After being used as a 3000-bed field hospital in the early part of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the stakeholders for the Javits Center (a 3.3 million sq. ft., convention center), located in Manhattan, New York City, USA, realized the need to re-commission the facility back to public use. They knew they would need to initiate a stringent disinfection and remediation protocol to ensure public safety.
Javits Center contracted with Pure Air Control Services Inc. to disinfect the entire facility at the highest level. This included not only the occupied spaces, but the HVAC equipment as well. Pure Air Control Services initially consulted with the Javits Center and was then brought in to meet the challenges of efficiently and effectively disinfecting such a large public facility.
Proprietary PURE-Steam technology
They used a combination of specialized environmental services, performed by highly trained technicians, with accreditation from ERP, GBAC, ISSA, and NADCA.
This included Pure Air Control Services’ proprietary PURE-Steam disinfection of the HVAC air handler units, multi-level PURE-Decon building disinfection protocols and building flushing, utilizing the PURE-Blue large volume HEPA filtration system.
Rooftop HVAC Cleaning
All filters were decontaminated with Pure Air Control’s PURE-Decon electro static process
All filters were decontaminated with Pure Air Control Services' PURE-Decon electro static process, utilizing EPA List-N registered disinfectants for emerging pathogens (DEP). Then, the filters were removed, bagged and environmentally disposed.
Next, the units were meticulously HEPA vacuumed and topically cleaned. The units were steam cleaned and sanitized with Pure Air Control’s proprietary PURE-Steam technology. Finally, new HEPA filters were installed.
PURE-Decon electrostatic spray using DEP
The Expo Halls at the Javits Center were partitioned and used as patient areas. An in-depth protocol was engineered to address these highly sensitive areas. First, the Expo Halls were HEPA vacuumed and then disinfected with PURE-Decon electrostatic spray using DEP. Second, the areas were thoroughly wiped down by hand using DEP. This included every wall, columns up to 15 feet and even the inside of every electrical junction box.
Next, the floors were sanitized with ride-on and walk-behind scrubbers, or wet wiping, depending on the location and type of flooring. Finally, the Expo Halls were flushed at 20,000 CFM, utilizing Pure Air Control’s PURE-Blue Large Volume HEPA filtered air scrubber.
PURE-Blue Large Volume HEPA Filtration
The PURE-Blue, a Large Volume 20K CFM HEPA filtration machine is designed to alleviate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) concerns, while performing normal day to day operations and ongoing remediation services.
This HEPA filtration system is uniquely suited for environments exposed to coronavirus (COVID-18 virus) and other pathogens, or contaminants.
Key benefits of the solution include:
- HEPA Staged Filtration
- True TWO-STAGE particulate collector
- Backward-inclined radial fans (ultra-quiet)
- Unique patented dust collector system
PURE-Decon in the Crystal Palace
A similar combination of methods were employed in all other areas, including the large atrium known as the Crystal Palace, retail stores, restaurants, meeting pavilions, offices, locker rooms and all behind the scenes service corridors, as well as the loading docks.
The Results
After completion of the large environmental disinfecting project the Javits Center was able to be once again used as a public events space with the assurance that any trace of environmental SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) was thoroughly eradicated.
Geoff Stone, the BRS Project Manager at Pure Air Control Services Inc., said “Closely partnering with the Javits’ team on logistics and coordination was integral to the project’s success at scale.”