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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What
should I expect of an air duct cleaning service?
What are the most significant
clues to fungi contamination in the HVAC system?
How can we minimize air duct contamination?
What's the best way to prevent biological contamination
and mold growth?
Where can we get more information about IAQ and HVAC
system cleaning?
How can we be sure we contract with a qualified
contractor?
Q.
What should I expect of an air duct cleaning service?
Before
you schedule the cleaning:
-
Ask
the cleaning service to inspect
your building's) and to recommend a separate company to
provide a baseline survey of air ducts. If the system has
any asbestos-containing materials, specially trained and
equipped contractors will be required.
-
Get
a written estimate and
agreement outlining what services the cleaner will provide
and the total cost.
-
Check
that the service is trained, experienced, and has the
necessary state licenses. Ask for
references from similar and completed projects, and if the
contractor is a member of National Air Duct Cleaners
Association (NADCA).
During
the air duct cleaning, the service should:
After
the cleaning, the service should:
You
should inspect your
heating and cooling system:
-
Verify
cleanliness. Are surfaces free of debris, dust and mold? Is
the supply air plenum free of moisture stains and
contaminants?
-
Do
filters fit properly?
-
When
the system is running, is there air leakage through access
doors? Leakage should be slight or non-existent. Are newly
installed access doors in sheet metal ducts firmly attached?
-
Does
the entire system function properly?
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Q.
What are the most significant clues to fungi contamination in the
HVAC system?
To grow,
fungi need a source of nutrients and moisture
for more than 24 hours. Dust in the system provides enough food for
fungal growth.
-
Check
for musty odors. If you remove the moisture, the fungal
spores will be dormant, but they can grow if moisture is
present.
-
Look
for discolorations-in general: green, black, white, and/or
pink.
-
Check
for slimy, turbid or sludgy standing water in the air
handling unit.
Top
Q.
How can we minimize air duct contamination?
Use a
careful preventive maintenance program to reduce contamination. To
prevent dirt from entering the system:
-
Use
the highest efficiency air filters recommended
by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.
-
Change
filters regularly; post a schedule for maintenance crews to
observe. If they are clogged on inspection, filters may need
more frequent changing. The filter holders must fit
correctly so air cannot bypass filters through gaps.
-
Heating
and cooling system maintenance must include cleaning cooling
coils and drain pans.
-
During
building construction or renovation that produces dust, seal
off supply and return registers. Do not operate the heating
and cooling system until all dust is cleaned up.
-
Operate
humidifying systems strictly as recommended by their
manufacturer.
Top
Q.
What's the best way to prevent biological contamination and mold
growth?
Don't
let moisture get into the ducts to control mold. It's not always
easy. Moisture gets in if there are leaks or if the HVAC system is
improperly installed or serviced. Condensation on or near air
conditioning cooling coils is another major factor in moisture in
the system.
To
prevent moisture (and mold contamination):
-
Repair
any leaks or water damage as soon as you find them.
-
Make
sure condensate pan drains properly.
-
Check
any insulation near cooling coils for wet spots.
-
Make
sure ducts are properly sealed and insulated in all
non-air-conditioned spaces, such as crawl spaces.
Top
Q.
Where can we get more information about IAQ and HVAC system
cleaning?
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (IAQINFO)
P.O. Box 37133
Washington, DC 20013-7133
(800) 438-4318 or (202) 484-1307
FAX (301) 588-3408
Web Site: www.epa.gov/iaq
Ask for:
-
The
Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality IAQ-0009
-
Building
Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility
Managers
-
Fact
Sheet: Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices IAQ-0003
-
Fact
Sheet: Sick Building Syndrome IAQ:0004
Consumer
Research Council IAQ Checklist
P.O. Box 12099
Washington, DC 20005-0999
National
Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)
1518 K Street, NW Suite 503
Washington DC 20005
(202) 737-2926
Web Site: www.nadca.com
Ask for:
-
Introduction
to HVAC Cleaning Services
-
NADCA
Standard 1992-01, Mechanical Cleaning of Non-Porous Air
Conveyance System Components
North
American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
Ask for:
National
Antimicrobial Information Network (NAIN)
(800) 447-6349
E-mail: nain@ace.orst.edu
Sheet
Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association (SMACNA)
4201 Lafayette Center Drive
Chantilly, VA 22021
(703) 803-2980
Ask for:
National
Air Filtration Association
1518 K Street, NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-5328 FAX (202) 638-4833
Ask for:
U.S.
Department of Labor
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Room N3651
200 Constitution, NW
Washington DC 20210
(202) 219-6666
Ask for:
-
All
About OSHA 2056
-
Control
of Hazardous Energy OSHA 3120
-
Respiratory
Protection OSHA 3079
-
Chemical
Hazard Communication OSHA 3084
-
Personal
Protective Equipment OSHA 3077
American
Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE)
1791 Tullie Circle, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 636-8400
Ask for:
Top
Q.
How can we be sure we contract with a qualified contractor?
The
National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends asking these
questions:
-
How
long have you been cleaning HVAC systems?
-
What
percentage of your business is dedicated to HVAC system
cleaning?
-
Is
your firm properly licensed to work in this state?
-
Are
you fully insured?
-
What
experience have you had cleaning systems similar to those in
my systems?
-
What
references can you provide of completed similar projects?
-
Who
will be the on-site supervisor for this project? How many
similar projects has he/she been responsible for?
-
Will
you use source removal techniques in accordance with NADCA
Standard
1992-01?
-
Do
you completely understand the NADCA Standard and will you
comply?
-
Do
you have a comprehensive in-house safety program with
employee training?
-
Are
you aware of site-preparation issues?
-
Is
your equipment in good repair, working properly? When did
you buy it? How long have you used it?
-
Can
you provide a scope of work?
-
Do
you have a current membership certificate from NADCA? Are
you a member in good standing?
-
Do
you have a NADCA certified Air System Cleaning Specialist on
staff?
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