Protect your property from fires.
PROTEK   dryer vent cleaning.

Dryer fires are devastating and costly, but reducing the risk is simple.

• The Risk

  Dryer lint is exceptionably flammable… more flammable than paper. Dryer fire incidence is higher in the fall and winter months, peaking in January. In 2010, NFPA estimated that there were 15,450 dryer fires which resulted in about 50 civilian deaths and 380 civilian injuries.

• The Cause

  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), clothes dryers (aka dryers) are a leading cause of fires. “Failure to clean” dryer vents has been cited as the number one cause of dryer fires.

• The Cost

  Dryer fires cause more than $236 million in direct property damage annually according to the NFPA. In some cases, insurance companies have canceled policies after paying a fire claim, forcing clients to pay considerably more to secure new insurance through high-risk programs. Moreover, facilities that house the elderly or infirmed persons are typically held to higher standards. Avoid costly insurance claims and loss of revenues, as well as potential wrongful death liability suits from families for loss of loved ones, by investing in dryer vent cleaning.

Our Best Practice Approach

1. Setup

   At the kickoff of any project, workers review the Work Orders, survey the site, review safety concerns, and then begin to stage equipment.

2. Minimize Disruption

   To minimize disruption of any customers who need dryers, PROTEK temporarily blocks off only the dryers that are associated with the specific exhausts that are about to be cleaned. In cases where each pocket (which typically contains two stacked dryers) has a dedicated exhaust, this means less than four (4) pockets at any given time – two pockets that are being cleaned and two that are about to be cleaned so that customers don’t slow down the process by putting items in those dryers.

3. Create Access Points

   To enable insertion of the cleaning apparatus, if Access Points don’t already exist, access cuts are made as and where needed.

4. Photographical Documentation

   To show the initial condition of dryer exhausts, workers take before pictures.

5. HEPA Filtration

   To create negative pressure, and to ensure a safe environment, PROTEK uses a very powerful HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filtration Collector System. As needed, PROTEK blocks off trunk lines or other sections to make sure negative pressure can be maintained.

6. Remove Debris

   Adhering to the NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) recommended Level 1 methodology, PROTEK utilizes cable brushes to agitate debris. PROTEK then uses powerful HEPA negative air equipment to clean debris from the ductwork, move it forward to the HEPA Filtration Collector System, and remove it from the ductwork.

7. Crawl Inside Ductwork

   Wherever practicable, PROTEK workers also crawl inside ductwork, as this is the most effective method of cleaning. In addition, our team may utilize cable brushes, with or without compressed air lines, to clean and blast the debris to the HEPA collector.

8. Photographical Documentation

   Upon the completion of each section, workers take after pictures. This is a best and serves as proof that that the work was completed.

9. Sealing

   Associated access cuts are sealed with high-quality foil tape, patches, plugs, or Access Doors.

10. Section Completion

    PROTEK informs the on-site client representative that the section is complete and lets them know which section is next so that the client may unblock completed dryers and block the next section(s).

11. Lint Removal

    Depending on unique site situations, PROTEK determines if and when the following work is performed:

    • Removing built up lint from the tops and backs of dryers
    • Removing built up lint from other surfaces such as beams, duct exteriors, etc.
    • Sweeping floors
    • Removing built up lint from exterior areas including rooftops
12. Final Inspection Walkthrough

    Once all scoped areas have been cleaned, workers review the Work Order and perform a final inspection walkthrough. This ensures everything has been completed to PROTEK ’s high standards of quality and thoroughness.

13. Clean Up

    The final step is to clean up and leave the site as good (if not better) than when PROTEK first arrived.