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TR19 Air 2026 Standard

AHU & Ventilation
Ductwork Cleaning

Contaminated air handling units and ductwork circulate dust, mould, bacteria and allergens throughout your building. TR19 Air 2026 sets the standard for how clean your ventilation system must be — and how that must be measured and documented.

The Problem
What Builds Up in Your Ductwork?

Over time, ventilation ductwork accumulates a range of contaminants. These aren't just an aesthetic issue — they directly affect the health of building occupants, the efficiency of your HVAC system, and your legal compliance obligations.

Common ductwork contaminants include:

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Staff Health & Productivity

Poor indoor air quality is linked to increased sick days, reduced cognitive function and higher rates of respiratory illness. The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to provide clean, healthy air.

HEALTH & SAFETY LAW

Energy Efficiency

Dirty AHUs and ductwork restrict airflow, forcing fans to work harder and consuming significantly more energy. Clean systems can reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 30%.

ENERGY SAVINGS
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Compliance Obligations

TR19 Air 2026 requires documented cleanliness assessments for ventilation systems. Facilities managers, building owners and employers all have obligations under health and safety law.

TR19 AIR 2026
The Standard
What is TR19 Air 2026?

TR19 Air 2026 is the updated BESA standard for the cleanliness of ventilation systems. It replaced the previous TR19 document and introduced more rigorous measurement and documentation requirements for all types of ductwork — not just kitchen extract systems.

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Dust Deposit Benchmarks

The standard sets maximum acceptable dust deposit levels for different duct surfaces, measured in mg/m². These must be recorded before and after cleaning to demonstrate compliance.

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Microbiological Assessment

Where required, TR19 Air 2026 allows for microbiological sampling to assess bacterial and fungal contamination levels — particularly relevant in healthcare, food production and education settings.

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Video & Photographic Evidence

Remote camera inspection of inaccessible duct sections is used to assess conditions and provide before/after evidence. This is a requirement for full TR19 Air compliance documentation.

PWVR Certificate

A Post-Work Verification Report is issued confirming dust deposit levels are within the TR19 Air 2026 standard — your legal compliance record for insurance and regulatory purposes.

Our Process
What We Do on Every Visit
01

Pre-Clean Assessment

Full survey of AHU and ductwork. Dust deposit levels measured and recorded. Camera inspection of inaccessible sections where required.

02

AHU Internal Clean

Full internal clean of air handling unit — coils, fans, drain pans, filter housings and internal surfaces decontaminated and cleared of debris.

03

Ductwork Clean

Mechanical agitation and extraction of dust and contaminants from supply and extract ductwork. Access panels opened, cleaned, and properly resealed.

04

Post-Clean Verification

Dust deposit levels re-measured and recorded. PWVR certificate issued within 24 hours confirming TR19 Air 2026 compliance.

Common Questions
AHU & Ventilation Cleaning FAQ

How often should ductwork be cleaned?

TR19 Air 2026 recommends frequency based on system type and usage. As a general guide: systems in occupied offices and schools should be assessed every 2-3 years. High-risk environments (healthcare, food production) may require annual cleaning. We'll assess your system and advise.

Does the building need to be empty during cleaning?

For AHU cleaning, the system will be offline during the work. We recommend carrying out ductwork cleaning outside of occupied hours to avoid disruption and dust disturbance. Early morning or weekend slots are available.

What is the difference between TR19 Air and TR19 Grease?

TR19 Grease specifically covers kitchen extract systems where grease contamination is the primary concern. TR19 Air 2026 covers all other ventilation systems (offices, schools, hospitals, AHUs etc) where dust and microbiological contamination are the focus.

Will cleaning actually improve our air quality?

Yes — significantly. Studies consistently show that clean ductwork and AHUs reduce airborne particulates, dust and allergens in occupied spaces. Many building managers report noticeable improvements in air freshness within days of a clean.

What sectors do you work in?

We work across all commercial sectors in Yorkshire including offices, schools and colleges, healthcare facilities, hotels and hospitality, retail, industrial units and manufacturing premises.

Get Your AHU & Ventilation Clean Quoted Today

Full TR19 Air 2026 compliance — clean, healthy air for your building occupants, with documented proof of compliance issued within 24 hours.

Request a Free Quote →