The problem of indoor air quality.
Origin of air pollution problems “INDOOR”
The topic of indoor air quality, extremely topical in the wider field of environmental protection, is of growing concern in Italy and in the world, arising from the awareness of the risks associated with it, and which is leading to the definition of dedicated technical and regulatory devices, which govern the proper management.
If we consider that in the societies of the developed countries the population spends a significant part of its time (about 75%) inside buildings or in other closed places, it is understandable why the phenomenon of indoor pollution is of primary importance in the perspective of effective protection of human health.
The WHO (World Health Organization) has estimated that 30% of newly built or renovated buildings present problems related to unsafe building syndrome (SBS), with consequences for the occupants in terms of general malaise, concentration difficulties and absenteeism.
The NEMI (National Energy Management Institute) estimates that 50% of the ventilation systems are unhealthy and that about 70% of the premises frequented by the public (hotels, restaurants, banks, etc.) have very degraded indoor air hygiene conditions, because of the dust and the contaminants raised by the movement inside the environment, which favor the proliferation of fungi and bacteria inside the air ducts.
Health damage from indoor air contamination: Asthma; Allergies; Bronchitis; General malaise.
The AIR® Tecnhology
AIR technology is an effective and reliable technology for the sanitization and monitoring of aeraulic systems. The wealth of technology and know-how acquired make GWA a leader in the remediation and sanitization of aeraulic ducts, with equipment and personnel able to operate in the most varied technical and operational conditions.
The AIR System is based on the action of a series of compressed air heads, different depending on the specific use, that spontaneously advance inside the pipes, with an effective range of up to 25 meters both horizontally and vertically.
The particular geometry of the holes along the inner perimeter of the heads also gives a centrifugal thrust that keeps the heads in constant contact with the inner walls of the ducts, while advancing inside them, regardless of the shape, by the section and type of material. Thanks to this peculiarity, the heads act as an air knife that separates deposits and contaminants, with speed and effectiveness that have no match in other traditional mechanical systems, all more or less expensive and necessarily partial.
The useful range of the heads allows the opening of an extremely small number of openings to the pipes and allows the work to be carried out in a very short time, minimizing interference with normal activities in the environments affected by treatment.
Among the important features of the ns. technology should be counted the system of collection of the removed material and purification of the air used, through a three-stage closed-loop filter equipment, the last of which, the absolute one (ULPA), ensures a filtration of 99,9999% up to the particle size of 0.12 microns, holding and killing bacteria and even viruses present inside the ducts on contact, thanks to an exclusive and patented impregnating substance. The activities are carried out according to a business protocol, drawn up in accordance with the specifications drawn up by the reference entities of the sector, such as:
NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Airconditioning Engineers
NADCA – National Air Ducts Cleaners Association
AIISA – Italian Association of Hygienists of Aeraulic Systems
Operating Protocol
Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS)
To guarantee their preparation and professionalism, GWA technicians are certified ASCS (Air Systems Cleaning Specialist). This type of certificate is obtained by passing a rigorous certification examination in which the ASCS candidate achieves a reputation of reliability and competence, demonstrating to possess the knowledge requirements in the field of remediation of HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), knowledge of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) procedures, safety standards relevant to the related works.
The ASCS certification is issued by NADCA and AIISA and not only emphasizes professional development, it is also an international credential that recognizes in a professional the knowledge and competence related to the hygiene of HVAC systems.
a) Prior inspection of the aeraulic systems, through the technical inspection, analysis of the blueprints, visual inspection UTA and channels, and planning of a strategic plan in agreement with the customer to define the execution times, the operating methods, and products to be used for sanitization. The technical inspection is carried out with the aid of a video acquisition unit and suitable equipment for the assessment of the degree of fouling of the channels and for the determination of microbiological pollution of surfaces and air.
b) Carrying out the cleaning and sanitization of the aeraulic systems, through different equipment and intervention techniques chosen according to the configuration of the plant and the difficulty of access.
c) Final inspection, consisting in the repetition of the determinations made before the intervention, as in point a).
d) Preparation of the final technical documentation, containing the technical report, the findings of the inspections and analyses carried out, attesting to the regular execution of the activities in compliance with the legal requirements and company procedures, a maintenance and control plan, and a digital media containing photos/ video captured.
Why perform aeraulic sanitization?
1) Compliance with Statutory Provisions
2) Health of Environmental Users
Restore normal microclimate values and improve optimal indoor air hygiene.
3) Indirect costs
– increased absenteeism;
– lower productivity;
– increased health costs;
– reduction of insurance costs
– reduction of fire hazards
– potential legal actions.
4) Direct costs
– significant savings in power consumption;
– reduction of plant maintenance costs in the medium and long term.
5) Energy Saving
==> 40% of the world’s energy consumption is due to buildings.
==> 60% of the energy consumption of a building is due to the HVAC system.
==> this means that 24% of the world’s energy consumption is due to the HVAC system.
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