Bringing buildings back to life
How biochemical technology is helping industry re-open in a COVID-19 World
Lockdowns have forced populations around the world to stay home. Australia is no exception. But while our focus has been closer to home, what has become of the spaces we’ve left behind? And how do they come back to life?
Closing down large-scale facilities and commercial buildings is not as simple as locking the door behind you. There is a significant cost and risk associated.
The systems that keep a building running rely on regular operation and maintenance to remain safe. Building and facility managers have had to balance the costs of keeping systems safe while facilities are not operational. This has often required the expertise of industrial and commercial building maintenance specialists.
NCH Australia, who specialise in building maintenance on an industrial and commercial scale, became instrumental in helping their clients maintain facilities throughout lockdown.
“This level of closures is unprecedented,” said Richard Swanborough at NCH Asia Pacific, “We were able to jump in really quickly for those facilities that already had our systems in place. But we’ve also been able to offer our expertise to facilities managers that needed urgent help during the crisis.”
As buildings re-open, owners and operators face new challenges, many of which were never even considered before COVID-19.
While there is little evidence to date of the role of HVAC systems in spreading the airborne particles associated with COVID-19, it has never been more essential to minimise the risks associated with cooling systems with proper maintenance and treatment.
Water systems, such as cooling systems and boilers, that have been operating under hibernation and stagnation can pose significant risks. HVAC systems that are not operational can develop corrosion, mould, and even contamination from bacteria like Legionella.
“The focus now is on re-opening facilities safely,” says Richard. “It’s a step-by-step process that requires both human expertise and the latest biochemical technology to succeed.”
To restart critical cooling systems, NCH Australia developed a 4-step strategy that combines human expertise with patented biochemical technology, leading the way in unprecedented times.
The first stage of any re-opening is a system audit to review and identify specific issues and strategies for scale, corrosion and microbiological control. The best way to achieve this is with a biotech system that provides a specific measure of the potential to form biofilms and biofouling deposits in recirculating water systems.
The second stage is maintenance. This involves physical and special chemical cleaning processes, that penetrate heavy deposits, sludge, contaminants, microorganisms, and biofilm. Routine chemical program solutions are essential for maintenance of water treatment equipment. This includes a Biofilm remover as well as a surfactant and penetrant for water cooling systems.
The third stage is disinfection. Stagnant water or low flow is a perfect environment for biofilm or bacteria to grow, like Legionella. A testing program can assist in controlling the building’s waterborne pathogens risks, along with using a disinfectant such as Bromax, a patented single-feed stabilised liquid or oxidising biocide tablets for cooling towers.
The final stage before re-opening and water-cooling system is passivation. Start-up procedure of systems are necessary, otherwise stagnant water will cause pitting corrosion and even microbiologically influence corrosion. Chem-Aqua offers a customised program for corrosion inhibition, to protect equipment like cooling tower systems and closed loops using automation systems and includes a solution with a tracer that no other product of its kind has.
Despite the massive impact on large-scale facilities and commercial property, the silver lining is that businesses are becoming more aware of the need for maintenance systems to be in place and improve the safety of water cooling systems through the increased appreciation for both human expertise and biochemical solutions that already exist.
About NCH
