Case Studies
Homeless Hostel
CS014 · Community Services · Homeless Hostel — Sydney
Case Study — CS014
Homeless Hostel (Indoor Air Quality)
Client: Homeless Hostel — Sydney | Sector: Community Services
Situation
A homeless hostel participated in a study measuring bio-burden levels found within buildings. The hostel occupied a 5 storey block in Sydney, catering to 400 homeless people daily, with only some choosing to bathe before using the dormitory.
The basement was used for receivables, food preparation, food storage, along with other services. The ground floor featured the reception, a communal dining area, office space, a hospital, as well as several lavatories.
Each floor had two HVAC Plant Rooms. The fresh air intakes were soiled by pigeon droppings and positioned in close proximity to roads with a high level of motor vehicle traffic.
The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) was often challenged by the occupants, where the ambient odour of the internal spaces masked the odour of cooked food in the kitchen.
Treatment
A baseline reading was taken prior to introducing SAN-AIR into the system. The Biotest RCS Air Sampler was used to collect airborne micro-organisms quantitatively onto a culture medium (agar strip). Once a baseline sample was taken, SAN-AIR 500g and 75g Gel packs were placed in the Plant Rooms.
Test Methodology
- 01Sampled agar strips are placed in an incubator set at 25°C for 24 hours, then 32°C for 48 hours.
- 02Colony forming units (CFU) are counted using the calculation: CFU/m³ = Colonies on Agar strip × 25.
- 03The SAN-AIR gel relies on air contact time — vapours evaporate and become mixed with the air stream, coming into contact with mould and microbes.
- 04Microbial tests were taken from three positions: Corridor, Lunch room, and Dormitory over a 10-week period.
Result
- Significant reduction in Colony Forming Units (CFU) across all three test positions
- All positions brought below the AS/NZS 3666.4 standard of 1,000 CFU
- Several employees reported they were no longer getting chest infections from working at the Hostel
- Bad odours were removed from the indoor environment
Conclusion
The introduction of SAN-AIR led to a reduction of airborne contaminants. This efficacy study highlights that SAN-AIR helped to address health and safety issues, remove liability risk from poor IAQ, meet indoor air quality microbial count guidelines as per AS/NZS 3666 1-4, and remove bad odours.
Results show that SAN-AIR was effective in addressing contamination in the air systems which is a major source of respiratory infection triggers. Several employees approached the SAN-AIR team towards the end of the test period, voluntarily sharing that they were no longer getting chest infections from working at the Hostel.
