State Agency of Alabama

All Projects

• Access 40 Government Buildings
• Install Air Purifying Systems
• Improve Air Quality & Reduce VOCs

PROJECT DETAILS

• Client: State Agency of Alabama
• Mechanical Contactor: Star Service of Mobile, AL
• Industry: Government
• Category: Office Building
• Gross Square Footage: 500,000 Square Feet
• Completed: June 2020 

BACKGROUND

Star Service, a Fidelity Building Services Group® company, is the leading HVAC service provider throughout the entire Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida.

After several COVID-19 outbreaks, and in an effort to improve building air quality, a State Agency of Alabama retained Star Service to assess 40 government buildings and install air purifying systems.

This unprecedented project of size and magnitude had a short turnaround time of just 30 days and required Star Service to analyze each building to determine the best course of action and appropriate equipment that would meet the objectives and timeframe of the client. 

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this project was to install bipolar ionization technology that would improve air quality and reduce detrimental containments, including harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pathogens, viruses, and allergens. Bipolar ionization technology is one of the most effective systems for continuously cleaning and decontaminating indoor air and has been proven to be effective against viruses like COVID-19.

The success of the project was important, as this was the first undertaking of the State to address air quality as it pertains to COVID-19 in government buildings. The results of this project would determine future actions for other buildings in need of these services.

SOLUTIONS

Star Service carefully reviewed each building and worked closely with its manufacturing partners to put together a plan that would best serve each building. This included reviewing the HVAC equipment specifications on each air handler unit (AHU), such as evaporator coil sizes and cubic feet per minute (CFM) ratings. CFM ratings are a measurement of airflow volume determined by how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. 

Star Service was already familiar with this technology, as it had been installing it in other buildings to help manage humidity and mold issues. Its familiarity with the product and how effective it is in improving air quality allowed Star Service to move quickly on the project. 

In order to meet the timeframe, Star Service doubled up manpower by deploying two-person crews at each job site. In an effort to not disturb those still working in these spaces, Star Service had to take into consideration how to complete the project in rooms where the equipment sat directly over someone’s work area.

COVID-19 also presented on-site challenges for the crew, leading Star Service to enhance its safety measures, including social distancing and mandatory masking. While securing product could have been a problem, as it was for many contractors during this pandemic, Star Service was able to obtain all necessary equipment in a timely and costly manner because of its economies, scale, and relationship with the manufacturer. To this day, Star Service’s expertise allows it the ability to leverage relationships where it can more easily access product and meet the urgent needs of clients looking to address air quality. 

EQUIPMENT

• (235) Needle-Point Bipolar Ionization AHU Mounted Devices 

RESULTS

The project’s results exceeded client expectations, as the majority of the buildings showed a 99% reduction in harmful particulates, including VOCs, pathogens, viruses, and allergens. The client also commended Star Service for its proactiveness, diligence and technical excellence in helping them meet their goals for occupancy safety.