Increasing hygiene issues were reported to Clearwater Technology from a leisure centre in the South East of England. In this council property, which is run on a day to day basis by an independent leisure company, there were a variety of hygiene issues with a major concern over the condition of the ventilation system and the negative impact it was having on the indoor air quality and general building hygiene.

Solution

Clearwater Technology working closely with the two parties involved in this building proposed a full decontamination of the ventilation system including the external surfaces on the request of the client. This would result in the reduction of the particulate burden in the system as well as in the leisure centre environment and assist in improving the operating efficiency of the system.

This became a challenging situation very quickly not just due to the high level ducting located over the pool but due to the strict timescales being imposed on all parties. The pool was to be closed for a two week period with immediate effect to allow the works to be undertaken.

Clearwater Technology was able to utilize its large resource of Environmental Service Technicians to ensure work was able to commence on the first day of the shutdown. Once safe and secure access was provided by Clearwater Technology the decontamination process could commence and the works were completed ahead of schedule.

During the works other areas of improvement were highlighted by Clearwater Environmental Service Technicians which included the need to improve the structural integrity of the Air Handling Unit (AHU.) The situation was highlighted and reported back to the client. These works were also undertaken to minimise any secondary contamination that may occur from corroded areas of the plant

Results

Following the decontamination works a full post clean report including certification in accordance with HVCA TR19 industry guidelines was submitted to the client.

Further to this Clearwater Technology have instigated a hygiene programme offering regular inspections of the ventilation system in accordance with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1999.