems of large enterprises can include both mechanical installations and installations using chemicals. The complete set of cleaning installations usually consists of vacuum cleaners, flexible shafts, sprayers, brushes of huge sizes.

Periodic ventilation cleaning contributes to efficient and accurate operation. When choosing equipment, it is worth focusing on the place of work, the composition of contaminants in the channels. Clean ventilation ensures comfortable indoor conditions.

How do you know when cleaning is needed?

In order to determine the quality of the ventilation system, use special instruments, for example, anemometers, which will show the speed of air movement. When measuring the cross-sectional area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe channel and taking into account the measured speed, you can calculate how much air passes through a unit of time, and then compare the result with the standards specified in SNiP and DBN. But everything is not so simple, since the result must be taken into account with climatic and atmospheric conditions.

For this reason, it would be foolish to talk about the method of diagnosing ventilation using the “put a piece of paper on the grate” method. Although if the leaf does not fall off the lattice and holds, then the traction is considered good, but these are approximate signs, and even during the day they can change.

Another reason for poor-quality ventilation is the activities that are carried out for insulation and buildings and houses. When installing fully sealed windows and doors, as well as when insulating walls, access to clean air is completely blocked, and the hood will stop working altogether. For this reason, it is necessary to provide the necessary air supply and exhaust in the office, house or apartment.

It is much more difficult to understand at what time it is necessary to clean and disinfect the air ducts of ventilation systems with mechanical systems. They need to check and compare the calculated real parameters that were provided during the design. Such a system should provide the design flow rate, multiplicity, speed, temperature and cleanliness throughout the technical documentation. You also need to check the condition of the air duct, the cleanliness of the grilles, valves, filters and fan blades, the condition of the drive, electrical control, heat exchanger and drainage system.

So, it turns out that only professionals should evaluate the quality of ventilation and carry out all the necessary measurements. Only people with deep knowledge in this matter will be able to correctly assess the condition, find out for what reason the hood is clogged or does not work well, how well the ventilation works and for what reasons it makes noise. This is responsible, and only professionals can be entrusted with such a thing.

What is assessed during the examination?

Air conditioner service technicians recommend that you inspect the unit regularly. The more often this happens, the better.

The main points to be noted are:

• The tightness of the freon circuit;
• The appearance of the oil inside the compressor unit.

With regard to the first recommendation, here attention is paid to two nuances:

• The presence of a freon leak;
• No breaks in the circuit due to which moisture can enter the system.

Pay attention to the integrity of the wires through which power is supplied, and the quality of the broach of the contacts. Just in case, tighten all the mounting screws

Remember that all work is carried out with the air conditioner turned off.

Monitoring the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems

To control the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems, the following is carried out:

visual assessment of the residual degree of pollution using laboratory methods of air research;

Note

Material sampling for laboratory testing should be carried out from the surface of HVAC components potentially susceptible to microbial growth (filters, silencers, cooling towers, local air conditioners, humidifiers, cooler and recuperator heat exchangers and their drain pans).

air sampling (recommended to be carried out in places where air flows into the premises).

The effectiveness of cleaning is evaluated according to the results of laboratory studies after disinfection measures.

Important!

The results of laboratory air tests must comply with the requirements of sanitary rules and established standards for indoor air for each specific category of objects. At the same time, the presence of pathogenic microflora in indoor air, ventilation systems and air conditioners is not allowed.

The results of the control are entered into the Journal of cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems at the facility.

In each institution, by order of the head, a person is appointed directly responsible for the operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems, or an agreement is concluded with a specialized organization for maintenance.Control over the cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems is carried out in the process of production control, expert control and control within the framework of the state sanitary and epidemiological supervision.

Production control of the ventilation and air conditioning system by legal entities, individual entrepreneurs must be carried out independently. The purpose of production control is to ensure the safety and harmlessness for humans and the environment of the harmful effects of production control objects through the proper implementation of sanitary rules, sanitary and anti-epidemic measures.

Production control of the ventilation and air conditioning system includes:

• conducting laboratory research and testing;
• organization of medical examinations;
• professional training and certification of officials and workers involved in the operation, maintenance, cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems;
• accounting and reporting established by applicable law

All production control measures are reflected in the Production Control Program drawn up by a legal entity, an individual entrepreneur.

Expert control is carried out at the initiative of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs to confirm and ensure the safety and harmlessness for humans and the environment of their activities. In addition, expert control is carried out if the materials of control measures are necessary for submission to licensing bodies, certification bodies.

