September-October 2022 - 38

HEALTH & SAFETY
AUTHOR Dean Saputa
Terminal Safety
Includes Healthy Air
and UV-C Light
THE ROLE of indoor air quality has become top of mind
for the world's leading airports. These transportation
hubs serve millions of passengers, employ thousands of
workers, and occupy millions of square feet. As a result,
many airport facility directors are turning to ultraviolet
germicidal light (UV C) to combat pathogens that grow
in and travel through HVAC systems. It's a preventive
measure that protects people, improves HVAC performance,
and saves energy.
UV disinfection is an established
technology that dates to the 1930s, and
it inactivates mold, viruses, and bacteria.
According to industry experts,
the 253.7nm wavelength damages the
genetic structure of microorganisms,
rendering them inert and unable to
reproduce. It is effective on airborne
particulates and those growing on
surfaces. This surface and airstream
disinfection property is a critical
advantage inside commercial HVAC
systems, where germs can proliferate.
Airports are smart to adopt UV-C.
Researchers note that UV-C is a vital
safeguard against infectious diseases,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DEAN SAPUTA
UV Resources Vice President and Co-Founder Dean Saputa
currently serves as chair of ASHRAE SPC-185.2 (Method
of Testing Ultraviolet Lamps) and as secretary of GPC-37,
Guidelines for the Application of Upper-Air Ultraviolet
Germicidal Devices to Control the Transmission of
Airborne Pathogens. He can be reached at Dean.Saputa@
UVResources.com
including the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
There are many studies that demonstrate
how germicidal irradiation kills
contagious particles like the rhinovirus
(common cold), influenza and
legionella (Legionnaires' disease).
UV-C also delivers significant
operational savings. Biologic growth
in commercial air handlers is a major
source of poor HVAC performance,
compromising components, so they
are no longer efficient in their function,
according to field measurements.
UV-C energy penetrates deep into
the HVAC coil, eliminating performance-robbing
and odor-causing
microbial build-up that can't be
reached by pressure washing or chemical
treatment.
Other benefits includes:
* Works inside air handling units
of any brand, size, or age
* Pa i rs wi th ASHRAE -
recommended air quality protections
such as high-efficiency
38 \ AIRPORT BUSINESS / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
UV RESOURCES
HVAC air filters, minimum
air changes per hour, ensuring
humidity design set points, etc.
* Improves airflow and restores
cooling capacity to near-original
design specifications
* Boosts coil-heat exchanger
efficiency,
thereby lowering
HVAC energy use
* Endorsed by CDC, ASHRAE,
a nd
A i r por t s
International
UV-C is also a safe way to eradicate
germs. The fixtures are installed
directly within an HVAC system, so
there's no human exposure to the
light. It doesn't use chemicals or
create harmful byproducts like VOCs
or ozone.
UV Resources has worked with
two of the busiest airports in the U.S.
- Dallas Fort Worth and Los Angeles
International. Both airports have been
pleased to experience the air quality,
maintenance, and efficiency benefits
of UV-C.
LAX
LAX opted to install UV-C fixtures
in more than 200 AHUs. The
technology has been so effective
that UV-C irradiation is now the
airport's mechanical design standard.
It meets LAX's requirements for
durability - 24/7 operation, a
20-year lifespan, and compatibility
with new and legacy systems.
Counc i l
September-October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September-October 2022
