Trane's stance on UVC

[Guest guest]

Matt, you do not mention whether your friend is directly associated with Trane. If they are, please ask them why Trane Parts, owned by Trane, has been actively selling UVC for several years; first Eclipse and now Ultravation. Trane is one of the few manufactures that doesn't have their own brand UV, like Lennox and r, but Trane Parts does sell these third party lamps. If this memo had any credibility, they would take them off the shelves. I have posted this question once before and no one would respond so perhaps you could find out for us.

Thanks,

Greg Hatfield, CIE

iaqman2@...

From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf Of Matt KleinSent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:05 PMTo: iequality Subject: Re: UVC-filter breakdown question

Curiously, I just received this message from a friend. Note the statement about damage to polymeric materials, of which filter media is usually composed or has as an ingredient. The link says where it is from:Trane, Inc. Corporate Position Statement 05 August 2003 Trane's Position on UV-C Lights http://www.trane.com/commercial/issues/iaq/TraneUVCposition.pdf Excerpt: "Trane/American Standard has been studying the potential effectiveness of UV-C ultraviolet light technology for the purpose of improving indoor air quality (“IAQ”). Experts involved in the study of IAQ agree that it is a complex, multifaceted issue. As such, no single “silver bullet” solution exists capable of resolving every IAQ problem. Some equipment manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers in the HVAC industry have adopted the use of UV-C lights as a proposed solution to microbial growth issues related to IAQ in buildings. Trane/American Standard has reviewed the available technical data and a limited number of independent studies conducted to date to determine its practicality and effectiveness to prevent or inhibit microbial growth in buildings. While science supports the fact that with sufficient time and intensity (dose), UV-C light can harm microbes, Trane/American Standard has concluded that: • UV-C light is effective in reducing microbial growth on stationary surfaces given sufficient dose; • UV-C light has little effect on reducing many airborne microbes in ducted systems, particularly with respect to the spore forms of microorganisms; • UV-C light has no effect on microbial growth in areas of a building not directly illuminated by UV-C lights. • Claims that UV-C lights keep the interior surfaces of equipment and duct systems clean are anecdotal and not supported by qualified, third-party research at this time. Consequently, Trane/American Standard does not recommend the use of UV-C lights in HVAC systems as a remedy or a means of preventing microbial growth in buildings. In addition, exposure to high-intensity UV-C light can seriously damage polymeric materials (e.g., electrical insulation) commonly found in HVAC air distribution systems. Users of this technology must also be aware that exposure to high-intensity UV-C light poses a personal danger to installers and maintenance personnel. Environmentally responsible disposition of mercury-containing UV-C bulbs is required.