IntrCooll renews VDI 6022 hygiene certification

Innovation in energy-efficient evaporative cooling technology is greatly stimulated by the ever-growing global cooling demand. This also gives rise to the development of new guidelines and legislation for evaporative cooling.

VDI 6022 Part 1

One of the best-known and arguably most strict guidelines of them all is the German VDI 6022 Part 1, developed by the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure. Contrary to what is sometimes believed, it really is a hygiene certification, or a hygiene-conformity check certification, to be exact. It is applicable for every HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system in which water comes in contact with the supply airstream, and is primarily written in order to protect human health.

Although in Germany it is a guideline and not a law, in practice it is treated as mandatory, for manufacturers and operators alike. For example, the manufacturer must ensure the unit drains automatically when shut off. Components must also dry periodically to prevent microbial growth. The operator, on the other hand, is responsible for having periodic hygiene checks carried out by qualified personnel. All these measures are intended to promote safe and hygienic use of the evaporative cooling systems.

Curious how our technology delivers demonstrably cool, hygienic air? Download our whitepaper “Challenges and Opportunities for Energy-Efficient Climate Control” and discover how to create a comfortable and sustainable indoor climate within your production facility.

IntrCooll: certification obtained

The IntrCooll, Oxycom’s two-stage evaporative cooler, has now successfully renewed its VDI 6022 hygiene certification. It complies with all the hygiene-related design, maintenance and operating requirements, and when operated and maintained properly, it will condition an indoor climate that is said to be perfectly safe for human occupancy. It also passed all hygiene inspections, in which several water samples from a running system were examined on microbial activity.

Material suitability (DIN EN ISO 846)

One particularly important aspect of this certification is DIN EN ISO 846 compliance. Air-handling components that contain plastic parts and come in contact with the supply airstream must be tested in an independent laboratory to prove that they are not a nutrient source for bacterial and fungal growth. All such components in the IntrCooll have successfully passed these tests, including the Oxyvap itself, Oxycom’s own, patented evaporative media.

Related and complementary guidelines

This certification aligns not only with VDI 6022 Part 1 (01/2018), but also with VDI 3803 Part 1 (05/2020) and SWKI VA104-01 (01/2019).

- VDI 3803 Part 1 covers the structural and technical principles of central air-conditioning systems and includes energy-efficiency aspects.

- SWKI VA104-01 is the Swiss guideline for hygiene requirements for air-conditioning systems, developed by the Schweizerischer Verein von Gebäudetechnik-Ingenieuren, and is basically the Swiss version of VDI 6022 Part 1.