What’s in your ducts? If you’re a coffee manufacturer, well, that would be coffee. And a lot of it!
IRS’ Air Systems Cleaning Technology division was called in when a coffee manufacturer noticed some sagging ductwork.
An initial inspection revealed the problem: The ducts were full of coffee debris.
Ducts full of coffee debris buckling under the weight
Coffee in the Ducts
The company processes coffee and uses a dust collection system for the airborne particles generated in the process. They noticed the ducts were bending from the weight of the debris inside. IRS Air Systems had cleaned the ducts only a year earlier. In that relatively short period, enough debris had collected to cause an unsafe condition. The situation was so dangerous production had to be halted for multiple days.
Ducts full of coffee debris
Cleaning the Air System
The system ducts were cleared out with specialized equipment. IRS deployed a debris collection vehicle and a high velocity vacuum to clean out the sagging ductwork and relieve the stress on the brackets. Once the situation was safe, staff shoveled and vacuumed the entire system to create a better airflow for the production process.
Cleaning ducts
Ducts after cleaning
IRS technician cleaning out dust collection in the hopper
Preventative Commercial Duct Cleaning
Preventative commercial duct cleaning has many benefits. In this case the client realized that cleaning only when a dangerous situation has developed did not make business sense if it lead to production stoppages. They set up a schedule for regular inspections 2-3 times per year in order to catch and clean build up before it lead to stoppages. IRS worked with them to install access door in the ducts so that future inspections and cleaner would be quicker leading to less down time.
I recommend inspecting any ventilation system or dust collection system frequently to determine your cleaning schedule. Every facility is different, and everyone of them will have different cleaning schedules.
IRS installed access doors in the ducts so future inspections and cleaning will be easier
IRS Air Systems division handles commercial duct cleaning services. We follow the guidelines of the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) and we have certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialists (ASCS), Certified Ventilation System Inspector (CVI) and Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) on staff to assist clients with the assessment and cleaning of ventilation systems.
Insurance Restoration Specialists, Inc. (IRS) is a premier provider of disaster recovery mitigation, environmental remediation, biohazard emergency response and HVAC inspection and cleaning in the New Jersey-Philadelphia area. IRS is certified by NADCA and have Certified Air Systems Cleaning Technicians and a Certified Ventilation System Inspector on staff. Services include mold removal, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, flood damage cleanup, smoke damage remediation, and biohazard remediation. Insurance Restoration Specialists is led by Certified Industrial Hygienist Thomas Peter.
