|
Commercial Frequently Asked Questions
1. I see dirt streaks
around my registers, do my ducts need cleaning?
2. Be sure your facility
maintains a positive interior air pressure.
3. My air conditioner
smells when it starts up, is there a problem?
4. What are ultraviolet
lights and are they a benefit to me?
5. What is Sick Building
Syndrome?
6. Are some HVAC systems
more susceptible to IAQ complaints?
7. What is mold and
fungi?
8. What can cause poor
indoor air quality?
9. What can I do to
prevent an indoor air quality problem?
10. Guidelines for
Basic Indoor Air Quality
I see dirt streaks around my registers, do
my ducts need cleaning?
No, dirt streaks are almost always caused by poor
design. All air has dirt in it. If the speed (velocity)
of the air exiting your register is higher than
it should be the dirt is actually impacted on
the wall or ceiling surface. A solution is to
add another register from the same duct serving
this register; this reduces the speed of the air
by distributing it to two registers instead of
one. It will also reduce the air noise coming
from the original register.
return to top
Be sure your facility maintains a positive
interior air pressure.
It is very important that your building exhales
instead of inhales. A slight positive pressure
will keep outdoor contaminants from entering your
building through the path of least resistance
such as when a door opens etc.
return to top
My air conditioner smells when it starts up,
is there a problem?
There could be. This odor is sometimes referred
to as dirty socks syndrome. It is typically caused
by dirty cooling coils that are contaminated with
mold. Cleaning the coil may work for a short period
of time. The proper solution is to clean and disinfect
the coil and install an ultraviolet germicidal
light source to prevent the re-contamination of
the coil. The addition of this UV light provides
some additional benefits such as better heat transfer
on the coil and a significant reduction of mold/fungi/bacteria
in the air stream.
return to top
What are ultraviolet lights and are they a benefit
to me?
Ultraviolet lights for HVAC systems generate a
UV light in the germicidal band range. The UV
light kills the mold and bacteria by destroying
its DNA and stopping it from reproducing. This
can and will improve the indoor air quality in
your home. And, if properly placed near the cooling
coil will help eliminate microbial problems associated
with wet cooling coils.
return to top
What is Sick Building Syndrome?
The ASHRAE definition is as follows:SICK BUILDING
SYNDROME: "SBS" If more than 20 percent
of the building occupants complain of such problems
as headache, eye irritation, fatigue and dizziness
for more than two weeks; if the symptoms are relieved
when the complainant leaves the building; and,
if no specific cause of the problem can be identified.
(ASHRAE Journal, July 1988, p.40)
return to top
Are some HVAC systems more susceptible to IAQ
complaints?
Well maintained constant volume HVAC systems generally
have fewer complaints than Variable Air Volume
(VAV) systems. The main reason is that a properly
maintained constant volume system provides a constant
airflow to the occupants and consistently provides
outside for dilution purposes. VAV systems due
their inherent design vary the airflow to match
the actual load regardless of the number of occupants
in the space. The problem can be corrected, contact
us for more information.
return to top
What is mold and fungi?
Basically mold and fungi are organisms that break
down organic matter such as wood and other cellulose
materials. For more in-depth definition see, IAQ
Glossary.
return to top
What can cause poor indoor air quality?
Poor IAQ can be caused by many things such as:
poorly designed HVAC systems, HVAC systems not
being properly operated or maintained, not enough
outside air being brought into the system, poor
air circulation. It is important that IAQ complaints
be documented and that appropriate professionals
are used to determine the extent, if any, of the
problem. Ignoring an IAQ problem will only make
it worse.
return to top
What can I do to prevent an indoor air quality
problem?
· First, know your HVAC system and keep
all system documentation.
· Select a competent quality contractor
to service your equipment.
· Properly maintain your HVAC system and
periodically have an independent third party verify
that proper
maintenance is being done.
· Use high quality filters
.· Be sure the proper outside air is being
brought into the system per ASHRAE 62 standards.
return to top
Mold questions?
Contact
Us
Guidelines for Basic Indoor Air Quality
The US EPA, NIOSH and CDC have developed guidelines
for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality.
· Proper ventilation. Document that ventilation
rates are consistent with ASHRAE 62 standards.
· Provide acceptable comfort levels for
most occupants (ASHRAE 55-1991).
· Maintain mechanical equipment and building
surfaces in reasonably sanitary condition.
· Isolate significant emission sources
from occupied spaces.
· Control major sources of contamination
promptly.
· Control humidity and moisture intrusion.
· Conduct operations, maintenance, and
construction activity to minimize occupant exposures.
· Resolve problems quickly.
· Communicate with all occupants.
· Document, document, document.
return to top
|
