• Overview
  • Pre-Filtration
  • Washing Intervals & Prceedure
  • Shrinkage & Damage
  • External & Internal Cleaning

Overview

For the end user, the biggest problem with traditional ducting systems is the maintenance and cleaning which can be very inconvenient and expensive. Tests have proven that insufficiently maintained ventilation systems is the major cause of poor quality indoor air, frequently contributing significantly to sick building syndrome. In the food industry the difficulty in maintaining traditional ducting systems can lead to the provision of the ideal conditions for the rapid growth of micro-organisms which is a hazard to health.

With a Euro Air system, maintenance is not a problem since the textile ducts are easily removed and refitted without the use of any special tools. They can be washed and tumble dryed time and time again without the risk of shrinkage. The problem of dirty and unhygienic ducts is now solved once and for all. During operation the Euro Air-Low Impulse System® acts as an additional and terminal filter before the air is supplied to the room environment. The degree of this filtration is equivalent to F5 to F6 standards.
           
   

We are now able to offer a full repair and maintenance service for our sytems which have been installed throughout the UK. In addition we will maintain and wash previous Euroair systems installed prior to our acquisition of the Euro air distributorship.

For further details of the arrangements we can make for assisting you in your washing requirements, please contact our office for general advice and a no obligation quotation and we will be happy to assist.

Please call 02380 740751
   
   
   

Traditional ventilation ducts quickly become dirty over time and are notoriously difficult to clean, which usually results in essential maintenance being overlooked and ignored. To some extent the speed with which traditional ducts become overwhelmed with dust and pollutants depends on a strict regime of filter changing, but neglect of the ventilation system can present a serious threat to public health as well as inefficiency in the system

          
         
         
         

Pre - Filtration

Textile ducts operate like a filter, absorbing impurities as small as 0.5 µm inside the fabric, thereby ensuring that fresh, filtered air is always distributed throughout the premises. To avoid unnecessary washing, textile ducts should not be the only filter present. Using a pre-filter of at least Class F7 for all outdoor air is always recommended.

The table below shows to what extent pre-filters with different dirt-removing capabilities can reduce the need to wash textile ducts.
                 
 

Class

Dirt removing capability
( % )

Relative reduction in
washing frequency ( approx )

Pressure drop above
filter ( approx ) Pa

  
 

F3
F5
F7
F9

25
45
85
> 95

1.2
1.8
7.0
20

90
120
200
250

         

As shown above, the washing frequency can be reduced considerably by improving the pre-filtering and changing, for instance, from an F5 to an F7 or F9 filter. The requirements for the fan's performance are also increased, which means that the extra performance must already be factored in at the design phase as there will be no opportunity later on to build in an effective pre-filter without the calculated volume flow falling dramatically.

  
 
 
 
 

Washing intervals & proceedure

The intervals for washing and maintaining Euroair's low impulse systems naturally depend on what kind of premises they are being used in, and we recommend different washing intervals according to use.

The table below shows the recommended washing intervals specified for different uses ofEuroair's low impulse systems. Please note the table is simply for guidance, you should contact this office for more specific recommendations regarding individual installations.
 

Application

Outdoor
Air [ % ]

Pre-filter
class

Approx no of
washes / year

Moulded cheese production etc. The textile ducts are washed when production has stopped to protect against any undesirable micro-organisms.

10

F7

6 - 20

Polluted premises with severe microbiological pollution, e.g. quick chopping room for the processing of spices. The textile ducts can be washed to remove organic material stored inside the ducts.

10

F7

3 - 4

Premises with particular hygiene requirements, e.g. where unpacked meat products are processed.

10

F7

1 - 2

Premises where there are no particular hygiene requirements, e.g. store rooms for packaged products.

10
100
100

F7
F7
F5

0.3 - 1
0.5 - 1
1 - 4

Offices

100
100
100

F9
F7
F5

0.2 -1
0.5 - 1
1 - 4

Shrinking and damage caused during maintenance

Euro Air Low impulse textile systems have been developed so that they can be maintained without
the occurrence of shrinkage and subsequent problems.
If shrinkage of more than 1% does occur, the causes are as follows:
x Washing at too high a temperature (boil wash)
x Drying at too high a temperature
Boiling causes the material to shrink up to 5% or more.
Drying at too high a temperature can cause shrinkage of more than 3%.
To achieve an optimum textile life, it is therefore important that maximum washing and drying
temperatures be observed.

Examples of other damage that can be caused by washing/maintenance are as follows:

x Pilling
x Wear
x Damage to straps, etc.
Pilling or napping occurs when materials rub together during washing and especially when being
tumble-dried.
Euro Air Low impulse materials are optimized so that the pilling tendency is about half the normal
for corresponding textiles. This means that the textile ducts can be washed many times without them
appearing "washed-out".
If tumble-drying is avoided, the "new" appearance is significantly prolonged.
Washing and drying wears textiles, therefore excess washing and drying times should be avoided.
Damage to straps, etc. occurs often when machines are over-filled. Therefore low machine loadings are
recommended.

External cleaning

Euro Air High Impulse systems are made of polyester fabric coated externally with plastic. This
coating has a dirt-repellant finish that makes the ducts easy to clean and maintain.
All forms of cleaning agents normally used for floors, tables, walls, etc. can be used on the external
surfaces of the systems.
External washing or drying can be carried out with a cloth, brush, or sponge, etc. Be careful not to jerk
and overload the system when cleaning.
Loose dust can be removed by vacuum cleaning or by blowing with air.

Internal cleaning

Collections of dirt on the inside of INJECT ducts can be removed by turning the material inside out and
vacuum cleaning.
The inside can be washed in the same way as the outside when ducts are turned inside out.
INJECT systems can become soiled to the extent that machine washing is preferred. However, machine
washing is recommended only in special circumstances because INJECT materials become wrinkled and
lose their appearance after machine washing. If machine washing is decided on, the recommendation is
that the programme for washing fine curtains be used, i.e. prewash at 30 C (85 F) (followed by dripdrying.
The machine must be filled to about 30% of its normal capacity and the machine itself should be
of the type which has as little mechanical affect on the duct material as possible.