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REDUCE THE RISK OF VIRUS TRANSMISSION
Many of you are currently making important decisions while juggling reduced numbers. Knowing that good building maintenance lowers your energy costs and helps reduce the transmission of pathogens, here are some maintenance tips beyond those related to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Let your fresh air systems run 24/7
- Replace your filter sets at regular intervals
- Use high efficiency filters in your HVAC systems
Ventilation systems:
Particles in ambient air are a means of transporting viruses. Air filtration plays an important role in reducing the risk of transmission.
The performance at which particles are removed by filters in HVAC systems varies considerably depending on the type of filter used and the size of the particles. The ASHRAE 52.2 standard lists 20 classes of MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters according to their effectiveness in eliminating different particle sizes. A higher MERV therefore eliminates more particles.
Air disinfection using ultraviolet (UV) light:
In recirculating systems, air disinfection can also be done using UV light, although this technique is not 100% effective.
Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye, but it can be used to disinfect and get rid of microorganisms, including chlorine-resistant protozoa. The sun emits UV light; however, most of it is absorbed by the earth's ozone layer.
In recirculating systems, air disinfection can also be done using UV light, although this technique is not 100% effective.
Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye, but it can be used to disinfect and get rid of microorganisms, including chlorine-resistant protozoa. The sun emits UV light; however, most of it is absorbed by the earth's ozone layer.
Benefits of UV installation:
When bacteria, viruses and protozoa are exposed to the germicidal wavelengths of UV light, they become unable to reproduce and lose their power of infection. The effect of ultraviolet radiation on bacteria has been widely documented. There are several installation methods; either in ventilation ducts, coils or inside a room.
