Programme focus: Hygienic Air Handling Units (HAHUs)

The Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Hygienic Air Handling Units (HAHU) applies to hygienic ranges of Air Handling Units (AHUs). It is an additional certification option for AHUs already holding Eurovent Certified Performance. It certifies the hygienic aspect by checking the quality of the materials used, the components selected, as well as the level of maintenance of the casing and of the components.

Why is Hygienic AHU certification important?

Some buildings require particularly high hygienic standards when it comes to indoor air. Whether it’s a business or school looking to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) to boost productivity or minimise sick days, a healthcare establishment wishing to manage the risk of airborne infection, or applications such as pharmaceutical, food processing and operating theatres, where air quality is paramount, hygienic AHUs can go a step further from standard units to manage airborne contaminants.

However, identifying the correct Hygienic AHU for very specialist projects can be a minefield. Previously there was no standardised way to identify the hygienic capabilities of AHUs, or regulatory compliance with health and safety standards, that’s why Eurovent Certification created the Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Hygienic Air Handling Units. The programme guarantees the hygienic aspect of an AHU by checking the quality of the materials used, the components selected, as well as the level of maintenance of the casing and of the components.

Plus, the hygienic certification uses a 3-level system to classify each AHU by application:

Level 1: Is suitable for commercial applications including offices, commercial buildings, schools and hotels.

Level 2: Is suitable for use in hospitals and healthcare. Level 2 certified hygienic AHUs comply with the VDI 6022-1:2018 standard.

Level 3: Is suitable for applications including pharmaceutical, food processing, white rooms, operating theatres and equivalent. Level 3 certified hygienic AHUs comply with the VDI 6022-1:2018 and DIN 1946-4:2018 standards.

As the hygienic level of the product is clearly displayed, the certification is simple to understand, with clear definitions, and no interpretations.

What products are included?

Hygienic AHUs provide the same functions as traditional AHUs but are suitable for applications requiring a high hygienic standard. Hygienic AHUs are easy to clean and disinfect, featuring access to all internal surfaces, and are constructed in such a way as to reduce places where dirt can accumulate. The materials used in construction are designed to prevent fungal and bacterial growth, be resist corrosion and abrasion, and are odourless and emission free.

Hygienic AHUs are factory made encased assembly units. The supply AHU comprises a model box (housing or casing), fan(s) and at least one other component for processing the air. Hygienic AHUs can include multiple components such as a filter, heater, cooler, energy recovery component, humidifier, dehumidifier, or mixing section.

Hygienic AHUs use a ductwork system to deliver conditioned air into an area. Typically, a fan pulls ventilated air into the AHU, where it is then conditioned and distributed into the space. Hygienic AHUs use a return AHU to pull in exhaust air and expel it to outside of the building.

What is certified?

The following characteristics are certified:

Services characteristics:

• Manufacturing
• Maintenance
• Quality Management System
• IOM (Installation and Operational Manual)
• Shipment.

Hygienic characteristics:

• Materials
• Casing performance
• Components arrangement and performances (filters, coils, heat recovery systems, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and silencers).

The above characteristics are checked every year through audits. The audit consists of visual checking of the unit/components available during the audit of the factory, review of the software and technical documents with the manufacturer.

What are the standards?

The certification refers to the following standards:

• Appendix H of ECP-05 AHU for HAHU
• EN ISO 846:2019
• EN ISO 2896:2001
• EN 10088-3:2014
• EN 1993-1-2:2005
• DIN 1946/4-6.5.1:2018
• EN 16890:2016
• EN 1822:2019
• EN ISO 12944-2:2017
• VDI 6022-1:2018.

You can find out more about the certification rules and requirements in the Technical Certification Rules and Certification Manual on our Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Hygienic Air Handling Units page.

Why choose Eurovent Certified Performance?

Eurovent Certified Performance for Hygienic AHUs offers a comprehensive, independent and impartial certification programme, which goes far beyond laboratory testing alone.

This programme includes:

• Independent laboratory tests
• Factory audits
• Software audits and certification
• Full analysis and validation of all supplied data (including marketing materials)
• Surveillance process to ensure continued conformity.

Evaluation protocols are uniform to ensure the certification process is fair and equal for all manufacturers. Eurovent Certification:

• Evaluates all Hygienic AHUs according to the same criteria
• Expresses results in the same unit of measurement, regardless of the country where the products are manufactured or marketed
• Ensures all products within the programme go through exactly the same certification, auditing and surveillance process
• Ensures products with components manufactured across multiple sites (sometimes in different countries), all reach Eurovent certification standards
• Impartiality standards are kept high as manufacturers and laboratories have no direct contact, keeping the process clear of any bias
• Additionally, products to be tested can be taken from the production line, factory stock or point of sale, ensuring the product tested is exactly the same as those leaving the production line.

As all AHUs go through the same process, decision makers can directly compare this data when making product decisions, via the free to access certified product directory.

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Discover more about the Hygienic Air Handling Unit programme