Swiftclean managing director, Gary Nicholls, said: “While we completely agree with and applaud the efforts of everyone concerned in raising awareness of the need to combat air pollution, much of the focus of Clean Air Day is on outdoor air. We should not forget indoor air quality (IAQ), especially since, over the past two years, we have seen an even greater shift towards spending time in the same few indoor locations. Many who have returned to a physical workplace post pandemic are understandably nervous as to how healthy the premises are. For the sake of good health and wellbeing, indoor air needs to be as good a quality as possible, and that should mean regular, expert, compliant ventilation ductwork inspection, testing and as necessary cleaning in accordance with TR19®.”

The outdoor campaign is extremely important, the company stresses, as many domestic homes, as well as smaller offices and commercial premises rely on opening windows to effect sufficient air changes to keep the indoor air fresh, so the air we let in should be clean. However, many larger buildings have ventilation systems in which air is circulated and recycled impacting IAQ, so it is essential that ventilation systems are tested regularly and as necessary cleaned in accordance with TR19®, the leading ductwork hygiene guidance document, which is currently under revision. “We expect a revised version to be published in the next year,” said Nicholls, who is a member of the BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) steering committee helping to draft this new document. “We anticipate that this will become TR19® Air, much the same as its counterpart TR19® Grease, which is an official specification requiring compliance.”

Swiftclean recommends that facilities and property managers employ an expert to complete the specialist inspection, testing and cleaning tasks, preferably a member of the Vent Hygiene Elite (VHE) scheme. This is overseen by BESCA, (Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment) the certification arm of BESA. Access to the ventilation system is not always easy and will require specialist training, equipment and knowledge. After a thorough, compliant clean has been completed, a VHE member is able to provide BESCA post-clean certification, which provides invaluable evidence of compliance should there be any suspicion of negligence in safeguarding the wellbeing of a property’s end users.

“We must keep a watchful eye on both indoor and outdoor air quality issues, and work towards improving both our indoor and outdoor environments. Only then can we look forward to a healthier future,” said Nicholls.