Building System IAQ Solutions

MSC provides effective contaminant source control, ventilation, and air purification measures proven to improve indoor air quality, increase HVAC system efficiency and performance, and help reduce airborne disease transmission. We recommend a multi-pronged Total Care IAQ approach, starting with a clean, sanitized air handler, to maximize applied improvements that can provide a safer, more comfortable building environment.

Evaporator Coil Cleaning & Disinfection

MSC provides cleaning and sanitization of evaporator coils, condensate pans, and air handling unit interiors to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungus, mold, mildew, dust, dirt and other accumulated debris that can impact HVAC system performance and subject a building's occupants to poor IAQ.

It is recommended that mechanical cleaning of coils and AHUs to remove dirt and other accumulations be followed by application of an EPA-registered, HVAC system-safe coil cleaner and disinfectant for thorough sanitization. While each of the disinfectants used by MSC may or may not be effective against all of the following microorganisms, they have demonstrated efficacy to varying degrees against bacteria and viruses that include (but are not limited to):

Bipolar Ionization (BPI)

Bipolar ionization is a proactive air-cleaning technology that effectively kills pathogens, reduces airborne particles, neutralizes odors, and saves energy. BPI works by introducing a high concentration of positive and negative ions into the airstream. As airflow is distributed throughout a space, these ions surround pathogens including viruses, mold spores and bacteria and deactivate them by removing the hydrogen they need to survive. Airborne particulates like dust, pollen, and other allergens are reduced when positively- and negatively-charged ions cause them to clump together, allowing for improved filtration capture. BPI technology also provides odor neutralization and can help save energy by reducing outdoor air intake needs.

Needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) is MSC's preferred technology as it is highly effective and does not produce ozone or other harmful byproducts, unlike traditional corona discharge devices. It is recommended that installation of any bipolar ionization system be preceded by thorough cleaning and disinfection of evaporator coils, condensate pans, and AHU interiors as part of a Total Care IAQ approach.

NPBI has been tested and found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), inactivating 99.4% of a virus sample after thirty minutes of ion exposure. It has also been proven effective against pathogens that include norovirus, tuberculosis, MRSA, staphylococcus, mold spores, E. coli (escherichia coli), Legionella, and C. diff (clostridium difficile).

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

UVGI is a proven, cost-effective method of eliminating microbial growth in HVAC systems and circulated air. UVGI targets organisms such as bacteria, mold, fungus, yeast, viruses, protozoa, and other microbes with short-wave UV-C energy, disrupting their DNA and rendering them unable to reproduce.

Damp, humid conditions in air handling system encourage biological growth and accumulation that, if left unattended, can release contaminants and odors into the airstream, choke airflow, and decrease system efficiency. MSC offers two types of UVGI systems - coil and in-duct - which can be applied as stand-alone solutions or used in tandem.

Coil UVGI treatment exposes coils and drain pans to UV-C light continuously, safely, and cost effectively, killing up to 98% of microbial growth, substantially restoring HVAC system capacity, and reducing energy consumption. In-duct UVGI systems, which consist of high-output UV-C lamps that can be installed in single units or multi-lamp configurations to maximize airstream exposure, can be used to augment coil UVGI treatment by further reducing airborne microbes.