DRLC Ltd: Keeping your ventilation systems clean with new technology

When hospitals and clinic buildings are first constructed, ventilation ducts are installed in ceilings and walls, which then remain undisturbed during the lifetime of the building. The Health Technical Memorandum 03-01 (HTM03-01), SFG20 maintenance guide and the British Standard BSEN-15780 outline standards in relation to this.

DRLC supply engineering services to healthcare premises, including advice on clean air. Hence, we have invested in a robot – nicknamed ‘Dotty the Dust Inspector’ – which enables NHS Trusts to investigate these hidden systems and ascertain whether they require attention. Despite our light-hearted characterisation of Dotty, facilitating clean air a serious matter, especially in healthcare buildings. Air flowing through ducting to wards and other clinical areas usually slows down as it reaches its destination. When this happens, dust is deposited in the duct which can then build up significantly over time, partially blocking the duct.

Dotty offers numerous advantages, revolutionising the traditional methods of duct inspection. The benefits span from enhancing safety and precision to improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Whilst filming on her camera, Dotty will run up and down ducts to determine the condition of the duct. A traditional duct inspection would be carried out by shining a torch through an access hatch. This is only effective for as far as the beam of the torch or the first bend in the ductwork. Dotty can travel for much longer distances and continues to move even if she is flipped over. She also inspects vertical ductwork by being lowered down the duct from an access hatch.

Duct systems often have complex, winding structures with narrow and hard-to-reach areas. Robotic cameras are designed to navigate these challenging environments with ease. Their small size, flexible design, and manoeuvrability enable them to access and inspect parts of the duct that would be impossible or extremely difficult for humans to reach. Dotty ensures a more complete and thorough inspection.

Robotic cameras provide detailed documentation of the inspection process through their high-quality images and videos. This data can be stored, analysed, and compared over time to monitor the condition of ducts and plan maintenance activities. It allows for better decision-making and helps in maintaining a historical record of the duct system’s cleanliness and integrity.

Robotic inspections can also contribute to environmental sustainability. By ensuring ducts are clean and free from contaminants, ventilation systems operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption. This leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.

For more information contact our Duct Survey Project Manager, Carolyne Chapman: carolyne@drlc.ukhttps://drlc.uk