Private kindergarten – parents want proof the units are sanitised. How do we go about it?
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I run a private kindergarten in Otopeni, 5 group rooms and a nap room, 7 wall units (LG, 12,000 and 18,000 BTU), 4 years old. A parent who is a doctor raised the issue of mould in the units at a meeting and now everyone wants 'proof'. What rhythm, what procedure, what do we show them?
What is really happening
Data from child-care centres show 20–40% increases in cough and lower respiratory illness in air-conditioned versus naturally ventilated spaces, and meta-analyses on dampness and mould in children point the same way. The mechanism is that of any split: wet evaporator, biofilm, spores blown out at start-up – only in a group room there are 20 children under the unit, and in the nap room they breathe its air two hours a day. The 18,000 BTU units in the large rooms are bigger and quoted separately; the principle is the same.
- Inspection: assessing condition and symptoms.
- Service check: checks and measurements appropriate to the unit.
- Cleaning: removing deposits.
- Sanitising: suitable treatment of cleaned surfaces.
The actual scope is confirmed before the visit.
- In child-care centres, air conditioning (versus natural ventilation) was associated with 20–40% increases in cough and lower respiratory illness in children. [LBNL Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findi, 2023]
- In children, home dampness and mould are associated with more respiratory infections and symptoms, according to recent meta-analyses. [Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 2023]
- When a contaminated air conditioner starts, airborne fungal concentration in the room can jump from 40–920 to 5,500–100,000 CFU/m³. [Indoor Air, 2023]
- The fungal genera dominant in split units – Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus – are recognised triggers of allergic asthma. [Building and Environment, 2025]
What we do on site
- Booked on a Saturday when no children are in; 7 units = a full day, two teams if needed.
- Each unit: sealed double cover, hose to the bucket, foil on tables and cots; alkaline detergent, adjustable pressure wash of evaporator, roller, pan and hose; chlorine-free, fragrance-free sanitising; filters washed.
- The 7 outdoor units washed in place.
- Drying on 'Fan' with windows open; on Monday the children walk into neutral rooms.
- Intervention sheet per unit with before/after photos, products used, date; a short version for the notice board.
- See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- Staff: filters weekly (5 minutes per unit), logged in the register.
- Set 24–25 °C and switch the units on 30 minutes before the children arrive, with a window ajar, so the start-up 'burst' does not catch them in the room.
- Nap room on 'Fan' for 20 minutes after nap time.
What NOT to do
- Do not accept 'antibacterial' spray in the grilles as a solution – the doctor parent will spot it immediately.
- Do not run the units while floors are washed with chlorine; the fumes get into the unit.
Prevention
Kindergarten: at least twice a year, nap room three times; filters weekly; sheets on the notice board.
When to call us
Kindergarten quote: 0764 012 943 / WhatsApp with the number and type of units; Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00; Otopeni is in our area.
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Sources (9)
- iaqscience.lbl.gov/increased-use-air-conditioning-and-potential
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526054223000398
- www.osti.gov/biblio/1004161
- academic.oup.com/aje/article/194/12/3492/8249775
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325010303
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/
- knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/ventilation-for-buildings-ductwork-cleanliness-of-ventilat
- www.facilitatemagazine.com/good-practice-legal/explainer/2013/04/04/bs-en-15780-ventilatio
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.