Author: Luke W Daly, Cathy Jim, Ashveen Jeetun
07 July 2025
The Pathogens Management Train (PMT) is a comprehensive framework designed to identify and mitigate the transmission of pathogens across all stages of the public health engineering cycle. It addresses vulnerabilities not only in water supply but also in drainage systems—often overlooked in conventional design. The PMT consists of seven critical stages where pathogen exposure can occur: (Stage 1) Source, (Stage 2) Storage, (Stage 3) Distribution, (Stage 4) Use, (Stage 5) Traps, (Stage 6) Drainage, and (Stage 7) Recycling or Outfall. By applying targeted interventions at each of these stages, the PMT helps create safer, healthier building environments and supports infection control strategies across various sectors. PMT Stage 6 addresses contamination risks throughout the drainage and vent stack system, with a special focus on inter-floor cross-contamination, dry traps, and pressure fluctuations. This is where the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender could play a critical and direct role.
The NCCO Defender eliminates sewer gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and aerosolized pathogens before they exit the vent stack. This is crucial in buildings where vent outlets are near air intakes, windows, or rooftop recreational areas. The system prevents the spread of infectious aerosols into upper-level mechanical systems and the recirculation of pathogens into building interiors through HVAC or stack-induced flow reversals.
In addition to its applications in buildings, the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender can also play a vital role in pumping stations, sewage interceptors, and other below-ground utility structures that require dedicated ventilation. These systems often generate significant amounts of foul air, including sewer gases and aerosolized pathogens, which must be safely vented. This is normally done through long vertical vent pipes routed to the roof or upper levels. This extended venting not only increases installation complexity and cost, but also creates potential points of contamination, especially near occupied areas or air intakes. By installing the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender at the vent termination point, it becomes possible to neutralize harmful emissions at source, allowing for shorter venting routes or placement in more accessible locations without compromising air quality or hygiene standards. This makes the NCCO system a cost-effective, safe, and maintenance-friendly alternative for odour and pathogen control in utility infrastructure, while also supporting the goals of PMT Stage 6 by minimizing cross-contamination and exposure risks from centralized drainage, interceptors and pumping installations.
How the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender by RHT Industries Improves Air Quality, Hygiene, and Virus Control in Buildings?
In today’s health-conscious world, indoor air quality, hygiene, and infection control are top priorities, especially in densely populated or high-risk environments like hospitals, hotels, and commercial buildings. One often-overlooked source of contamination is the building’s plumbing vent system. The NCCO Vent Pipe Defender, developed by RHT, provides a revolutionary solution to this problem using advanced NCCO technology.
Understanding the Risk: Contaminants from Plumbing Vents
Ventilation pipes in drainage systems play a vital role in balancing pressure and expelling sewer gases. However, they can also act as unintentional exhaust points for harmful pollutants, such as:
- Sewer gases (hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia)
- Aerosolized bacteria and viruses
- Foul odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These emissions can spread into the building or surrounding air, compromising air quality and posing health risks, especially when vent stacks are near air intakes, windows, or shared HVAC systems.
The NCCO Advantage: What Sets This System Apart
Developed by RHT, the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender is an innovative, passive air purification system installed on plumbing vent stacks. It incorporates Nano Confined Catalytic Oxidation (NCCO), a patented air treatment technology proven in medical, industrial, and commercial environments.
What is NCCO?
Nano Confined Catalytic Oxidation (NCCO) is an advanced air purification technology that eliminates pathogens in drainage vent systems through a continuous catalytic oxidation process. As contaminated air passes through the NCCO core, a specialized catalyst within nano-scale porous structures generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that break down the cell walls, proteins, and genetic material of bacteria, viruses, and other bioaerosols. This effectively destroys the pathogens and converts them into harmless byproducts such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. Unlike traditional filters that merely trap contaminants, NCCO neutralizes them at the molecular level, providing a passive, maintenance-friendly, and long-lasting solution for improving hygiene and preventing airborne disease transmission in building drainage systems.
Key Benefits of the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender
1. Air Purification at the Source
The NCCO core actively neutralizes a wide range of airborne pollutants before they can escape from the vent pipe. This includes:
- Odors
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- VOC emissions
By stopping contamination at the vent outlet, the system significantly improves outdoor and indoor air quality—especially important in densely built environments.
2. Virus and Pathogen Containment
During outbreaks, viruses can be transmitted via aerosols from infected occupants, which can travel through drainage and vent systems. The NCCO Vent Pipe Defender acts as a barrier to virus spread, reducing the risk of airborne transmission through:
- Neutralization of aerosolized pathogens
- Reduction of cross-contamination between floors or rooms
- Enhanced infection control protocols in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
3. Improved Building Hygiene
By neutralizing the output of harmful gases and microbes, the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender elevates a building’s overall hygiene standard:
- Supports compliance with health, safety, and LEED air quality standards
- Prevents unpleasant odours in outdoor areas and mechanical rooms
- Reduces reliance on chemical air fresheners or odour-masking products
4. Passive and Maintenance-Friendly
Unlike mechanical systems, the NCCO Vent Pipe Defender is a passive device with minimal maintenance requirements. The NCCO cartridge has a long service life and can be easily replaced during routine inspections, making it a cost-effective solution for large facilities and multi-story buildings.
5. Protection Against Backdraft and Negative Pressure
Certain weather conditions or HVAC system imbalances can lead to sewer gas backdraft, allowing contaminated air to re-enter the building. The NCCO Vent Pipe Defender includes non-return mechanisms to prevent reverse flow and maintain clean airflow.
Applications Across Industries
The NCCO Vent Pipe Defender is suitable for a wide range of buildings and sectors, including:
- Hospitals and Clinics
- Hotels and Resorts
- Schools and Universities
- Commercial and Office Towers
- Residential High-Rises
- Public Institutions
It’s especially useful in buildings with shared drainage systems, where hygiene and infection control are critical across multiple tenants or departments.
Final Thoughts
The NCCO Vent Pipe Defender by RHT Industries Ltd represents a transformative approach to air purification and hygiene in building drainage systems. By using proven NCCO technology, it not only improves air quality and odour control but also plays a vital role in reducing the risk of disease transmission and enhancing building health standards.
As regulations tighten and public health expectations evolve, upgrading your vent system with NCCO is no longer just a smart choice, but it’s a responsible one.
Visit us at pmt-me.com to explore our growing repository of research, technical articles, product reviews, and expert interviews. We look forward to your feedback and to continuing the conversation about the future of public health engineering.