Is your Air Conditioner a Mould incubator?

Mould is a problem in air conditioners. It builds up inside and in the coils, if the unit is not professionally cleaned every 6 months.

Our Queensland climate is in the peak period and conditions are perfect for mould growth.

Below is a story from Climate Control News that is relevant to all buildings that have an air conditioner.

AIR-CONDITIONERS will be replaced in the women’s health and children’s units at Mackay Base Hospital in North Queensland in an effort to combat a growing mould problem.

The hospital’s CEO, Jo Whitehead sought expert advice on the cause of the mould growth and the best way to eradicate it, after Queensland Health confirmed last week that mould had been discovered “in several areas” of the hospital. An independent report recommended a combination of replacing air conditioning systems in older parts of the hospital and remediation in the new areas as the best way to eradicate mould throughout the buildings.

“I need to stress this is non-toxic mould and that air quality tests show airborne mould concentration samples do not include pathogens associated with invasive disease,” Whitehead said. “Pathology tests have been reviewed for the previous six months and have not revealed any hospital-acquired mould infections.”

A design engineer has been on-site redesigning the air-conditioning in B Block, which contains the Women’s Health and Child and Adolescent units. B Block was built in 1999 and was refurbished as part of the overall Mackay Base Hospital redevelopment. “It will take four to six weeks for this design work to be done and received, and then the next step will be to appoint a contractor to do the work,” Whitehead said.

Expert advice identified the source of the problem. It found a build-up of mould caused the drip trays to pool water, instead of drain, because they were not positioned in the correct angle. Humidity levels throughout the entire hospital will also be reviewed to ensure they are not conducive to the growth of mould.

Whitehead said a mould remediation contractor would be engaged to clean air conditioning ducts in newer sections of the hospital. The experts have advised mould has grown in new areas due to varying humidity levels and issues with joins in the ducting. “The works will take some time as we need to fully identify the scope of the work required,” she said.

Make sure your air conditioning is safe, by booking a HydroKleen today!

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