For a normal microclimate and people's health, indoor air should not only be fresh, but also completely clean. To achieve this, it is necessary to use ventilation systems. Thanks to this, it will be possible to clean the microclimate in the apartment or in the office space. But any ventilation systems need periodic cleaning. This will increase the efficiency of the equipment and extend its life.
Purpose of ventilation
The peculiarity of air is that it is capable of absorbing vapors, gases and dust. As a result, there is a change in its chemical composition, which negatively affects the health status of people in the room. In order for the air in the apartment to meet all sanitary and hygienic requirements, ventilation must be installed. It will create air exchange, during which the contaminated air flows will be removed, and the treated purified air will come in their place.
The need for ventilation cleaning
During the operation of the ventilation system, it is contaminated with dust and various fatty deposits. All these components are mixed with condensate, then form a dense layer deposited on the walls. Bacteria and viruses actively proliferate in sediments. To prevent air contamination, regular cleaning of ventilation systems is necessary.
Any types of pathogens that multiply in the ventilation system adversely affect the condition of people in the room. This is especially acute in apartments, where residents spend the maximum amount of time. Breathing dirty air, a person begins to suffer from constant headaches, overwork, weakness. His sleep is disturbed. Allergic reactions may begin to develop.
Studies have been conducted by the World Health Organization. They showed that dirty indoor air is 10 times more toxic than outdoor air.
Cleaning ventilation is necessary not only to get rid of germs and bacteria. A large layer of dust creates a fire hazard. It is a direct source of fire. Just one spark on a dense layer of fat is enough to start a strong fire.
Ventilation cleaning is an important event, which is aimed at ensuring the preservation of people's health. Therefore, all processes associated with it are regulated by law. Work must be carried out by specialists using certain equipment.
Based on the provisions of SanPiN, cleaning the ventilation in an apartment building, replacing parts and restoring its operability falls into the category of maintenance work. Therefore, on the basis of a service agreement, they must be performed by the management company.
In accordance with the rules and norms of the technical operation of the housing stock, which were approved in 2003, the cleaning of ventilation in apartment buildings includes:
- monitoring and scheduled inspections for timely troubleshooting;
- replacement of grids and fixtures;
- elimination of the formed blockages.
The organization responsible for the state of ventilation must carry out inspections at least twice a year.
Types of pollution
Contamination of the ventilation system can occur for a number of reasons.The technology and means that will be used in choosing a way to clean the ventilation in the apartment depend on them.
Dust and dirt
Incoming dirt and dust from the street and entrance are deposited in layers both on the filters and on the duct itself. This problem is especially aggravated in the summer, when the air in the street is dry and hot.
Mold, fungus
If the room has high humidity, water deposits, fungi and mold are formed in the air masses. They can also develop inside the system due to sudden changes in temperature.
Rust
Due to moisture, rust deposits form on the walls of the duct. Over time, this can lead to failure of the equipment completely. In addition, cracks may form on the walls due to rust.
Fat build-up
Great damage to the duct is caused by layers of fat. They can completely clog the aisles, disable valves. Because of this, ventilation performance decreases. Most often, this situation is observed in the kitchen. To avoid the situation, it is recommended to clean the grease traps at least once a month.
Chemical deposition
If the ventilation system is installed in laboratories, cabinets where they work with chemicals, their deposits also disable the equipment. All components must be removed in a timely manner so as not to harm human health. Chemical contamination of the system can cause serious poisoning.
After a flood or fire
Emergency cleaning of ventilation ducts should be carried out if there is a fire or flood in the room. Clots of smoke from the fire will accumulate in the system. This is very life-threatening, as they will breathe fire and chemical substances.
After flooding in the ventilation there will be increased humidity, because of this, fungus and mold will appear on the walls.
Cleaning Frequency
The frequency of cleaning the ventilation ducts must be observed at least once every six months. All norms and parameters of indoor air are prescribed in the construction and sanitary rules. The ventilation systems must be checked for compliance with these rules by a special service.
After inspection, the system must be cleaned and disinfected. The building code states that the duct must be cleaned at least once a year. In addition, the instructions for use of the equipment must be followed. The manufacturer indicates the terms of service depending on the device.
