How do HTM requirements and BESA TR19® Air work together?
Effective ventilation is essential in healthcare environments, where air quality directly influences patient safety, infection control, and regulatory compliance. To meet these expectations, Facilities Managers must navigate both the strategic requirements set out in HTM-03-01 guidance and the practical methodologies provided by BESA TR19® Air. Understanding how these two frameworks complement each other ensures that hospital ventilation systems are not only compliant on paper, but consistently safe, efficient, and maintained to the highest standards.
HTM-03-01 versus BESA TR19 Air
HTM-03-01 guidance defines what outcomes are required, safe, effective, and reliable ventilation systems, while BESA TR19® Air provides the how. Facilities managers can use TR19® Air to establish inspection methods, cleanliness benchmarks, and verification processes that support HTM compliance, clinical risk management, and CQC inspections.
How often should hospital ventilation systems be inspected and cleaned under HTM-03-01 guidance?
HTM-03-01 guidance requires ventilation systems to be maintained so they continue to perform as designed, particularly in critical clinical areas. Inspection and cleaning frequencies should be risk-based, reflecting clinical use, occupancy, and environmental conditions. BESA TR19® Air supports this approach through condition-based assessments, allowing facilities managers to justify cleaning intervals using measured contamination levels rather than arbitrary timeframes.
What records and evidence are required to demonstrate HTM-03-01 compliance?
Facilities managers should maintain comprehensive documentation, including inspection reports, risk assessments, cleaning schedules, and verification results. Under BESA TR19® Air, this includes pre- and post-clean testing, photographic evidence, and cleanliness measurements. These records support HTM compliance, infection control audits, and provide assurance during CQC inspections or internal governance reviews.
Conclusion
By aligning HTM-03-01 requirements with the structured processes in BESA TR19® Air, healthcare organisations can create a robust, evidence-based approach to ventilation system management. This combined framework empowers Facilities Managers to confidently meet regulatory obligations, maintain safer clinical environments, and demonstrate strong governance during audits or inspections. Ultimately, the integration of HTM-03-01 outcomes with TR19® Air’s practical guidance supports better patient care by ensuring that ventilation systems remain clean, compliant, and capable of performing when it matters most.
