Welcome
to the August edition of Steril-Aire's UVC E-Newsletter. In each issue, we will
address an important question about ultraviolet C or "UVC" devices for
building HVAC systems.
Steril-Aire
will also be happy to provide you with a free on-site evaluation on how to equip
your building(s) for energy, mold, IAQ and infection control using UVC technology.
If you would like to know more, contact
us today.
ASHRAE publishes a new chapter on UVC
Q. Does ASHRAE offer any guidelines on the proper use and application of UVC germicidal energy?
A. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently announced publication of its 2008 ASHRAE Handbook-HVAC Systems and Equipment, which discusses various systems and the equipment that comprise them. Included in the updated handbook is a new technical chapter titled Ultraviolet Lamp Systems (Chapter 16).
The publication of this new chapter in the ASHRAE handbook represents a milestone in the evolution of UVC technology for HVAC applications. It reflects the growing acceptance among HVAC and facility professionals of the proven benefits of UVC for microbial control, coil cleaning, energy savings and HVAC system rejuvenation.
As summarized on the ASHRAE web site, the chapter "includes a review of the fundamentals of UVC germicidal energy's impact on microorganisms; how UVC lamps generate germicidal radiant energy; common approaches to the application of UVGI systems for upper-air room, in-duct, and surface cleansing; and a review of human safety and maintenance issues".
It provides a useful and unbiased overview of this topic, including the fundamentals of UVC (also called UVGI or ultraviolet germicidal irradiation), types of equipment available, application guidelines, maintenance practices and service life. In regard to lamp replacement, the chapter states (16.8): "It may be prudent to simply change lamps annually (8760 h when lamps are run continuously) to ensure that adequate UV energy is supplied. Lamps can operate long after their useful life, but at greatly reduced performance." This is an important consideration in light of some manufacturers' current claims of 2-3 years' service life.
It is anticipated that this technical chapter will set the stage for future standards currently in development by ASHRAE and other organizations. The 2008 handbook is available online from ASHRAE at www.ashrae.org.
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First in "UVC for HVAC™", Steril-Aire offers a full line of UVC Emitters™ that are backed by over a dozen patents, 12 industry awards, and thousands of proven applications.
Steril-Aire devices produce up to 6 times higher UVC output than competitive devices and the highest dose per watt, for better germicidal performance and longer effective service life.
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