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Duct Cleaning
MARCOR is a Certified Regular Member in good standing with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
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Mechanical hygiene is the scientific and mechanical analysis, performance- based refurbishment, and validation of the ventilation system(s) of a commercial building, plane, sea vessel, or any occupied, contained area other than a residential dwelling.
MARCOR is fully qualified to deal with asbestos, lead, or other environmental problems that may be encountered.
Mechanical hygiene incorporates what is known as the "total building systems approach" to a ventilation system. It begins by evaluating the current operating conditions of a mechanical system against benchmarks: ASHRAE's Acceptable Ventilation for Thermal Comfort, ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004, and ASHRAE’s 4.0 O&M Guideline. Once the operation of a system is verified, the next phase is a performance evaluation and component inspection. Ventilation air rates are evaluated to correspond to design criteria.
MARCOR provides treatment and disposal of wastewater for a variety of waste streams, including heavy metals, high COD/BOD organics, phenols, and other hard-to-treat contaminants. Whether it’s applying the proper treatment to ensure safe release of effluent into a municipal system, or the required processing of industrial wastewater for sanitary disposal, our environmental experts employ state-of-the-art methods. We comply with the tight thresholds imposed by recent regulations and can obtain all necessary permits. We also perform water characterization and treatibility studies and can conduct toxicity reduction evaluations to ensure compliance with testing requirements. In addition, we can assist you with long-term wastewater management planning.
Based on the written, pre-job report encompassing all of the above data, a list of recommendations is presented to the customer for consideration. A final report validating the performance as well as the final condition of a building's ventilation system is presented as a follow-up. This documentation is the most comprehensive and best method for ensuring compliance.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing
Since most of an IAQ Phase I evaluation is conducted by observation, the extensive experience of MARCOR’s personnel offers a distinct advantage.
Routine CO2, CO, VOC, and other tests performed by our trained technicians are sent to accredited, certified laboratories for evaluation. Results are compared to standard threshold limit values.
Indoor Air Quality is a multi-disciplinary composite of the following three areas:
- Industrial Hygiene - an inspection phase which includes various tests and a general building evaluation.
- Engineering Evaluation - determines capacity, performance, temperature, humidity, and air flow parameters.
- Medical Evaluation - analyzes medical symptoms of individuals to identify and quantify perceived illnesses as they relate to the building’s IAQ.
Since some 52% of IAQ problems relate directly to ventilation systems, as documented by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, determination of existing conditions is essential. While MARCOR does not diagnose "Sick Building Syndrome" or building- related illnesses, we are highly experienced and qualified to document the existing conditions of a building or other confined area. Analysis of this baseline information is vital in determining the proper operation of a ventilation system.
Commercial HVAC/IAQ and Energy Efficiency Evaluations
As a nationally acclaimed expert in this rapidly evolving field, MARCOR treats more than just symptoms. We tackle the underlying problems that cause inefficient, unhealthy and potentially dangerous indoor air quality. Then we help you establish a maintenance plan to ensure continued success.
Evaluation of system performance is the key to determining a HVAC system’s role in cost savings and good IAQ. Before undertaking a refurbishment project, it is critical to determine the status of the system, modifications that have been made since the system was installed, and changes in occupant density and usage. It is equally important to establish scientific and engineering baselines from which to specify and detail refurbishment or to change or upgrade mechanical equipment. Quite often, refurbishment can justify energy rebates from utility companies.
HVAC system evaluations are valuable in determining the need, extent, and location(s) of refurbishment, the need for modifications or replacement, and the conditions of individual components. Only after thorough investigation can one begin to assess the operation, condition, and need for system(s) remediation. This is important in documenting and validating proposed work.
Air Conveyance Hygiene Services
Our air conveyance hygiene services include the cost-effective source removal of debris from all parts (e.g., coils, air movement devices, ducts, fans, heating coils, diffusers, and humidifiers) of a HVAC system. Each part is inspected and cleaned individually to ensure that the entire system is free of visible contaminants.
Insulation Refurbishment
Remediation of excessively degraded or soiled internal fiberglass duct liners and duct boards requires the ability to first determine methods for cleaning and for encapsulation. A tedious, delicate balance of abrasion and cleaning techniques must be used to remove as much particulate matter as possible while preserving the integrity of the fibrous liner or duct board. Since cleaning can only remove loose particles, there quite often is a need for additional refurbishment measures. In some instances, portions of materials must be replaced.
Sanitizing, Decontaminating, and Disinfecting
Sanitizing, decontaminating, and disinfecting ventilation systems call for skill, knowledge, and experience. Microbes, odor, mold, and fungi problems require the scientific application of various treatment products. Complex problems inherent in the performance of this work, including difficulties in gaining access and in achieving uniform application and coverage, require highly skilled experts, particularly in view of the liability concerns associated with introducing chemicals into an air distribution system. Since encapsulation of a duct liner alters the fire rating, changes acoustical value, voids the manufacturer’s warranty, and voids the UL warranty, these services should only be performed by MARCOR professionals.
Ozone Sterilization
Ventilation systems by nature are not readily accessible for sanitization or for disinfection with a liquid. Compounded by the fact that most low-pressure ventilation systems are not sealed and have air leaks at joints, application of liquid compounds sometimes causes damage via leaks from these areas. Therefore, in systems that require treatment for remediation of microbial problems where access or leakage is a concern, ozone is utilized in conjunction with proprietary processes to mitigate microorganisms. In systems where there is a need for sterilization or where there is a concern about removal of biocide residues, utilization of the ozone proprietary process is the most effective means of accomplishing the desired result, as there is no residue after treatment.
Air Balancing
MARCOR provides both pre-job and post-job analysis and verification of air distribution within a building. As a precursor to any mechanical hygiene work, it is imperative to establish a baseline from which to determine any and all consider-actions for future remediation and refurbishment. The ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62.1-2004 (outdoor air intake and total air flow) are critical to establish, yet this standard is recognized as the single most important criterion for proper IAQ in a commercial building.
For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.
