The law
The workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992) regulation 5 imposes
a duty to clean mechanical ventilation systems “as appropriate”. These
Regulations are accompanied by an Approved Code of Practice or ACOP in order to
assist the persons responsible with the implementation of the regulation.
ACOP 33 states
“Mechanical ventilation systems (including air conditioning systems) should be
regularly and properly cleaned tested and maintained to ensure they are kept
clean and free from anything which may contaminate the air”.
The ACOP therefore calls for regular cleaning and testing. Many of the
countries’ leading building management organisations have published documents
detailing methods of implementing this ACOP. These include:
- BSRIA TN/18/92
- HCVA TR19 (TR17)
- CIBSE TM26
- NHS ESTATES HEALTH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM (HTM) 2025
The most commonly used of
these is the HVCA TR19 & CIBSE TM26
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