VtV Solutions, a “specialist in ventilation to validation”, claims that not only are many healthcare facilities’ ultra-clean ventilation systems (UCVs) not regularly, or properly, serviced, but that, rather than being replaced due to failure to meet the latest standards, existing units up to 15 years old can often be effectively and economically upgraded to give years’ more service.
Last November Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust contacted VtV to look at a UCV system at the city’s Northern General Hospital that had failed velocity and filter integrity tests. Investigations showed several units, all between eight and 14 years old, required upgrading. With new diffusers and filters installed the units once again satisfied HTM performance criteria. Among the units examined was an unrepairable 20-year-old UCV which had to be replaced.
With a total of eight UCVs across its theatre suite, the hospital could accommodate a two-week shutdown to allow a “new install”. VtV removed the existing unit and installed a replacement UCV. The work required “cocooning” the theatre suite to allow subcontractors to work inside the theatre without affecting others. Two weeks later the new unit was installed, validated and fully operational to the latest HTM 03-01 requirements.
