Part 1 -- Special Provisions

1.01 Qualification of the HVAC System Cleaning Contractor

(A) Membership

(B) Certification

(D) Experience

(E) Equipment, Materials and Labor

Part 2 -- HVAC System Cleaning Specifications and Requirements

2.01 Scope of Work

(A) Scope

2.02 General HVAC System Cleaning Requirements

(A) Containment

(B) Particulate Collection

(D) Component Cleaning

(E) Air-Volume Control Devices

(F) Service Openings

(G) Ceiling sections (tile)

(H) Air distribution devices (registers, grilles & diffusers)

(I) Air handling units, terminal units, blowers and exhaust fans

2.03 Mechanical Cleaning Methodology

(A) Source Removal Cleaning Methods

(B) Methods of Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Components

(D) Cleaning of coils

(E) Biocidal Agents and Coatings

2.04 Cleanliness Verification

(A) General

(B) Visual Inspection

2.05 Pre-existing System Damage

2.06 Post-project Report

Air Quality Controllers, LLC

General Specifications

Part 1 -- Special Provisions

1.01 Qualification of the HVAC System Cleaning Contractor

(A) Membership: The HVAC system cleaning contractor shall be a certified member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), or shall maintain membership in a nationally recognized non-profit industry organization dedicated to the cleaning of HVAC systems.

(B) Certification: The HVAC system cleaning contractor shall have a minimum of one (1) Air System Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certified by NADCA on a full time basis, or shall have staff certified by a nationally recognized certification program and organization dedicated to the cleaning of HVAC systems.

(C) Supervisor Qualifications: A person certified as an ASCS by NADCA, or maintaining an equivalent certification by a nationally recognized program and organization, shall be responsible for the total work herein specified.

(D) Experience: The HVAC system cleaning contractor shall submit records of experience in the field of HVAC system cleaning as requested by the owner. Bids shall only be considered from firms which are regularly engaged in HVAC system maintenance with an emphasis on HVAC system cleaning and decontamination.

(E) Equipment, Materials and Labor: The HVAC system cleaning contractor shall possess and furnish all necessary equipment, materials and labor to adequately perform the specified services.

1. The contractor shall maintain a copy of all current MSDS documentation and safety certifications at the site at all times, as well as comply with all other site documentation requirements of applicable OSHA programs and this specification.

The HVAC system includes any interior surface of the facility’s air distribution system for conditioned spaces and/or occupied zones. This includes the entire heating, air-conditioning and ventilation system from the points where the air enters the system to the points where the air is discharged from the system. The return air grilles, return air ducts to the air handling unit (AHU), the interior surfaces of the AHU, mixing box, coil compartment, condensate drain pans, supply air ducts, fan housing, fan blades, turning vanes, filters, filter housings, reheat coils, and supply diffusers are all considered part of the HVAC system. The HVAC system may also include other components such as dedicated exhaust and ventilation components and make-up air systems.

Note: Users of this specification must modify the above paragraph to succinctly and specifically define those systems and components requiring cleaning.

2.02 General HVAC System Cleaning Requirements

(A) Containment: Debris removed during cleaning shall be collected and precautions must be taken to ensure that Debris is not otherwise dispersed outside the HVAC system during the cleaning process.

(B) Particulate Collection: Where the Particulate Collection Equipment is exhausting inside the building, HEPA filtration with 99.97% collection efficiency for 0.3-micron size (or greater) particles shall be used. When the Particulate Collection Equipment is exhausting outside the building, Mechanical Cleaning operations shall be undertaken only with Particulate Collection Equipment in place, including adequate filtration to contain Debris removed from the HVAC system.

(D) Component Cleaning: Cleaning methods shall be employed such that all HVAC system components must be Visibly Clean as defined in applicable standards. Upon completion, all components must be returned to those settings recorded just prior to cleaning operations.

(E) Air-Volume Control Devices: Dampers and any air-directional mechanical devices inside the HVAC system must have their position marked prior to cleaning and, upon completion, must be restored to their marked position.

(F) Service Openings: The contractor shall utilize service openings, as required for proper cleaning, at various points of the HVAC system for physical and mechanical entry, and inspection.

1. Contractor shall utilize the existing service openings already installed in the HVAC system where possible.

2. Other openings shall be created where needed and they must be created so they can be sealed in accordance with industry codes and standards.

3. Closures must not significantly hinder, restrict, or alter the airflow within the system.

4. Closures must be properly insulated to prevent heat loss/gain or condensation on surfaces within the system.

5. Openings must not compromise the structural integrity of the system.

6. Construction techniques used in the creation of openings should conform to requirements of applicable building and fire codes, and applicable NFPA, SMACNA and NADCA Standards.

7. Cutting service openings into flexible duct is not permitted. Flexible duct shall be disconnected at the ends as needed for proper cleaning and inspection.

8. Rigid fiber glass duct systems shall be resealed in accordance with NAIMA recommended practices. Only closure techniques that comply with UL Standard 181 or UL Standard 181a are suitable for fiber glass duct system closures.

