Contributors
KEEPING OFFICE AIR GERM FREE – WHAT BUSINESSES CAN LEARN FROM HOSPITALS
By Shaun Scannell , general manager : Air Solutions at LG Electronics
It feels like just yesterday we were dreading the start of winter , and now summer is well on its way .
As happy as we are about the warmer weather , we ’ re not looking forward to the sniffles and sneezes the change of season brings along with it . They ’ re bound to hit your office – an environment that is often a breeding ground for germs . Given the current pandemic , germs taking over your office is not ideal , and finding a way to provide safe , breathable air in your workplace should be non-negotiable .
Safe air goes further than simply your direct office space ; it also refers to the building in which your office is located . Although you can take steps to control the air quality in your own space , you cannot escape the potential threats carried throughout the rest of the building . We need to look at the bigger picture if we are to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and diseases .
Following the onset of the pandemic , businesses have put many additional measures in place to keep their spaces germ free ; wiping down surfaces , sanitising hands and mask-wearing are all mandatory practices , but if the quality of the air we breathe isn ’ t considered , this could all be futile . A flexible air handling solution might just be the most important thing a business can look into in order to provide employees with fresh , safe indoor air at a comfortable temperature . And who better to turn to for advice than hospitals ? After all , they ’ re the experts at maintaining germ-free environments .
CAN AIR CONDITIONERS REDUCE THE PRESENCE OF GERMS ? Ensuring sufficient air circulation in enclosed spaces means that contaminated air flows out of the system , while fresh , breathable air flows in . An air conditioner with the correct air purification system filters out various particles , including pollen , dust and bacteria , so that fewer of those harmful substances linger in the office space .
With research now indicating that the coronavirus is potentially airborne , there ’ s no better time to look into the state of your building ’ s air-conditioning system . Companies and their employees could be at risk if their current air conditioners are unable to properly filter and purify the air . Consulting a building expert will help you in determining whether or not your current system needs to be upgraded .
LG Air Solutions
VRF Multi V5 enable precise monitoring and control and units equipped with communication modules can be integrated with all types of DX-AHUs .
In addition to air conditioners , technology like UV lights and bipolar ionisation can be used to neutralise viruses and bacteria by releasing electrically-charged atoms that attach to the pathogens in the environment .
THE ROLE OF UV LIGHTS AND BIPOLAR IONISATION IN AIR PURIFICATION Research has found that UV lights are effective in treating viruses , mould and bacteria present in the air we breathe . This technology can be used to sterilise HVAC systems , as well as in germicide systems in shopping centres , restaurants , hospitals , and other public places .
The UV lights in HVAC systems remove microorganisms and disrupt the RNA and DNA of germs , influencing their ability to reproduce . They can also prevent the growth and build-up of fungi , bacteria , pollen and dust in your air purification system , reducing the risk of it being spread in the air we breathe . This , in turn , diminishes the risk of transmitting airborne illnesses .
Another way to clean the air is through bipolar ionisation . Air solutions that use bipolar ionisation can reduce the presence
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I January 2021 67