Contact Us
For expert air duct cleaning and ventilation testing
Call Us 24/7 On 0808 159 1403 or Contact Us Online
Air Handling System Monitoring and Deep Cleaning
The monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of indoor air ductwork and associated equipment plays a vital role in ensuring everyone working within a building has access to clean, fresh air. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene are expert providers of monitoring and cleaning services for air duct systems, supplying TR 19® compliant services to all types of commercial customers.
According to the BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) “At the heart of TR 19® lies a foundational belief that every building should not just feel safe but truly embody a standard of cleanliness that is quantifiable and achievable. This core principle is more than a guideline; it is a commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who steps into a building, whether for work, leisure, or residence”.
Contact us today to speak with our specialist air consultants using the contact form, or chat with us here to arrange your free no obligation survey.
What Are Air Handling Systems?
A commercial air handling system is a complex system, designed to provide clean, fresh air throughout a building. From filters to fans, cooling coils to heat exchangers, each component has a vital part to play.
HVAC Unit
An HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit is the comprehensive system responsible for managing the indoor air quality and temperature of a building. It's not just about cooling or heating; it’s a complete set-up that moves, filters, heats, and cools air throughout a home or business.
The unit works by drawing in air, treating it by either heating or cooling it, and then distributing this conditioned air through a network of ducts. Additionally, the filtration component removes airborne particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, ensuring the air you breathe is clean and healthy.
AHU
Within an HVAC setup, you have an air handling unit (AHU). Think of it as the central hub where air is processed before being distributed. The AHU houses fans, filters and dehumidifiers that condition the air by cleaning it, controlling its humidity, and then circulating it throughout the building.
Ductwork
Regardless of the size, a system of ductwork (a network of tubes and pipes) is needed to move air into and out of the building. Fresh air is taken in from outside the building, and dirty exhaust air is removed from the building. Many installs also have recirculation systems. Proper access to the ductwork is essential to allow for regular inspection, cleaning and maintenance to ensure good air quality.
A commercial HVAC system is designed to not only provide clean, healthy air, but also to monitor and regulate the indoor environment to help improve the comfort and wellbeing of occupants. Its upkeep is therefore paramount in ensuring happy, healthy staff, customers and visitors.
Why Regular Monitoring and Cleaning Of HVAC Systems Is Essential
Health and wellbeing: Regular monitoring and cleaning is essential to prevent dust, debris, mould, bacteria, and allergens becoming established and finding their way into occupied areas. In office or commercial buildings this can lead to respiratory issues in staff, and is a cause of sick building syndrome. In healthcare settings the presence of pollutants and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can have serious consequences should they find their way into clinical environments. Regular monitoring and cleaning of Air Handling Units, and associated ductwork is a key part of infection control and forms a significant element of improved employee wellbeing and safety.
Energy consumption: As well as the positive health benefits a well-maintained system provides, there are substantial environmental and economic gains to be made by keeping it in tip top condition. A large HVAC system consumes a large amount of energy, in fact in many buildings it is the single most expensive part of the building's running costs. Poorly maintained units with excessive dust and debris in ducting, or damaged fans and filters, can create additional strain on the operating systems, requiring more energy through inefficiency. Ensuring a system is checked and cleaned regularly will mean it is operating at its most efficient level, potentially saving thousands of pounds every year and improving your buildings carbon footprint.
Legislation: The maintenance of an indoor air handling system is also a legal requirement. Commercial ventilation system maintenance and ventilation hygiene inspections are a statutory requirement under Regulations 5 and 6 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
TR19® Air and the Health Technical Memorandum 03-01: Specialised ventilation for healthcare premises provide clear guidance on the requirements for monitoring, cleaning and maintaining indoor air ductwork and ventilation. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene operate to both standards to help you provide safe, clean indoor air in your buildings.
Risks of Poorly Maintained Systems
Poorly maintained air duct systems can have a significant negative impact throughout a building.
