IAQ after IKE
Questions
have arisen since Ike about what to do with wet AHU insulation, wet
ductwork insulation, and/or ductwork exposed to flood water or water
from damaged roofs.
I hope to help you answer these questions:
Submerged
insulation in either the AHU or the ductwork
-
Strip
contaminated insulation
-
Clean
and treat area with an anti-microbial
-
Re-insulated
with a closed-cell insulation
Exposed
insulation in either the AHU or the ductwork
-
Clean the exposed areas to remove dirt and debris
-
Treat the area with an anti-microbial
-
Resurface exposed insulation, as needed, with an
anti-bacterial/anti-fungal resurfacing coating to help prevent
mold growth in the future.
Exposed
ductwork
-
Clean the interior of the ductwork to remove dirt and debris
-
Treat the interior of the ductwork with an anti-microbial.
-
Resurface exposed insulation, as
needed, with an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal resurfacing coating
to help prevent mold growth in the future.
As long as the mechanical conditions of
the systems are sound, the contamination areas can be cleaned and
restored to insure good Indoor Air Quality for your customers.
A long list
of standards and guidelines for the cleaning and restoration of air
handler units and ductwork that were either submerged in, or exposed
to, flood water is available from IICRC, NADCA, ACCA, NIOSCH, and
the Center for Disease Control.
A couple examples:
ACCA
Restoring the Cleanliness of HVAC Systems; 4.0 Establishing Criteria
for HVAC System Cleaning
“Prior to initiating any cleaning
activities, an HVAC contractor or an independent Indoor Air Quality
Consultant should determine the system cleanliness and economic
practicality of undertaking restorative cleaning activities. This
determination shall include a site survey of the building; a visual
assessment of the HVAC system’s components; age of the components
under consideration; and an economic assessment of HVAC system
cleaning versus equipment/component replacement. Upon completion of
the analysis, and in accordance with the clients’ needs, the
criteria for level of cleanliness shall be established, documented
and agreed upon by all involved parties. Within this standard there
is not a level of contamination level that is an automatically
trigger for initial testing the cleaning of HVAC systems. However,
visible contaminants within HVAC systems from rodent or insect
infestation, storm or flood damage, water infiltration,
fire and smoke damage, mold, construction or remodeling
particulates, or general debris blowing out of supply registers or
grilles are conditions necessitating implementation of this
standard. This standard requires the involvement of a third-party
Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) whenever correlations, or
assertions, of HVAC system cleanliness are linked to occupant
health.”
Center for Disease Control
“All
surfaces of an HVAC system and all its components that were
submerged during a flood are potential reservoirs for dirt, debris,
and microorganisms, including bacteria and mold. In addition,
moisture can collect in areas of HVAC system components that were
not submerged (e.g., air supply ducts above the water line), and
this also can lead to the growth of microorganisms. Therefore,
all flood water-contaminated and moisture-laden components of the
HVAC system should be thoroughly inspected, cleaned of dirt and
debris, and disinfected by a qualified professional.”
If you would
like a detailed list of standards related to this issue, please give
us a call.
Doug Long, ASCS
Power Vac
America, Inc.
Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Systems Cleaning in Texas
