This is the next to highest level, with Alert Level 5 meaning an eruption is already happening. For several months after an ashfall, filters may need replacing often. The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday released guidelines on how to cope with ashfall following the phreatic explosion at the Taal Volcano. If you go and take the option of getting the air outside, your car can absorb the haze from outside and it can damage both the aircon of your car and the health of the people inside it. Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Apart from tourism volcanic ash affects far more people than any other aspect of a volcanic eruption. by manilabulletin_admin. The hot, humid summer conditions that make you want to crank the air conditioner also create the ideal conditions for thunderstorms. This actually is one of the best tips anyone can take if they’re traveling during an ashfall. Low voltage systems more vulnerable than high. The effects on infrastructure can be very damaging. An appliance manufacturer, the one behind some “aircon” brands in the Philippines, answered the frequently asked question amid the Taal Volcano eruption; Concepcion Industrial Corporation informed the public that “it is all right to use air conditioners” during light ashfall; However, a household must refrain from using the appliances in the event of heavy ashfall To avoid possible health risks, TMP recommends to refrain from using air conditioning system to prevent outside air from coming in. The resulting spew of ash from the volcano has reached parts of Metro Manila, with the Department of Health issuing an advisory on the health effects of ashfall. Driving will stir up ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles. January 12, 2020 ; 4 Crack in … GUIDELINES ON PREPAREDNESS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER AN ASHFALL. Minor damage to houses will occur if fine ash enters buildings, soiling interiors, blocking air-conditioning filters, etc. AFTER AN ASHFALL EVENT. Avoid driving in heavy ashfall. Keep your car or truck engine switched off. The term volcanic ash is also often loosely used to refer to all explosive eruption products (correctly referred to as tephra), including particles larger than 2 mm. The severity of ash intrusion depends on the integrity of windows and entrances, the air intake features, and the care exercised to control the transport of ash into a building or home via shoes and clothing. If you have to drive, keep the car windows up and do not operate the air conditioning system. NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) collaborate with VAACs and other state and federal agencies to issue ashfall advisories and warnings. Air filter must also be cleaned if vehicle is driven in areas affected by ash fall. Avoid driving in heavy ashfall. A volcanic ashfall can cause electricity outages and issues with power supply. As of this writing, the Philippine Insitute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) placed Taal Volcano on Alert Level 4 following its January 12 eruption. According to a January 13 update from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST), the ashfall has affected the areas of … Should you really need to use your Air Conditioning units, kindly be advised to wait until the ashfall decreases, then clean the area where your condenser is located before you resume air conditioner operation. What to do during an ash fall Stay indoors; Close windows and doors. If you do have to drive, keep the car windows up and do not operate the air conditioning system. Continued use during HEAVY ash fall will clog your AC unit’s outdoor condenser coil, which will result [in] the overheating of the compressor and the overall air conditioning system,” they added. The company also advised the public to remain indoors and to have their air conditioning units cleaned after the ashfall. The ongoing eruption of the Taal volcano, which started on Sunday, January 12, 2020, has caused ashfall to spread in several areas, including Calabarzon and Metro Manila. Stay indoors or in a car as much as possible (especially if you have breathing problems like asthma or bronchitis). Electricity may be cut; ash shorting occurs at substations if the ash is wet and therefore conductive. Let us look at what volcanic ash is, the many ways it can impact our lives and the steps we can take to protect ourselves. This time of the year the temp is around 60’s in am and 70’s during late evening [80’s to 100 during the day]. Stop ash entering the building Keep your car or truck engine switched off. Safety Tips For You And Your Car During Ashfall 6 min. Also, fill large containers, sinks, and bathtubs with clean water since eruptions can cause disruptions or contamination of water supplies. will be able to travel during and immediately after ashfall. Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy learning to survive on his own after the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts. Avoid running air conditioning systems, fans, and heaters during or immediately after an eruption, since they can pull in volcanic gasses and ash. I usually open the door in am and use a big fan to blow the air inside to out side or out side to inside alternatively. During and after ashfall Stay indoors as much as possible. looking after electronics following an ashfall). read By eCompareMo on January 13, 2020. Volcanic Ash. A more detailed list of tips for car owners during ashfall January 13, 2020 ; 3 Is it safe to use my car’s air-conditioning during heavy ashfall? With the electricity out, the sun hidden behind a cloud of ash, an Ashfall was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Tanglewood. By Gabriela Baron. The management of the Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2 (LRT-2) on Monday announced that it would shut off its air-conditioning system amid the ashfall … Listed below is general information about protecting yourself and your home from the effects of ashfall. This document has been prepared by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN), Cities and Volcanoes Commission, GNS Science and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to promote the safety of those who experience volcanic ashfall. Volcanic ashfall can be damaging and disruptive to critical infrastructure including electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks, drinking-water and wastewater treatment plants, roads, airports and communications networks. If you have to go outside: wear goggles to protect your eyes; if you usually wear contacts, wear glasses instead, as ash can get stuck in your contacts and scratch your eyes Therefore, use of emergency power generation equipment (Generator Sets or GenSets) may be necessary. There is growing evidence that a range of preparedness and mitigation strategies can reduce ashfall impacts for critical infrastructure organisations. Health experts say if you are sensitive to the smoke in the air from the wildfires or need to be outdoors for a long time, you should wear the proper mask to filter out the smoke. Finally, air-conditioners have been identified as a significant vulnerability during ashfall, due to the high dependence on cooling for infrastructure and lifelines providers. Use an N-95 mask to reduce exposure to ash if you need to be outside and especially during cleanup. Switch off the main power supply to the machine before carrying out this operation. Continued use with heavy ashfall will result in the clogging of the outdoor condenser coil, which in turn will cause overheating of the compressor and overall airconditioning system. Air intakes on generators are vulnerable to airborne ash and need to be protected. Roads near the volcano may be impassable until cleared. People have asked whether air-con units were safe to use even with the volcanic ash from Taal Volcano reaching Metro Manila and other Central and Northern Luzon provinces. Actions to Take Before, During and After an Event Read: Free … Operating the air conditioning system will bring in outside air and ash. Driving will stir up ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles. Water supplies may be cut or limited due to failure of electricity to pumps. Listen to the radio for civil defence advice and follow instructions If outside at the time of eruption, seek shelter in a car or a building. Volcanic ash consists of fragments of rock, minerals, and volcanic glass, created during volcanic eruptions and measuring less than 2 mm (0.079 inches) in diameter. THE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reminded the public to remain vigilant and cautious as ashfall is currently being experienced in light of Taal Volcano’s escalated eruptive activity. Operating your air conditioner during a thunderstorm can lead to some damage to your unit, so it’s best to shut it down when the weather starts acting up. These are examined to quantify the effects of ashfall on their performance. Care should also be taken to avoid further contamination during the emptying, cleaning, and maintenance of vacuum equipment. Phoenix residents, especially those who are new, often contact us after a strong monsoon asking if the dust storm could have affected their air conditioning units. Drink plenty of liquids and treat congestion or irritation. Published January 12, 2020, 12:00 AM. A series of specialist posters has been prepared for infrastructure and urban managers. Operating the air conditioning system will bring in outside air and ash. Air conditioner and furnace filters need careful attention. Clean refrigerator air intakes. The great news is that your air conditioning unit isn’t usually bothered too much, considering the fact that air conditioners are designed and built to function in the outdoors where dust storms, heat and strong winds hit. DOH advises public to stay indoors, wear dust masks against ashfall. After ashfall, affected airports must be closed until ash is removed because of its hazard to jet engines. With Mount Mayon continuously spewing lava and ash in the last few days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has released some guidelines on what to do before, during and after the ash fall brought by volcanic eruptions. Use of the aircon system in ash fall conditions may pose some risks. Aircon Use During Taal Volcano Eruption Parents are wondering whether it’s advisable to run their aircon while they stay indoors.