How Often Should Hospital HVAC Systems Be Serviced?

More Than Just Cooling and Heating

While the main purpose of an HVAC system is to keep a space comfortable by heating or cooling it as needed, these systems also play an important role in hospital operations. For example, HVAC systems are responsible for:

• Providing proper ventilation to prevent the spread of airborne diseases
• Maintaining a comfortable temperature to prevent patients from experiencing heat stroke or hypothermia
• Keeping humidity levels under control to prevent the growth of mold and mildew
• Running a negative air pressure system to prevent contaminants from entering the hospital

The critical role that HVAC systems play in protecting the health of patients, staff, and visitors means that even a short period of downtime can have serious consequences. You can ensure that your HVAC system is operating at peak performance by ensuring all necessary repairs and other services happen on time so you're never without heating or cooling when needed most.

Contaminants Often Found in a Hospital's HVAC System

Because of the special environment found in a hospital, there are a few contaminants that are often found in these systems. Some of these contaminants include:

Dust: Dust can be introduced into the hospital in a number of ways, such as when staff members enter the building or when construction is taking place. This dust can settle on sensitive equipment and cause it to malfunction.

Mold: Mold can grow in the damp, humid environment often found in hospitals. This can lead to serious health problems for patients, staff, and visitors.

Bacteria: Bacteria can enter the hospital in a number of ways, such as through the ventilation system or on the clothes of staff members. This can cause serious illnesses, such as Legionnaires' disease.

Viruses: Viruses can also enter the hospital through the ventilation system or on the clothes of staff members. This can cause worsen serious illnesses, such as the flu.

Preventative Maintenance 

Maintenance of the HVAC system is one expense that cannot be cut corners on without risking the comfort, and in some cases, the health of patients. The frequency of service for a hospital's HVAC will depend on the type of hospital, the age of the HVAC system, and the climate. Maintenance should be preventative, meaning it should be done before there's a problem. That way, you can avoid costly repairs or replacements and the disruptions they cause.

Preventative maintenance will typically include:

Inspecting and Cleaning the AC Units and Furnaces

At least once a year, AC units and furnaces should be inspected for dirt and dust. The coils should be cleaned to ensure they are free of debris. 

Inspecting and Cleaning Filters

A hospital's HVAC system relies on filters to capture impurities. Over time, these filters can become clogged with dirt and dust, which reduces their efficiency. To prevent this, it's important to inspect and clean filters regularly. Depending on the type of filter, this may need to be done once a month or every few months.

Hospital Duct Cleaning

This is one of the most important parts of an HVAC system, and it's also one of the most often overlooked. Ducts play a crucial role in distributing heating and cooling throughout a space, and they can also be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust if they aren't properly cleaned.

Registers

Registers are another often-neglected part of an HVAC system. While they may not seem like they do much, play a role in distributing heating and cooling evenly throughout a room.

Hospital duct cleaning differs from standard commercial duct cleaning because of the types of contaminants that are often present. Hospital-grade disinfectants and HEPA filters are typically used to remove these contaminants. NADCA and manufacturers recommend coil cleaning to keep an HVAC system clean. NADCA also recommends hospital duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. This is the most cost-effective way of keeping your system running at maximum efficiency because it prevents considerable expenses from neglecting systems. replacements down the line.

Preventative maintenance is just one part of keeping your hospital's HVAC system in good shape. It's also important to respond to any problems that do arise as quickly as possible.

Midwest Duct Cleaning Services Is Your Hospital Duct Cleaning Partner

Careful planning is crucial to the success of any hospital HVAC maintenance project. The first step is to develop a plan that takes into account the needs of the hospital, the type of HVAC system, and the climate. From doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff to patients, visitors, and delivery people, there are a lot of people who rely on the HVAC system to be up and running.

Once you've developed a plan, it's time to find a partner who can help you execute it. Midwest Duct Cleaning Services has the experience and expertise to provide hospital duct cleaning that meets your specific needs. We understand the importance of keeping Kansas City hospital HVAC systems up and running, and we'll work with you to develop a customized plan that meets your unique needs.

If you have more questions regarding commercial duct cleaning, please contact Midwest Duct Cleaning Services.