Standards for hygiene.

Explores the complexities of guidance for the ventilation of hygiene systems. The UK Health & Safety Executive estimates that 30 to 50% of refurbished buildings cause some form of sick building syndrome. It is obviously important that building managers take the necessary steps to establish programmes to maintain ductwork systems in a safe, effective and hygienic state. The UK Heating & Ventilation Contractors' Association and Building Services Research & Information Association have produced documents providing guidance on the hygienic maintenance and cleaning of ductwork. Adding to the good practice contained in these documents is the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers recently published TM26 "Hygienic maintenance of office ventilation ductwork" which provides guidance for building managers on the issues of assessment and maintenance of the microbiological cleanliness of ductwork systems in the office environment. These documents are available as a kit, together with the Health and Safety guidance note 202, general ventilation in the workplace. TM26 gives guidance on the methods to use when obtaining microbial samples from the air in occupied spaces and from the inside surfaces of the ducts. It also indicates the levels of microbial contamination that are likely to be found on uncleaned and cleaned duct surfaces and draws on a body of expert opinion from the academic and research community.