Air Diffusion Agencies develops diffuser to combat COVID-19
An Adelaide manufacturer has responded to the COVID-19 health crisis by developing a new air diffuser to protect patients and front-line healthcare workers from harmful bacteria and viruses.
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An Adelaide-based manufacturer of air-conditioning components has developed a new product to protect COVID-19 patients and front-line healthcare workers from harmful bacteria and viruses found in the air.
The room pressure control unit is an air diffuser developed by Welland-based Air Diffusion Agencies (ADA) to remove harmful airborne particles from recirculating air.
Air passes through a three-stage filtration system to reach a high dust removal level known as “absolute filter”.
ADA has supplied Flinders Medical Centre with eight room pressure control units, specifically for COVID-19 ICU departments, with a further six on order.
The portable “fan and filter” unit can be moved to different rooms, and acts to mimic an isolation room but at a lower cost than an entire air-conditioning system.
ADA founder and managing director Bill Threadgold said the product could be easily integrated into existing systems and was very quiet, which is important in a hospital setting.
“The COVID model works without disturbing a hospital’s air-conditioning system by recycling air back into a room, and is based on a similar model we designed, manufactured and supplied during the SARS outbreak in 2007,” he said.
“It’s much quieter, allowing patients to sleep, and it can be fitted in any hospital room, consulting room or small wards.”
Mr Threadgold said the small, portable system could be manufactured quickly, supporting any unexpected or sudden increase in demand prompted by a new wave of COVID-19 cases or other virus.
“The South Australian-designed and built unit has the potential to be used widely in Australia and internationally, particularly in hospitals with multiple patients suffering from COVID-19 or from other airborne viruses,” he said.
Mr Threadgold established his company more than 30 years ago, and together with partner Rhonda Cooling, has turned it into one of the biggest businesses of its kind in Australia.
The business started by wholesaling products and supplying the trade with components and air-conditioning parts – and then it began manufacturing through its own sheet metal shops and making aluminium grilles.
It now employs 150 people across four sites in South Australia, and 60 additional staff interstate, with offices in Brisbane and Darwin.
BankSA has been a long-term supporter of ADA, and chief executive Nick Reade said the company had responded quickly to the health care industry’s need for innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are working with businesses who have the capacity to rise to the ongoing challenges we face, and help them accelerate activity and grow into new markets and opportunities,” he said.
“Businesses are dealing with heightened uncertainty - however we believe that businesses, and SMEs in particular, can play a big role in leading the economic recovery.”