Ventilation in Airports: Ensuring Air Quality While You Wait
So, you’re all packed, and you’ve arrived at the airport—now there’s nothing to do but wait. But have you ever stopped to consider the quality of the air you’re breathing in such a vast space filled with hundreds of other travellers? With so many people sharing the same air, how good is the air quality really?
While often overlooked, proper ventilation cleaning is essential for maintaining the health and safety of everyone in the building. Over time, uncleaned ductwork can severely impact air quality and system efficiency. Dust, bacteria, and pollutants can accumulate in the ventilation system, creating an environment that may affect your well-being.
Understanding the TR19® Air specification
TR19® Air, issued by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), is the specification to which ventilation ductwork should be tested, inspected and cleaned. The first step in compliance is a thorough system inspection to determine whether the ductwork needs cleaning.
TR19® Air recommends three testing methods to assess the cleanliness and safety of your ventilation systems:
1. EVT (European Vacuum Test): This method aligns with European norms and helps categorise the system into Low, Medium, or High cleanliness classes.
2. DTT (Deposit Thickness Test): This assesses the depth of accumulated deposits within the ductwork.
3. Microbiological Testing: This helps in identifying potential microbial contaminants that could affect air quality.
Depending on the occupancy and use of the space, different areas will have varying cleanliness requirements. For instance, a storage room may only require a ‘Low’ cleanliness rating, while critical healthcare areas, offices, and laboratories may need to meet ‘Medium’ or ‘High’ classifications to ensure occupant safety.
Cleaning Methods and Maintenance
If your ductwork system does require cleaning, there are several effective approaches. Options include mechanical brushing, air jet cleaning, or manual methods. Systems can then be either visually re-tested or by using the EVT again. It’s also crucial to consider the installation of additional access doors to facilitate future inspections in accordance with the TR19® Air specifications.
The Importance of Compliance
At Swiftclean, we are proud members of the BESCA Ventilation Hygiene Register (VHR). BESCA is BESA’s certification arm, dedicated to auditing our work to maintain high standards and managing a database of post-clean verification reports. This gives our clients and their insurers peace of mind that ventilation systems are being properly maintained.
Our teams are highly experienced in the field, and work at all of the main UK airports, having passed their rigorous security protocols. So you can be assured that we possess the technical expertise necessary to deliver compliant duct cleaning services. With comprehensive post-clean reports, we help satisfy building insurers and safeguard the health of all building occupants.
As you await your flight, you can rest easy knowing that with the right ventilation standards and maintenance practices, the air quality in airports can be effectively managed for a safer, healthier experience.
Read more on our dedicated Ductwork cleaning page www.swiftclean.co.uk/duct-cleaning/