The procedure and frequency of state sanitary and epidemiological control are regulated by:

• Federal Law No. 134-FZ of 08.08.2001 “On the Protection of the Rights of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs during State Control (Supervision)”;
• Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 24, 2000 No. 554 (as amended on September 15, 2005) “On Approval of the Regulations on the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the Russian Federation and the Regulations on State Sanitary and Epidemiological Rationing”.

Within the framework of the state sanitary and epidemiological supervision, control is exercised over compliance with the requirements of sanitary legislation, over the implementation of cleaning and disinfection of ventilation and air conditioning systems, and an assessment is made of the timeliness, completeness and objectivity of the results of production and expert control.

Methods for removing contaminants

At the moment, ventilation and air conditioning systems are cleaned in three ways:

• mechanical removal of dirty deposits from vertical channels;
• automated cleaning of air ducts by dry method;
• combined foam wash.

Foam (pictured left) and dry (right) method of cleaning the inner walls

The first option is practiced for punching vertical shafts of multi-storey buildings. Having risen to the roof, the performer lowers a weight with a metal ruff or brush into the air duct. A layer of dirt and grease is torn off from the brick (concrete) walls mechanically, the waste is showered into the "pocket" of the mine or raked out in the apartment through the opening.

The remaining two options are more effective, since they are implemented using modern technology. The equipment allows you to work on industrial air ducts of any configuration and various laying methods. It is not necessary to completely disassemble the ventilation.

Air conditioner cleaners

Disinfection of the device can be carried out:

• aerosol;
• spray;
• solution of granules or tablets.

The aerosol is easy to use. The liquid is packed in sealed containers; when used, a fine spray of drops of a disinfectant occurs.

Spray is also a liquid, but for disinfection you need to purchase a sprayer. Sold in plastic containers.

The means by which disinfection is carried out:

Bon BN-153. Czech product, active against many pathogens. 0.5 liters cost about 450 rubles.

"Secucept-active". The drug is represented by granules, which are dissolved to obtain a disinfecting solution. This is a medical device, but parts rust from it, therefore it requires rinsing. The price for 1.5 kg is 11,780 rubles.

Airco Cleaner. It is represented by 2 solutions - a cleaner (it is poured first) and an antiseptic, which is acted upon after the first component. Produced by Belgium. For 100 g they can ask from 1000 rubles.

After the disinfection of the air conditioner has been carried out, tablets can be placed in the drainage.

The car also has an air conditioner in which a filter is installed. Air is taken in from the street, diluting the cabin. In this case, pathogenic microorganisms may enter with their subsequent reproduction, which will lead to a deterioration in the climate in the cabin.

Disinfection of the evaporator of a machine air conditioner is possible in an accessible way - chlorhexidine and alcohol. The method is cheap, and the components included in the composition are active against many microorganisms.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Mix 400 ml of chlorhexidine, 100 ml of alcohol. Pour into a container with a spray bottle.
2. Clean the evaporator of debris. Spray the new filter with liquid, install.
3. Put the air conditioner on the air intake from the passenger compartment. In this case, there should be a minimum temperature and a maximum number of revolutions.
4. Irrigate the air intake with 80–100 ml at intervals of 15 minutes. Pour the product into the air ducts, letting them stand for 20 minutes.
5. Repeat the procedure outside, switching to the air intake from the street. Wipe off the rest with a cloth.

You can add essential oil or a mixture of them, but not more than 20 drops in total.

Another option for disinfecting the air conditioner is to use ready-made products, for example, Bright or Decoris foam cleaner (both cost around 220 rubles per 500 ml). The drug is applied to the filter according to the instructions.

Why you need to clean the ventilation ducts

Residents of apartments think that the air in the apartment is clean, but in reality this is not always the case. It contains carbon monoxide from the stove, dust particles, pet hair. Odors from the kitchen and toilet circulate throughout the apartment, and the air contains pathogens and harmful bacteria. The complete absence of air exchange increases the humidity of bathrooms, which contributes to the appearance of mold and fungus on the walls. All this affects the state of the microclimate, affects the comfort of living and the health of residents. The risk of developing allergies and other diseases of the respiratory system increases.

Malfunction of ventilation entails other life and health threatening consequences, such as:

• an increase in the fire hazard of the apartment due to the risk of fire in the ventilation ducts of dust, cobwebs, fat deposits
• increased dustiness - dust will be deposited faster, the lack of traction leads to its migration into the apartment

Cleaning the ventilation ducts prevents all negative consequences. Clean air in the apartment, without pathogens and dangerous suspensions, will favorably affect the microclimate and the health of the inhabitants of the dwelling.