(G) Ceiling sections (tile): The contractor may remove and reinstall ceiling sections to gain access to HVAC systems during the cleaning process.

(H) Air distribution devices (registers, grilles & diffusers): The contractor shall clean all air distribution devices.

(I) Air handling units, terminal units (VAV, Dual duct boxes, etc.), blowers and exhaust fans: The contractor shall insure that supply, return, and exhaust fans and blowers are thoroughly cleaned. Areas to be cleaned include blowers, fan housings, plenums (except ceiling supply and return plenums), vanes, and dampers. All visible surface contamination deposits shall be removed in accordance with NADCA Standards. Contractor shall:

1. Clean all air handling units (AHU) internal surfaces, components and condensate collectors and drains.

2. Assure that a suitable operative drainage system is in place prior to beginning wash down procedures.

3. Clean all coils and related components, including evaporator fins.

2.03 Mechanical Cleaning Methodology

(A) Source Removal Cleaning Methods: The HVAC system shall be cleaned using Source Removal mechanical cleaning methods designed to extract contaminants from within the HVAC system and safely remove contaminants from the facility. It is the contractor’s responsibility to select Source Removal methods that will render the HVAC system Visibly Clean.

1. All methods used shall incorporate the use of vacuum collection devices that are operated continuously during cleaning. A vacuum device shall be connected to the downstream end of the section being cleaned through a predetermined opening. The vacuum collection device must be of sufficient power to render all areas being cleaned under negative pressure, such that containment of debris and the protection of the indoor environment are assured.

2. All vacuum devices exhausting air inside the building shall be equipped with HEPA filters (minimum efficiency), including hand-held vacuums and wet-vacuums.

3. All methods require mechanical agitation devices to dislodge debris adhered to interior HVAC system surfaces, such that debris may be safely conveyed to vacuum collection devices.

(B) Methods of Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Components

1. Fibrous glass thermal or acoustical insulation elements present in any equipment or ductwork shall be thoroughly cleaned with HEPA vacuuming equipment, while the HVAC system is under constant negative pressure, and not permitted to get wet in accordance with applicable NADCA and NAIMA standards and recommendations.

1. Evidence of damage: If there is any evidence of damage, deterioration, delaminating, friable material, mold or fungus growth, or moisture such that fibrous glass materials cannot be restored by cleaning or resurfacing with an acceptable insulation repair coating, they shall be identified for replacement at additional owners expense.

Replacement of damaged insulation is not covered by this specification.

(D) Cleaning of coils

1. Any cleaning method may be used which will render the Coil Visibly Clean and capable of passing Coil Cleaning Verification. Coil drain pans shall be subject to Non-Porous Surfaces Cleaning Verification. The drain for the condensate drain pan shall be operational. Cleaning methods shall not cause any appreciable damage to, displacement of, inhibit heat transfer, or erosion of the coil surface or fins, and shall conform to coil manufacturer recommendations when available. Coils shall be thoroughly rinsed with clean water to remove any latent residues.

(E) Biocidal Agents and Coatings

1. Biocidal agents shall only be applied if active fungal growth is reasonably suspected, or where unacceptable levels of fungal contamination have been verified through testing.

2. Application of any biocidal agents used to control the growth of fungal or bacteriological contaminants shall be performed after the removal of surface deposits and debris.

3. Only biocidal agents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically for use within HVAC system shall be used.

4. Biocidal agents shall be applied in strict accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Biocidal coating products for both porous and non-porous surfaces shall be EPA registered, water soluble solutions with supporting efficacy data and MSDS records.

6. Biocidal coatings shall be applied according to manufacturer’s instructions. Coatings shall be sprayed directly onto interior ductwork surfaces, rather than “fogged” downstream onto surfaces. A continuous film must be achieved on the surface to be treated by the coating application. Application of any biocidal coatings shall be additional owners expense.

2.04 Cleanliness Verification

(A) General: Verification of HVAC System cleanliness will be determined after mechanical cleaning.

(B) Visual Inspection: The HVAC system shall be inspected visually to ensure that no visible contaminants are present.

1. If no contaminants are evident through visual inspection, the HVAC system shall be considered clean.

2. If visible contaminants are evident through visual inspection, those portions of the system where contaminants are visible shall be re-cleaned and subjected to re-inspection for cleanliness.

1. Cleaning must restore the coil pressure drop to within 10 percent of the pressure drop measured when the coil was first installed. If the original pressure drop is not known, the coil will be considered clean only if the coil is free of foreign matter and chemical residue, based on a thorough visual inspection.

2.05 Pre-existing System Damage

(A) Contractor is not responsible for problems resulting from prior inappropriate or careless cleaning techniques of others.

2.06 Post-project Report

(A) At the conclusion of the project, the Contractor shall provide a report to the owner indicating the following:

1. Success of the cleaning project, as verified through visual inspection and/or gravimetric analysis.

2. Areas of the system found to be damaged and/or in need of repair

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Air Quality Controllers, LLC