15th June 2020

SUCCESSFUL UV LIGHTING TRIAL

If you missed it, we’ve been getting a bit germicidal over here. With the pandemic in full swing, our engineers weren’t sitting at home knitting and baking bread. At least, that’s not all they were doing. They designed ultraviolet ceiling lights that kill viruses dead.

And this week, Gangi Germicidal Systems – our partners in this endeavour – bravely volunteered to be the first trial guinea pigs. We tested the UV lights at a trial site in their Melbourne space. It was a success. Viruses slayed and sunburns avoided.

UV GERMICIDAL IRRADIATION – GOING THE DISTANCE

Our engineers ran simulation after simulation to determine accurate lighting intensity and run times for the Gangi space – sort of our version of iso video games. The calculations used came from a recent Princeton/UCLA study that measured the kill rate of COVID-19 on multiple surfaces using UV light.

Simulations complete, Gangi commissioned the system to detect occupancy to make it safe. We then brought this Frankenstein to life, and lit it up. Five sample dosimeter readings (measurements of light intensity) found that our simulated estimates hit within the 5% range of actual results for the Gangi space. (We just patted ourselves on the back.)

Now, this two-part process – simulations followed by on-site testing – will always be the norm with this system. This isn’t a buy it and drive it off the lot scenario. We will customise each system for maximum murder, er, kill rate, of viruses to each space. Then, qualified installers (Gangi Germicidal Systems) will install and test the system on site.

CHILD-PROOFING SAFETY MEASURES

Let’s talk safety precautions. Is UV light dangerous? Absolutely. We’re talking about harnessing the power of the sun here, people. But our ceiling lights remove the risk associated with handheld devices. A fully automated system minimizes the chance of human error.

That system also tested as a success at Gangi. (No, we didn’t just toss the lights in there with aloe on standby.) Here’s the breakdown of how all safety precautions behaved as they should:

1. The UV-C lighting system controlled the timing of operation. The lights were set to run when the space was empty.
2. Prior to activation, the system checked the room for occupancy and locked the doors to halt later entry.
3. During operation, signage outside the room indicated that a UV light disinfection cycle was running. If the doors unlocked during the cycle, or any motion was detected within the space, the system immediately shut down.

FOLLOW THE (ULTRAVIOLET) LIGHT

All safety precautions behaved as they should with the Gangi trial. Attested to by the fact that no Gangi team members are sporting tans in this beautiful Melbourne winter.

Next up on the block is CORNERBLOCK (did you like that?) in Queensland. They’ve commissioned UV-C lights as part of our complete wellness system for their sustainable workspaces. Two US companies are also in the batting order.

So, call us if you want to make your space safe: 1300 672 499. And read the white paper if you want more nuts and bolts action. Let’s get germicidal.