Cleaning and Remediation of Flood Contaminated HVAC Systems

As per NIOSH Interim Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers

During flooding, systems for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) can become submerged in flood waters. As a result, these systems may contain substantial amounts of dirt and debris and may also become contaminated with various types of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The following recommendations will help ensure that HVAC systems contaminated with flood water are properly cleaned and remediated to provide healthy indoor environments.

Microorganisms may grow on all surfaces of HVAC system components that weresubmerged in flood waters. In addition, moisture can collect in HVAC systemcomponents that were not submerged (such as air supply ducts above the water line)and can promote the growth of microorganisms. Therefore, all components of the HVACsystem that were contaminated with flood water or moisture should be thoroughlyinspected, cleaned of dirt and debris, and disinfected by a qualified professional. Thefollowing recommendations will help ensure that HVAC systems contaminated withflood water are properly cleaned and remediated to provide healthy indoorenvironments.

These interim recommendations are based on current knowledge as ofSeptember 21, 2005; the recommendations will be updated and revised as appropriate,as additional information becomes available.

For complete article go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/Cleaning-Flood-HVAC.html