All You Need To Know About UVC
Explore technical guidance, industry standards, regulatory requirements and peer-reviewed research relating to UVC, HVAC hygiene, indoor air quality and microbial control.
We've selected resources from leading industry organisations, government agencies, international standards bodies and peer-reviewed scientific journals to help building owners, engineers, HVAC professionals, facilities managers and consultants make informed decisions about indoor air quality and UVC technology.
UVC & HVAC Fundamentals
ASHRAE Handbook - Ultraviolet Air & Surface Treatment
ASHRAE's technical guidance on the application of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) for air and surface treatment. The chapter covers UVC fundamentals, microbial inactivation, UV dose, in-duct HVAC applications, cooling-coil treatment, biofilm control, system design and safety considerations.
Best for: Engineers, HVAC professionals, consultants and facilities managers.
[View ASHRAE Handbook — Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment →]
ASHRAE Handbook - Germicidal UV Lamp Systems
A detailed technical reference covering the fundamentals, application and safe use of germicidal ultraviolet systems. The chapter addresses UVC technology, microbial inactivation, UV dose, lamp systems, air-handling units, duct applications, cooling-coil treatment, maintenance, material compatibility and safety.
Best for: Engineers, HVAC professionals, consultants, building designers and facilities managers.
ASHRAE — Debunking UVGI Myths
An accessible ASHRAE resource exploring common misconceptions surrounding ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. It discusses how UVGI can be incorporated into HVAC systems, its role in microbial control and biofouling, and the importance of appropriate system design.
Best for: Building owners, facilities managers, HVAC professionals and anyone looking for an independent introduction to UVGI.
ASHRAE Position Document — Filtration and Air Cleaning
ASHRAE's position document provides independent technical guidance on filtration and air-cleaning technologies used to manage airborne contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and other bioaerosols. It considers UV-C alongside other air-cleaning technologies and highlights the importance of selecting systems appropriate to the application.
Best for: Engineers, consultants, facilities managers, building owners and HVAC professionals.
Standards & Testing
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 185.1 — UV-C Testing in Air-Handling Units and Air Ducts
ASHRAE Standard 185.1 establishes a laboratory test method for evaluating the ability of UV-C lights used in air-handling units and air ducts to inactivate airborne microorganisms. The standard covers test microorganisms, bioaerosol generation, upstream and downstream sampling, performance calculations and reporting.
Best for: Engineers, HVAC designers, consultants, manufacturers and technical professionals.
[View ASHRAE Standard 185.1 →]
Note: The full standard is available through ASHRAE and may require purchase or subscription.
ISO 15714:2019 — In-Duct UVGI Dose Evaluation
ISO 15714 provides a laboratory method for evaluating the UV dose delivered to airborne microorganisms passing through in-duct ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systems. The standard considers test conditions, microorganisms, airflow rates, UV dose calculations and performance evaluation.
Best for: Engineers, HVAC designers, consultants and UVC system designers.
Note: ISO 15714:2019 is currently published, with a second edition under development.
ASHRAE Standard 241 — Control of Infectious Aerosols
ASHRAE Standard 241 establishes minimum requirements for reducing the risk of infectious aerosol transmission in new and existing buildings. It addresses building operation, ventilation and air-cleaning strategies, including the design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of air-cleaning systems.
Best for: Engineers, building owners, facilities managers, healthcare professionals and indoor air quality specialists.
AS/NZS 3666.1 — Microbial Control: Design, Installation & Commissioning
AS/NZS 3666.1 specifies minimum requirements for the design, installation and commissioning of air-handling and water systems in buildings for the purpose of microbial control.
This standard is particularly relevant to HVAC professionals, engineers and facilities managers involved in the design and commissioning of building air-handling systems.
Best for: HVAC engineers, mechanical contractors, consultants and facilities managers.
Note: The standard is copyright protected. AirTech does not reproduce the standard; this link directs users to the relevant information provider.
AS/NZS 3666.2 — Microbial Control: Operation & Maintenance
AS/NZS 3666.2 specifies minimum requirements for the operation and maintenance of air-handling and water systems for microbial control. It provides guidance relevant to maintaining HVAC systems and managing microorganisms associated with building services.
Best for: Facilities managers, HVAC contractors, building owners and maintenance professionals.
Note: The standard is copyright protected. AirTech does not reproduce the standard; this link directs users to the relevant information provider.
New Zealand Building Standards
NZ Building Code — G4 Ventilation
Clause G4 of the New Zealand Building Code establishes requirements for ventilation within buildings, including adequate outdoor air, mechanical ventilation and the control of contaminants.
G4 is particularly relevant to indoor air quality, HVAC design and the operation and maintenance of mechanical air-handling systems.
Best for: Building owners, engineers, architects, HVAC professionals, consultants and facilities managers.
G4.3.2 — Mechanical Air-Handling Systems & Microbial Control
G4.3.2 of the New Zealand Building Code states that mechanical air-handling systems must be constructed and maintained in a manner that prevents harmful bacteria, pathogens and allergens from multiplying within them.
This performance requirement is particularly relevant to the design, maintenance and microbial control of mechanical HVAC systems.
[Read G4.3.2 in the current G4/AS1 →]
Important: G4.3.2 does not require UVC specifically. UVC is one technology that may be incorporated into an HVAC system as part of a broader microbial-control and maintenance strategy.