Mould and unpleasant odours: Should air duct systems be poorly maintained, the negative impacts are felt throughout a building. A build-up of mould from damp conditions in or around HVAC systems and ductwork can quickly spread through the ventilation system. This creates unpleasant odours, making for a less than ideal working environment.
Reduced productivity: Poor air circulation can make a workspace feel stale. Where ventilation is inadequate, a rise in carbon dioxide levels can lead to a noticeable drop in staff productivity.
Increased spread of illness: During viral outbreaks like Norovirus or Influenza, a poorly maintained ventilation system can worsen the problem. By transporting airborne infectious droplets from one area to another, it can increase the rate of transmission and lead to greater absenteeism.
Sectors That Benefit From Air Handling Services
Air handling units, ventilation systems, and ductwork are vital in any indoor environment—but some sectors face greater risks due to high occupancy, specialist operations, or strict compliance requirements.
TR19® Air Guidelines
The TR19® Air Guidelines set out best practice standards for the cleanliness of ventilation systems in commercial and public buildings. Published by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), it addresses the increasing emphasis on indoor air quality and its impact on health, comfort, and safety.
This updated specification provides detailed guidance on the cleaning, maintenance, and verification of internal ductwork cleanliness. It helps building owners, operators, contractors, and consultants meet legal obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, BS EN 15780, and other relevant standards ~ The BESA
TR19® Air, also known as Internal Cleanliness Of Ventilation Systems: A Guide To Good Practice, is the industry standard for the inspection and maintenance of air ventilation systems and gives defined levels of cleanliness that must be reached in order to conform.
What Does TR19® Compliance Look Like?
Rentokil Specialist Hygiene are members of BESA and work to BESA’s criteria to provide TR 19® compliant, professional ventilation monitoring and deep cleaning for your air ventilation system, along with a detailed post-clean TR 19® compliant report with every service.
In order to ensure a TR 19® compliant system, you should employ the services of a member of the Ventilation Hygiene Register (VHR) or similar. This is the list of approved service providers according to BESCA (Building Engineering Services Competent Assessment) criteria. Rentokil are members of the VHR for both Kitchen Extract and Air Ventilation cleaning and monitoring.
What TR19® Air Services do Rentokil Offer?
We provide:
- A monitoring and inspection service to regularly inspect, measure and report on levels of cleanliness
- A full cleaning service for your ductwork, whether on a scheduled basis or on the back of an inspection showing a requirement for a clean.
A monitoring contract can save money compared to cleaning throughout where only certain areas actually require it. By employing Rentokil to regularly inspect and measure the cleanliness of your system, you create a bespoke maintenance plan unique to your systems needs and in full compliance with industry guidance and best practice.
A compliant system should:
- Be regularly inspected by a competent person. The frequency of such is defined by the system quality class and is different for each part of a system.
- Be accessed at a number of points throughout the system for inspection.
- Have levels of dry deposit measured using the PVT ( Preferred Vacuum Test) method. This gives independent analysis of the internal cleanliness of the ductwork according to the set standard.
- Be cleaned where levels of dry deposit exceed maximum threshold limits.
- Show cleanliness both before and after a clean through visual inspection and photographic records.
- Have written records of inspections and cleans in the form of detailed inspection reports or post-clean verification reports. Where a full system clean is carried out it will be reflected in the report. Where recommendations for access improvements etc are made they should be detailed in the report also.
Rentokil Specialist Hygienes air handling services include both regular monitoring and inspection of the ductwork and Air Handling Unit, and scheduled or ad-hoc cleans for both ducting and AHUs.
Case Studies
How Can I Arrange Air Handling Unit Cleaning and Monitoring Services?
To arrange an initial air duct inspection, a comprehensive site survey or for a scheduled monitoring and cleaning service, get in touch with Rentokil Specialist Hygiene today.
Day or night, you can trust us to get to you to help with all ventilation duct requirements, call our friendly team of experts on 0808 159 1403 or contact us here 24/7/365.
More Information
Air Services
More information on our range of Air Services.