Hygiene seal sticker
Independently certified

Hygiene in ventilation and air conditioning

Products in the field of ventilation and air conditioning are subject to special regulations designed to ensure that the quality of the supply air is at least sufficient to maintain healthy indoor air. Indoor air technology and air distribution products include ventilation systems and air conditioning systems. Hygiene is particularly important in systems that contribute to air exchange and thus to air quality.

The quality of our ventilation and air conditioning products

By meeting the requirements of VDI 6022-1, our products are suitable for installation in office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and all types of public buildings. Additional compliance with the special requirements of DIN 1946-4 makes it possible to install our products in buildings with hygienically demanding areas, such as hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Our products meet these special requirements because:

  • our focus is on hygienically sound material selection and product design right from the development stage.
  • All tests relating to hygiene requirements and the cleanability of the products, as well as the issuance of the hygiene certificate, are carried out by an independent hygiene institute.
  • Materials that come into contact with the supply air are subjected to microbiological tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 846. This means that the materials used in our products do not promote the growth of microorganisms (e.g., fungi and bacteria).
  • The materials used in the air-carrying area are resistant to cleaning agents and disinfectants (selection of disinfectants from the list of the Robert Koch Institute or the list of disinfectants of the Association for Applied Hygiene e.V.).
  • An examination of the design and surfaces is carried out from a hygienic point of view. Our products do not promote dust deposits and adhesion (breeding ground for microorganisms). For example, the maintenance-free, fully enclosed drive mechanism of the fire dampers is located outside the air flow. This prevents dust deposits and eliminates the need for regular cleaning and lubrication to maintain the functionality of the fire dampers.
  • Hygiene label on our products: a sign of compliance with hygiene requirements.
  • Regular hygiene monitoring of our products is carried out at the factory by the independent Hygiene Institute of the Ruhr Area. These tests are an extended component of our hygiene certificates and ensure that a hygiene-compliant product is manufactured in a hygienically impeccable environment.

Requirements and obligations regarding Hygiene in ventilation technology

One of the main functions of a ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC system) is to provide a comfortable indoor climate for users with healthy supply air. Several legal requirements must be taken into account when planning, manufacturing, installing, operating, and servicing HVAC systems and their components, including hygiene and health protection.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act

In the Occupational Safety and Health Act, labor law requires that the state of the art, occupational medicine, and hygiene be taken into account. The ArbStättV (Occupational Safety and Health Act) derived from this requires that, in addition to the availability of sufficiently healthy breathing air, HVAC systems be maintained and their functionality be checked regularly. The HVAC system itself should not be a source of danger (e.g., through sufficient healthy breathing air, the air handling units must be maintained and their functionality checked regularly. The air handling unit itself should not become a source of danger (e.g. through bacteria, mold, etc.), according to ASR A3.6 (Technical Rules for Workplaces).

The Model Building Code

According to the MBO, systems must be constructed, modified, and maintained in such a way that life, health, and natural resources are not endangered. The basic requirements for buildings according to the BauPVO must be taken into account—e.g., the third basic requirement: hygiene, health, and environmental protection.

Guideline VDI 6022-1: Hygiene requirements

The VDI 6022-1 guideline represents the state of the art in terms of hygiene requirements for HVAC systems. It stipulates that the quality of the supply air must not be worse than the quality of the outside air. The manufacturer must ensure that the materials used in its products comply with the requirements of VDI 6022-1. This also includes products such as fire dampers, swirl diffusers, or volume flow controllers as building elements of the ventilation system

The issuance of these certificates regarding conformity with VDI 6022-1 and other hygiene guidelines, as well as the performance of the tests, is the responsibility of the independent Hygiene Institute of the Ruhr Area, based in Gelsenkirchen.

Laws & Regulations

  • Construction Products Regulation (BauPVO)
  • Model Building Code (MBO)
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG)
  • Workplace Regulation

Standards & Guidelines

  • VDI 6022, Sheet 1: Ventilation and air conditioning, indoor air quality – Hygiene requirements for ventilation and air conditioning systems and equipment (VDI ventilation rules)
  • VDI 3803, Sheet 1: Ventilation and air conditioning; Central ventilation and air conditioning systems; Structural and technical requirements (VDI ventilation rules)
  • DIN EN 15780: Ventilation for buildings – Air ducts – Cleanliness of ventilation systems
  • DIN 1946-4: Ventilation and air conditioning – Part 4: Ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings and rooms used for healthcare purposes
  • ÖNORM H 6021: Ventilation systems – Cleanliness and cleaning
  • ÖNORM H 6020: Ventilation systems for rooms used for medical purposes – Design, installation, operation, servicing, technical and hygienic inspections
  • SWKI VA104-01: Hygiene requirements for ventilation and air conditioning systems and equipment
  • SWKI VA105-01: Ventilation and air conditioning systems in rooms used for medical purposes

All our hygiene certificates can be downloaded from the Wildeboer download area. Disinfectant instructions are listed in the operating instructions.

If you have any questions about the hygiene certificates for our products or specific queries about selected products from the air distribution fire protection range, please do not hesitate to contact us!