G4/AS1 — Fifth Edition
G4/AS1 Fifth Edition provides an Acceptable Solution for demonstrating compliance with the ventilation performance requirements of Clause G4 of the New Zealand Building Code. It covers natural, mechanical and combined ventilation systems and applies across a range of residential and commercial building applications.
Current version: Effective from 28 July 2025.
Best for: Engineers, architects, building designers, HVAC professionals and compliance professionals.
Healthcare & Infection Control
CDC/NIOSH — Upper-Room UVGI Guidelines for Healthcare Settings
This CDC/NIOSH technical guidance examines the design, installation, operation and maintenance of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systems in healthcare settings. It provides practical guidance for healthcare managers, facility designers, engineers and occupational health professionals.
While focused on upper-room UVGI rather than in-duct systems, it provides an authoritative reference for the application and safe use of germicidal ultraviolet technology in healthcare environments.
Best for: Healthcare facilities, engineers, infection-control professionals, facilities managers and building designers.
ASHRAE Standard 170 — Ventilation of Health Care Facilities
ASHRAE Standard 170 establishes ventilation system design requirements intended to provide environmental control in healthcare facilities. It addresses ventilation rates, airflow relationships, filtration and other HVAC considerations specific to healthcare environments.
Best for: Healthcare engineers, mechanical consultants, facility managers, architects and healthcare project teams.
[Learn more about ASHRAE Standard 170 →]
Note: The current standard and applicable addenda should be checked through ASHRAE before using it for project specifications.
CDC/NIOSH — Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV)
A current CDC/NIOSH overview of germicidal ultraviolet technology, including how GUV can be used as part of a layered approach to reducing exposure to airborne pathogens. The resource discusses both upper-room and in-duct applications and emphasises the importance of appropriate design, installation and commissioning.
Best for: Building owners, facilities managers, schools, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities and HVAC professionals.
Peer-Reviewed Research
We've selected peer-reviewed research examining the application of UVC in HVAC systems, cooling coils, air-handling units and occupied environments.
These studies provide independent scientific evidence relating to microbial inactivation, biofilm control, cooling-coil performance, UV dose and the application of germicidal ultraviolet technology.
In-Duct UVC & Airborne Microorganisms
Disinfection Efficacy of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation on Airborne Bacteria in Ventilation Ducts
A full-scale study investigating the effectiveness of UVGI against airborne bacteria within ventilation ductwork. The research examines the influence of UV intensity, airflow and exposure conditions on microbial inactivation.
Relevant to: In-duct UVC, HVAC design, microbial inactivation and UV dose.
UVC & Cooling Coil Performance
Field Measurement and Modeling of UVC Cooling Coil Irradiation — Part 1: Field Measurements
Field research examining UVC treatment of cooling coils in operating air-handling units. The study investigates the relationship between UVC treatment, coil fouling and HVAC performance under real-world operating conditions.
Relevant to: Cooling-coil hygiene, biofouling, HVAC performance and maintenance.
UVC, Energy & Economics
Field Measurement and Modeling of UVC Cooling Coil Irradiation — Part 2: Energy, IAQ & Economic Modelling
The second part of the research examines the potential energy, indoor air quality, maintenance and economic implications of UVC treatment of cooling coils.
Relevant to: Energy performance, HVAC maintenance, lifecycle costs and commercial UVC applications.
UVC & HVAC Biofilm Control
Ultraviolet Germicidal Coil Cleaning — Decreased Surface Microbial Loading
Research investigating the effect of UVC treatment on microbial loading at cooling-coil surfaces. The study provides evidence relevant to the use of UVC for continuous microbial control within HVAC systems.
Relevant to: Biofilm, cooling coils, HVAC hygiene and microbial control.
UVC & Heat Transfer Performance
Ultraviolet Germicidal Coil Cleaning — Impact on Heat Transfer Effectiveness and Static Pressure Drop
Experimental research investigating the effect of UVC treatment on cooling-coil heat-transfer effectiveness and static pressure drop under controlled conditions.
Relevant to: HVAC performance, cooling coils, heat transfer and energy efficiency.
UVC in Healthcare Environments
Cleaning the Air with Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Lessened Contact Infections in a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
A hospital-based study investigating the impact of UVGI on airborne bacterial concentrations and infection-related outcomes in a long-term acute care environment.
Relevant to: Healthcare, infection control, airborne microorganisms and hospital environments.
Recent Research — UVC in HVAC Ducts
Performance Evaluation of Monochromatic and Combined GUV Wavelengths for Airborne E. coli Inactivation in an HVAC Duct
Recent experimental research examining germicidal UV wavelengths, including 254 nm, for airborne microbial inactivation in an HVAC duct environment. The study investigates the relationship between wavelength, particle characteristics and microbial inactivation.
Relevant to: UVC wavelength, HVAC design, airborne microorganisms and UV performance.
A Note About Research & Standards
The resources provided above are intended for educational and technical reference purposes. Research findings vary depending on system design, UV dose, wavelength, airflow, exposure time, microorganism, environmental conditions and other factors.
UVC should be considered as part of a broader indoor air quality and HVAC management strategy and does not replace appropriate ventilation, filtration, cleaning, maintenance or other building controls.
For project-specific applications, AirTech can assist with UVC system selection, site assessment and HVAC integration.
