Ventilation & Air Purification
Not all internal spaces require supplementary heating or cooling, but ventilation and air purification are still important as they remove stale air, moisture, bacteria, dust, fumes, and other pollutants that can cause a variety of problems.
Human health
Stale air can cause headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, dry skin, and irritation of the respiratory and nasal tracts. It can increase the risk of lung infections and exacerbate chronic lung diseases such as asthma.
Dust, pollen, other particles, and chemical fumes can also irritate the respiratory and nasal tracts, cause breathing difficulties and trigger allergic reactions. Some can cause long-term health complications including cancers.
Bacteria can easily develop in a poorly aerated space, but ventilation is an effective infection control measure in healthcare, workplace, and public environments, removing the excess moisture from surfaces that are potential breeding grounds such as wall plaster and ceiling tiles.
Air extracted from a building can sometimes contain contaminants that if released, may cause public health issues.
Filtration in a ventilation system will reduce the risks to human health, while UVC or NTP (non-thermal plasma) purification will kill bacteria small enough to pass through filters.
Electronic and mechanical failure
If airborne particles such as dust created by manufacturing processes penetrate electronic control systems or the fans used to cool them, they can quickly cause overheating and failure.
If they mix with lubricants such as oil and grease they can increase friction, placing additional strain on moving parts and causing premature wear or mechanical failure.
Filtration, along with regular inspection and cleaning of a ventilation system will help reduce the risk of equipment failure.
Product contamination
Food and beverages are sensitive to contamination during processing, which can cause produce to rapidly degrade or shorten shelf life.
Pharmaceuticals are at risk from external contamination carried into the manufacturing area, or cross-contamination from other drugs being produced on the same site.
Filtration and air purification can prevent contaminants from entering the building via a ventilation system, and remove them from air circulating within the space.
Product deterioration
Some products will quickly deteriorate in stale, damp air – conditions favourable for bacterial and fungal spores to accumulate on open products or their packaging. This includes fresh produce, paper-based products such as books, and items made of corrosion-prone metals.
Simple ventilation to keep the air circulating may be sufficient to prevent this but in extreme circumstances, a dehumidifying unit, UVC, or NTP air purifier may be beneficial.
Fire or explosive hazard
Storing, using, or processing some substances may risk fire or explosion unless the area is properly ventilated. The most obvious examples of these are paints and varnishes, solvents, and liquid or gas fuels, but fine airborne particles such as wood dust and flour can be equally volatile.
A ventilation system will likely be needed unless natural ventilation from opening doors or windows is sufficient. If the levels of combustible substances are higher, appropriate filtration may be needed to remove them from the air before it is either recirculated or expelled.
Where large volumes of combustible particles such as wood dust or flour are present, regular inspection and cleaning of filters, fans, and ducting are essential to maintain safety and guarantee the ventilation system is working at maximum efficiency.
At Aura Air Conditioning, we offer a selection of service and maintenance packages for ventilation systems that give you peace of mind and ensure your system will pass regulatory inspections.
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