Ventilation cleaning is a must

Indeed, with an unprofessional eye, external changes in the operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems may not be noticed: the fan continues to work, air, albeit in smaller volumes, but enters. Over time, the change in air flow seems to be imperceptible, and the problem does not seem so obvious. And the possible infectious danger is not taken into account at all, since it is not noticeable to the eye. In addition to reducing the set parameters of ventilation operation, there is a risk of ignition of deposits from grease and dust. In addition, on In heat exchangers and in the drainage system of air conditioning, pathogenic bacteria and mold multiply and spread in the indoor air.

Photo1. Dirty air duct before cleaning.	Photo2. Active foam is applied using a brush machine.	Photo3. Air duct after cleaning and flushing.

The cost of disinfection and ventilation cleaning

The assessment of the scope of work is made finally after the inspection. Departure of a specialist for inspection is free.

ESTIMATED COST OF VENTILATION CLEANING
Cafes, restaurants	18000 - 35000 rubles
Hotels, shopping centers and others	from 35000 rub
Educational institutions	25000 - 95000 rub
Chimneys of stoves and barbecues	from 18000 rub

The cost of cleaning and disinfection of ventilation systems depends on the type of pollution, the length of air ducts and pipelines, as well as their diameter.In addition, secondary factors, such as the complexity of the system, the difficulty of access to system elements, the current state of the equipment, and other factors, have an impact on the final cost of work. For an accurate calculation of the cost of work, please contact our managers.

APPROXIMATE COST OF CLEANING BY ELEMENTS OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM
Name	Unit rev.	Price
Dust cleaning of air ducts	linear m	from 150 rub
Cleaning of air ducts from; fatty deposits	linear m	from 400 rub
Cleaning umbrellas from fat deposits	PCS.	from 1000 rub
Cleaning the fan snail	PCS.	from 1000 rub
Cleaning the air handling unit	PCS.	from 2500 rub
Filter replacement	PCS.	from 1500 rub
Videos inspection	PCS.	from 5 000 rub
Total Microbial Count (TMC)	PCS.	1200 rub
Sanitary and epidemiological examination (with drawing up an act)	PCS.	Treaty

Note: The Contractor reserves the right in some cases to change the prices of the price list, depending on the complexity of the work, the condition of the equipment and the possibility of access to it.

Ventilation system disinfection procedure

Who should conduct

Carrying out the activities under consideration on your own is fraught with dangerous consequences for the health of those living in an apartment or house. It should be trusted only to appropriate specialists who regularly undergo training and improve their professional competence. Organizations that have proven themselves in this area will definitely make the necessary flushes from the details of the system before starting work.

This is necessary for laboratory analyzes of the composition of microflora and for deciding on the use of specific disinfectants. You can try to clean the ventilation in an apartment or house on your own.At an enterprise or in an institution, this is unprofitable due to the scale of work.

Event Requirements

There are several basic requirements:

• chemicals should be used only as specified in the operating instructions for ventilation equipment;
• they must cope with those types of microorganisms that were detected during preliminary laboratory tests;
• specialists hired to carry out disinfection procedures must have the required level of qualification.

Chemical preparations for ventilation disinfection

There are plenty of disinfectants on the market today. However, the following are especially popular with specialized companies: Biopag-D, Frisept and the universal detergent Aquaminol-Forte. It is worth remembering that the final result depends not only on the means, but also on the method and time of processing.

Safety measures during disinfection of ventilation systems

Specialists who disinfect ventilation ducts must strictly adhere to the rules that they are introduced to during the briefing. Security measures are also important, among which the main ones can be distinguished:

• you must always have personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, respirator, goggles);
• try to protect open areas of the skin from getting a disinfectant solution;
• in case of contact with the chemical preparation on the skin, immediately rinse it with water, in case of urgent need, consult a doctor;
• during the execution of procedures, the room is freed from strangers.

Nuances (frequency of execution, what to do after the procedure)

Complete cleaning and disinfection and maintenance of the equipment should be carried out annually.If necessary, the procedure is done more often. Its essence boils down to spraying the solution with a special device that allows the substance to get into hard-to-reach places. After the time required for disinfection, a general cleaning is carried out and, in the case of a medical organization, final disinfection to achieve high cleanliness rates.

After that, the obtained results are evaluated by repeated flushing for laboratory analysis. If necessary, cleaning activities are done again.

SanPiN requirements for ventilation of premises

Analysis of the situation

At this stage:

• Project documentation and device passports are being reviewed.
• The general condition of the equipment, its efficiency, quality of installation, integrity, need for repair are assessed.
• The system is inspected for visible contamination.
• Microclimate measurements are taken, materials are taken for laboratory analysis.
• The results of the check are recorded in an act of the established form, a sample of which can be found in Appendix 1 to Order 107.

Development of an action plan

The processing plan includes:

Method for cleaning the system.
Choice of funds.
Calculation of the required amount of chemicals.
List of necessary equipment for work.
Precautionary measures.
Installation / dismantling of the system and its parts.

