Air Date: 8-19-2011| Episode: 218
Daniel Greenblatt is the founder and president of Envirotech Clean Air, Inc., an HVAC Systems cleaning and restoration and indoor air quality cleaning company in Stoneham, Massachusetts...
Full Description:
Daniel Greenblatt is the founder and president of Envirotech Clean Air, Inc., an HVAC Systems cleaning and restoration and indoor air quality cleaning company in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Mr. Greenblatt has been helping building owners improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency for almost 25 years. He also has a long history of volunteer service to industry associations and currently serves on the Indoor air Quality Association (IAQA) and the Indoor Environmental Standards Organization (IESO) Boards of Directors. Mr. Greenblatt’s company has been involved in some fascinating projects over the years and has learned a lot of lessons along the way. This week we plan to discuss some large projects and teams Mr. Greenblatt has been part of, a new NADCA document he has been assisting with, the new IESO soot standard and more.
Z-Man’s Blog:
Dan was part of an integrated team working on sensitive and complex IAQ problems in Air Traffic Control Towers. Design of the towers made them vulnerable to water intrusion and drywall provided plenty of mold food. The team was comprised of experts in Building Science, HVAC engineering and design, HVAC Cleaning, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, General Contracting , Mold Remediation. His firm’s responsibility on the product was cleaning the HVAC system, which utilized interior lined ductwork. Duct-liner that was in satisfactory condition was contact vacuumed, liner that was damaged or had deteriorated was removed and replaced. No coatings were used due to residual odor concerns. Due to noise restrictions the work was done at night. Negative air and containment barriers were used to guard against cross contamination. Air traffic control is a critical operation which could not be shutdown. Contingency planning and security clearances were also added concerns.
Takeaways from today’s episode:
· On mold remediation projects that require HVA system cleaning he recommends mold remediation first and HVAC cleaning last.
· HVAC cleaning prioritization: start on return side work back toward the air handler, air handler then do supply side.
· When diagnosing IAQ problems, contractors need to be knowledgeable about what they know and don’t know. Sometimes a simple and practical approach will resolve the problem and in other circumstances the problem is much more complex. Building owners and managers may want a band-aid rather than a solution. Know when to hold’m and know when to fold’m.
New standards and guidelines:
NADCA is the acknowledged authority on HVAC cleaning and maintenance. A team within NADCA is hard at work on a position paper on chemical application within HVAC systems. The document will define the relevant terms and address – pros and cons, best practices, use application method, pros/cons, and EPA concerns and considerations. The document will cover: sealants, coatings, antimicrobials, coil cleaners, and ozone & UV lights.
RIA/IESO are working on a protocol for the evaluation and sampling of HVAC systems contaminated by fire related particulate. The document is important because of the various stakeholders (property owners, occupants, insurance carriers, healthcare professionals, etc.) on a project need an objective process to t the absence or presence of fire related particulate.
IESO – RIA 6001/Evaluation of HVAC/Mechanical System Surfaces to Determine the Impact from Fire Related Particulate
ANSI/Pin Date: March 2009
Estimated Completion Date:
STATUS: In Development
DESCRIPTION:
Mechanical system components and associated air duct systems have the potential to collect particulate, contaminants, smoke, moisture, and gaseous emissions. Collections of these contaminants may create unsafe environmental conditions potentially affecting the performance and/or hygiene of the mechanical systems’ internal surfaces from fire and smoke residue. For these reasons, hygienic restoration of mechanical systems should be considered as part of the overall building restoration plan.
