Cleaning Commercial Dryer Vents

The primary issue when it comes to commercial (or residential) dryer vent cleaning is fire safety. Commercial dryers are routinely over-taxed to support extensive washing and plugged vents (with highly flammable lint) in commercial, industrial and institutional facilities are extremely vulnerable. In residential dryers, often the homeowner is lax in checking periodically for proper venting – so fire safety is put at risk!

Too often, a significant hotel blaze causes fire, smoke, and water damage, forcing the facility’s closure. Many times fire officials attribute the fires to commercial dryers that are used to dry towels or sheets overnight. Even if the fire is contained within the laundry room, the smoke and water damage affect the entire facility.

Dryer vent fires cause a substantial number of damages, injuries, and deaths annually, and there are approximately 15,000 structure fires, hundreds of injuries, and more than a dozen deaths reported each year due to dryer vent fires. What is surprising is that half of all commercial dryer vent fires start from within the lint trap. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states there are an average of 3,700 structure fires at hotel or motel properties annually, causing $127 million in damage. Of those fires, 10% are clothes dryer and washer related. The statistical percentages grow in industrial and manufacturing properties along with other commercial environments. Even though the percentage is lower in residential environments, the damage and injury numbers are huge.

Every year clothes dryer fires account for over $100 million in losses, according to the United States Fire Administration. Also, dryer fires involving commercial dryer vents have a 78% higher injury rate than residential dryer fires.

A majority of commercial dryer vent fires occur as a result of highly flammable lint getting caught in the dryer duct and becoming heated to the point of ignition. Most commercial dryers come with lint traps, or filters, designed to capture the lint, yet only 70% is typically collected. The remainder sticks to the duct work and piping. Lint and other debris builds up over time so it is not ever safe to pretend that emptying the filter regularly is adequate to protect your property from a dryer vent fire.

Did you know Dryer Vent Cleaning:

• can save you money on monthly energy costs.
• allows laundered items dry more quickly and evenly.
• limits mold, mildew and other bacteria in your dryer vent ductwork.
• creates peace of mind by eliminating a potential fire hazard.

Signs you need commercial dryer vent cleaning if:

• there is an accumulation of lint or debris on the external vent
• it takes more than one drying cycle to dry one load
• the dryer is hot to the touch indicating it is overheating
• the laundered items have a “musty” odor after being in the dryer

When a dryer vent is clogged, airflow is reduced and dryers are forced to work harder. This means the air travelling through the ductwork and vents gets hotter and does not dry effectively, causing shortened lifespan of your appliance and higher energy consumption. Call Water Extraction Team today for help of dryer vent cleaning.

Save money, reduce fire hazards and prevent business interruption with complete dryer vent cleaning.

Author: Dick Wagner