Simple Care Techniques for Your High-Quality Commercial HVAC System and Products
Stainless-steel HVAC products are known for their durability, performance, and safety. Stainless steel generally resists corrosion and does not attract moisture or condensation, which is essential to ensure specific air conditions.
Stainless steel also plays a role in the visual appeal of a facility’s brand. Much like a kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and fixtures, this material is viewed as clean, polished, sleek, and uniform.
When a hospital, pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, laboratory, or any other cleanroom environment orders superior stainless-steel products for a mission-critical commercial HVAC installation, they benefit from both the functional and aesthetic value of stainless steel.
Despite its many beneficial qualities, stainless steel does need to be cleaned. Cleaning, however, is a complicated question for cleanroom professionals. Before practical cleaning advice is provided, it is important to acknowledge the environment in which your components will be used. For example, in spaces where stringent infection control measures must be taken may have different cleaning procedures than an office building.
Generally speaking, there are three key strategies to ensure the stainless steel used for your commercial HVAC system components maintain their quality and appearance over time.
Essential Cleaning Tips for Commercial HVAC Stainless Steel
If you simply want to clean your stainless-steel components without introducing corrosion, follow these basic guidelines:
- Never use chlorinated chemicals. These cause corrosion, pitting, and cracking, putting your commercial HVAC system’s components at risk of damage and malfunction. Chlorinated chemicals may be required for cleaning surfaces and other parts of your facility, so it is critical to communicate to your team that these can’t be used for stainless steel.
- Scrubbing or scouring, especially with steel wool, will damage your stainless steel. Steel wool filaments that remain in the stainless steel you are trying to clean will eventually rust, introducing corrosion to your components.
- Look for products that are safe for stainless steel, such as white vinegar and water, and provide them for your facility team members responsible for cleaning. You can also use a microfiber cloth for smudges and fingerprints.
What to Do When 316 Stainless-Steel Upgrades Are Required for Your Commercial HVAC System
The most common form of fabricated stainless steel is 304 stainless steel. It resists corrosion because of its high nickel content. This form of stainless steel is used in many industries for its strength and reliability.
However, you may decide that 316 stainless steel is required for your facility. For instance pharmaceutical fill lines and laboratories require 316 stainless steel because there is less risk of metallic contamination due to the difference in elements used in 316 stainless steel, as opposed to 304.
Stainless steel for commercial HVAC systems is even more resistant to corrosion than 304.
Even so, 316 stainless steel still requires care to ensure you don’t clean with corrosive products. Although you may have chosen a higher quality steel, it is still important to remember that cleaning or the environment in which your components are installed don’t encourage corrosion.
For more information on the differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel, read this helpful FAQ guide.
Antimicrobial Powder Coating for Your Commercial HVAC Components
Antimicrobial powder coating is used to guard stainless steel against environmental damage, including corrosion and even fingerprints. In some cases, these qualities may be enough to decide that you need an additional layer of protection for your commercial HVAC system’s components. You’ll worry less about cleaning and more about other aspects of your facility.
Your facility will get an additional benefit, as well. Powder coating is also useful if infection prevention is an essential reason why you’re exploring a brand-new commercial HVAC installation in the first place. Antimicrobial powder coating is also used for its germicidal qualities. Hospitals and other critical environments opt for powder coating on their stainless-steel commercial HVAC system products to prevent harm in their facilities.
Find a Manufacturer Who Provides Superior Options for your Commercial HVAC System
As you consider the type of system you need in order to deliver excellent indoor air quality to your facility, do your research on the manufacturer creating the components or structures for your commercial HVAC installation. A premier manufacturer will provide options including 316 stainless steel and antimicrobial powder coat finish to increase the longevity and appearance of your products.
Consider looking for a manufacturer that specializes in critical environments. Critical environments require the most stringent specifications for components, including stainless-steel commercial HVAC systems. Working with a manufacturer that possesses this specialization delivers effectiveness, precision, and quality in their day-to-day operations.
To learn more about the stainless-steel products that custom HVAC manufacturers create, view this portfolio of products, which all include 316 stainless steel and powder coating as options.