Carrying out cleaning

How exactly the cleaning and disinfection of ventilation systems is carried out is regulated by the sanitary standards, but the process itself can vary significantly depending on the degree and nature of the pollution, so it is rather difficult to describe a single sequence of actions here.Order 107 contains detailed instructions for cleaning individual parts of the system, which a specialist can use as a guide to action.

Result evaluation

The evaluation of the cleaning result, as well as the initial analysis of the situation, is also carried out using laboratory tests, air samples and visual inspection, but the results are not recorded in the act, but in a special log book that the company must have. The availability of the required documents confirms that the SanPiN requirements for the ventilation of premises at this facility are fully met.

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Outdoor unit cleaning steps

Unlike the indoor unit, the outdoor unit can be cleaned with less frequency - twice a year is enough. It accumulates foliage from trees, branches, dirt, fluff and much more. If not clean outdoor unit, increases the risk of overheating of the radiator and compressor, as well as reducing their service life.

The difficulty is that access to the module is not always possible. Despite the installation of the outdoor unit near a window or balcony, it is not always possible to get to it without a safety belt and special equipment.

If you do not want to risk your life, you should call specialists.

If there are no difficulties with prevention, do the following:

• Turn off the power of the device (remove the plug from the mains).
• Remove various contaminants from the surface.
• Remove the protective housing and clean the inside of debris.
• Clean the fan blades with a damp cloth.
• Clean the radiator with a steam cleaner or a jet of water. Be careful not to get moisture on the electrical part of the device.

How to clean the ventilation duct yourself?

Self-cleaning of air ducts in a residential building is a rather complicated procedure, which is still better to be entrusted to professionals. It is extremely difficult for a homeowner without special equipment to remove pollution qualitatively and not violate the integrity of the system.

Also, ventilation complexes are common property, so the management company should deal with their maintenance. Physically, a resident can only clean the section of the mine adjacent to his apartment, which will not be enough to restore the full functioning of ventilation.

However, some of the work can still be done. It is first necessary to warn the neighbors about the upcoming cleaning, as noise will be created during the work, and particles of debris can fly into the living room from the ventilation openings on the floors below.

Before starting work, it is also necessary to take care of personal protective equipment: a respirator, durable gloves, goggles. It is better to cover the floor under the ventilation hole with rags, since during the work a large amount of debris may spill out.

Independent cleaning of the ventilation duct can hardly be called a pleasant procedure. However, it is worth remembering the possible surprises that may await the owner of the home during cleaning. Often, in addition to dust, grease and cobwebs, the remains of rodents or birds, pieces of glass can be found in the mine

The procedure for cleaning the ventilation duct next:

1. Remove the ventilation grille or remove the exhaust fan. Rinse the grate or clean the hood as instructed.
2. Visually inspect the ventilation duct, highlighting the cavity with a flashlight.
3. If there is large debris in the shaft, such as stones, remove it manually as carefully as possible.
4. Using a metal brush or spatula, carefully scrape off deposits from the walls of the shaft.
5. Remove residual dirt with a vacuum cleaner without using brushes. However, this stage is quite unsafe, below we will explain why.
6. Wipe the cleaned walls with a damp cloth.
7. Replace the ventilation grill or reassemble the exhaust fan.

The use of a conventional household vacuum cleaner in the process of cleaning the ventilation duct is an extremely dubious step, which most apartment owners still resort to. The danger of such cleaning is that bacteria and fungi from the mine can easily bypass the filters of equipment and enter the apartment in large numbers. It is also forbidden to use the vacuum cleaner in blowing mode, as all rubbish through the ventilation holes on other floors will simply fall into other people's apartments.

In addition to blowing with a vacuum cleaner, when cleaning the ventilation duct on your own, it is forbidden to use special chemicals for cleaning and disinfection. Without knowledge and skills, an ordinary user will not be able to correctly calculate the concentration suitable for spraying. Too aggressive composition can damage the walls of the air ducts or cause poisoning of residents. Dry ice is the only household cleaner.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The sequence for cleaning ventilation and air conditioning systems is shown in this video:

p> Currently, modern cleaning methods make it possible to remove complex contaminants and fight harmful microorganisms without dismantling ventilation systems.

The technical capabilities of devices and means for cleaning ventilation ducts make it possible not to disturb people in the building during work. And control over the systematic conduct of cleaning will protect a person from diseases and ensure the flow of clean air into residential and office premises, which will help create a healthy climate inside.

In the feedback box below the article, you can ask questions or add useful suggestions and tips on cleaning ventilation and air conditioning systems based on your own experience.