What the Heck can I expect?

I have a job to Quote and would like to know if you can recommend a starting point for this type of system so I could bid it?
The job is at a major hospital that will not allow water usage such high pressure washing, If I can guarantee it But (ICU just below!) the duct work extends from 3 units one large double island canopy around 15 foot for light prep cooking no fryer and other is heavy use 10 foot back shelf with fryers. this system has a maze of duct that all connects all of these together and goes up to a giant utility set fan that looks to be big enough to get inside, maybe 4 foot or so also they are very picky about safety looks like other company that got fired had harnesses! and seems that theirs lots of access panels installed everywhere for cleaning but didn't pull ceiling tile yet, just was informed. maybe total of 150 feet of ductwork or so I will get blue prints today. Last time cleaned Dec. Its due and the last crew took 3 days 3 part timers, Starting after 9PM and have to be out by 4AM. Thanks Mike Elmore

Here is where I would start.

Figure out why you can't use water, do they have duct leaking problem, or a water usage problem, and are they expecting you to clean by hand, to clean 150 feet of duct by hand you better have a ton of access panels, or be able to crawl through.
Check out the ductwork, see if it has the access panels and enough of them to do the job, don't be afraid to open a few. You never know what's on the other side unless you look.
Unless I am missing something, this doesn't sound like a three-day job. Do you know how much the other company was charging; maybe they strung it out to justify the money they were getting.
If you can, get some pictures and post them.

Why won't they let you use water? I would think that is a unreasonable solution to a problem. You must use water or the system will not be cleaned to NFPA 96 standards. Sure you can scrape all day, but the only way to get to bare metal is with water and chemicals. With a system of that size it would be impossible. I have one hospital that has a center shaft that is quite large and they have a company that uses harnesses and scrapes the center shaft and we clean the rest.

Ask questions and look at the access doors. The prints may be outdated and wrong as changed over the years. Map the system out and photo and think on it.

Are they asking that the unit be serviced at 180 days? The system is not waterwash right

Good luck

David

Ok I will get some pics, one thing I cant seem to figure out is how to get my pics to attach to this message? also will be talking with the enginer today and will get a permit to access the panels, only will allow this after everyone leaves! Just cant imagine that anyone could not use water, when I asked about the other company using they surprised me when they said that. One other thing the unit has several access panels and lots of homemade ones from a A/C company the look good and insulated but you just twist a lever and bam they open easy! and large panels just screwed in place with sheet metal and self tapping screws!!!! Not the UL type that I thought you have to use!!!!!!

By the way cleaning intervals are to be done every 90 days + some gravy work in between intervals.

I would tell them 180 days-90 days is a little much, after you get the system under control.

David

Hello Mike,

Some of the larger systems that we do took my crew leader and I most of one night just to inspect! Yes the system needs to be down and you will need keys or someone to go with you that has the keys. In our case these type of inspections have been very useful. Bottom line we got the business because we knew what we were talking about with the customers system.

Inspect the system, do your homework. If their system doesn't meet code Tell Them. Also try to offer suggestions to get the system serviced correctly!

Dave Olson

I am really curious why they won't allow you to use water.