Kentucky hospital cures low airflow with UV-C technology
Ultraviolet C (UV-C) technology has been used since the 1990s to eliminate microbial buildup on cooling coils, air filters, duct surfaces, and drain pans. But despite the technology’s history and track record, some facility engineers remain uncertain. On the other hand, some come around quickly.
That’s what happened at a 359-bed health care facility in Kentucky. Engineers struggled to keep the hospital’s cafeteria cool amid the area’s humid climate. Condensate in the air handling unit (AHU) serving the food service area was leaving a residue in the coil, a buildup that reduced airflow through the unit from the 14,000 cfm design parameter to around 10,000 cfm — nearly 30% less than what was originally specified.