When it comes to maintaining the ductwork for commercial HVAC facilities, company leaders might have a rough idea of how the service works, but not a detailed understanding of what’s involved. Knowing more about the logistics and the timeline of the process for this key maintenance requirement can help you to make better choices in choosing and working with specialized HVAC ductwork cleaning companies.
Ductwork Cleaning Timelines
It’s up to the client company to figure out when it’s time to hire a firm to do ductwork cleaning in a facility. Essentially, any time there is an excessive buildup of dust or dirt, or evidence of mold or moisture, ductwork should be critically assessed for cleaning and maintenance. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association helps to provide standards for this type of system maintenance. For commercial buildings, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and related agencies may have their own guidelines, specifically where a company is known to work with or handle toxic substances that could become airborne.
In terms of how the process works, commercial air duct cleaning doesn’t have to require a lot of downtime. Vendors should be able to schedule cleaning times in off hours or off-peak times of a 24-hour cycle. That means you won’t need to disrupt critical business activities for an entire day or more to get this type of maintenance done.
Process for Ductwork Cleaning
Cleaning commercial ductwork is more than just putting vacuum components into the round or rectangular duct tunnels that run air to various rooms and spaces. There is also a need to inspect and potentially clean cooling components, the blower for a furnace, or other operational parts of the equipment. Vents and access doors and other apertures also have to be thoroughly inspected, and in some cases, cleaned.
In addition, areas of the building called plenums must also be inspected and/or cleaned for buildup of dust or dirt. These interior spaces are responsible for holding air as it flows through the system. They must be dry and free of mold or other toxic contaminants.
In many cases, professional ductwork cleaning firms need to do some significant research while cleaning the ductwork. They be checking for proper airflow and again, inspecting coils and other areas of the equipment. They may need to physically enter areas of the ductwork in order to inspect and maintain systems – and it’s important to have trained people who will not damage the HVAC infrastructure while they’re at work.
The physical process involves using specialized equipment to reach ductwork areas and take out any excessive buildup that has occurred. Contractors will need access to a variety of spaces, and will need to move about the building or facility freely in order to do their work.
While timelines can be negotiated, ductwork cleaning can take quite a few hours of work, depending on the size and layout of the building. Choosing contractors that have key certifications and experience is critical for this type of HVAC ductwork service. It helps ensure that the results will improve the air quality without harming components of the HVAC system that are so important in providing a safe, clean and useful space for employees.