Check for cleaning
When checking air quality, specialists use special equipment. Natural ventilation is measured with anemometers. This is a device indicating the speed of air movement in the exhaust ventilation duct. When checking, specialists measure the cross-sectional area and the obtained speed data. Having these parameters, it is possible to calculate how much air mass passes through the channel for a certain period of time. The obtained parameters must be compared with the approved standards.
It is impossible to make accurate measurements on your own. Any compliance with the standards is checked taking into account weather conditions.
According to the laws of physics, warm air tends to rise, while dismounting from the cold. The principle of natural ventilation is based on this. Fresh air enters the apartment through windows and doors, heating up, it rises and exits through the ventilation. The thrust of the air masses will directly depend on the air temperature in the street. In the summer, when the air is very dry and hot outside, the air exchange is disturbed. The principle of natural ventilation does not function well.
You can check the quality of ventilation by yourself.A number of factors will directly indicate that cleaning is necessary. These include:
- accumulation of cobwebs and fine dust on and around the grate;
- a strong feeling of stuffiness in the room;
- condensation on glass, increased humidity.
The phenomenon should be alerted when, after wet cleaning, on the same day, a layer of dust forms on the furniture surface. The main reason will be clogging of the ventilation ducts and the removal of the device and the system.
Using improvised means, you can independently determine the effectiveness of the functioning of the supply channels. The degree of contamination can be identified as follows:
- Open the window.
- Bring a lighter or a candle to the ventilation grill.
- If the flame tilts towards the grill, then the system is functioning normally.
Experts do not recommend checking with fire in apartment buildings where there is a central gas pipeline. If there is even a slight gas leak, an explosion may occur.
It is best to check with a simple piece of paper. It is applied to the grate. If the ventilation is working properly, the paper will draw in airflow. Otherwise, ventilation cleaning is required.
DIY ventilation cleaning description
You can clean the ventilation in an apartment or a private house yourself or contact specialized services. Cleaning the duct is a very complicated procedure that is recommended to be trusted by professional companies. In apartment buildings, it is difficult to remove all contaminants and disinfect without violating the integrity of the ventilation system.
All ventilation complexes are classified as common property. Work on their replacement, repair and cleaning should be carried out only by management companies. The owner of the apartment will be able to clean only that piece of the system that is adjacent to his apartment. These works will not be enough to ensure complete safety and purity of air.
If the tenant of the apartment decided to independently carry out the work, the following steps must be performed:
- Notify neighbors that the ventilation ducts are to be cleaned. The work will produce noise, garbage can fly out from the grates into neighboring apartments.
- Before work, you need to prepare personal protective equipment: gloves, glasses and respirators.
- The floor under the ventilation needs to be covered with newspapers, as there will be a lot of rubbish from cleaning. It is important to note that not only layers of debris and dust may fall out of the ventilation duct, but also the corpses of rodents and birds.
- After completion of the preparatory work, it is necessary to remove the ventilation grill, then remove the exhaust fan.
- The grate is thoroughly washed, the hood is cleaned in accordance with the instructions.
- Using a flashlight, you need to carefully examine the ventilation duct. If stones, glass or any other large debris is found in it, you need to carefully remove it, being careful not to damage the walls of the duct.
- All deposits of dirt and grease are removed with a metal brush or spatula.
- Residual dirt inside the ventilation duct can be removed with a household vacuum cleaner. The walls at the end of work are wiped with a damp cloth.
- The ventilation grill is installed in place.
Using a household vacuum cleaner is very dangerous. During such cleaning, all bacteria and microbes in large quantities will get inside the apartment. It is strictly forbidden to use a vacuum cleaner for blowing. All garbage will be ventilated to other apartments.
When cleaning the ventilation system yourself, do not use disinfectants. Without experience and sufficient knowledge, it is impossible to correctly calculate the dosage for spraying.A highly concentrated composition can corrode the walls of the mine, poison residents. Only dry ice is suitable for household cleaning. Therefore, it is recommended to invite specialists to restore the functioning of ventilation, since without disinfection the effectiveness is greatly reduced. Bacteria and harmful microorganisms cannot be eliminated only with wet cleaning. Chemicals should be used for them.
Ventilation in any room plays an important role. Its proper functioning guarantees the health of residents. Therefore, to monitor the operation of the system and regularly clean the ventilation ducts is important for safety. Only following all operating rules and the requirements for integrated system maintenance will ensure their effectiveness and durability.
