‘Designed-in’ ways to reduce the transmission of viruses in buildings.

Given the current pandemic, there has been a lot of focus on improving cleaning standards in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other bacteria in buildings. However, while it’s undoubtedly helpful, cleaning alone can’t be relied on to completely protect building occupants. Indeed, in a worst case scenario it could even be that all the additional chemicals being used could end up being detrimental to our health, not to mention the environment.

Fortunately there are many ‘designed-in’ solutions that can help, without the need to repeatedly coat everything in layers of strong chemicals.

Doors

You can’t get in or out of any building without encountering at least one door, so making them as safe as possible is a priority.

- Antimicrobial Coatings

It’s inevitable that people will touch door handles, so it’s worth checking if the handle has an anti-microbial coating to prevent the spread of germs. For example, Salto and Aboly both have a range of handles coated in BioCote® antimicrobial technology, which is claimed effectively reduce a broad spectrum of microbes by up to 99.9% (although it’s not yet confirmed if this includes Covid-19).

- Contactless Entry

Most Access Control Systems have options that make it possible to unlock doors using an RFID card or fob, a mobile device, or using facial recognition. Used in combination with an electronically operated door, this completely removes the need to touch the door at all.

- Foot Pedals

Most doors are not electronically opened, however. A more low tech, but equally effective way to avoid touching door handles is to fit pedal operated door opening mechanisms (like these ones from Metiba) to open doors without having to touch the door handle.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms have numerous touch points, making effective sanitation essential.

- Motion Sensors

Motion sensors can be used to activate lights, taps, toilet flushes and hand dryers. This is hardly new technology, but is very useful to reduce the number of touchpoints encountered nonetheless.

- Antimicrobial Coatings

High touch surfaces including door handles, cubicle doors, cubicle locks, push plates, etc, can all be treated with antimicrobial coatings to reduce viral transmission.

- UV-C Sanitation

Given the high volume of people that visit bathrooms, and the numerous touch points contained within them, it could be worth considering installing wall or ceiling mounted UV-C units in bathrooms. These can be easily activated throughout the day to disinfect the room whilst unoccupied, without the need to bring in a cumbersome portable UV-C unit.

The Air

As the primary route of viral transmission is by air, it’s essential that every effort is made to ensure a healthy airflow inside any building.

- Natural Ventilation

When it comes to reducing airborne spread of viruses, old fashioned openable windows are the gold standard (assuming that they are opened, of course!).

- Air Conditioning

Given that the best way to reduce the spread of viruses is to keep fresh air circulating, air conditioning systems which recirculate used air should not be used.

However, air conditioning systems that introduce fresh air can in fact reduce the risk of transmission — the WHO advises that ‘a well-maintained and operated system can reduce the spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces by increasing the rate of air change, reducing recirculation of air and increasing the use of outdoor air.’

- UV-C Sterilisation

For ultimate safety, it’s possible to sterilize air and destroy harmful germs by installing UV-C light modules in the ducting, (for example, PPL’s Air Disinfection Units).

Elevators

The combination of people standing in close proximity to each other and pressing buttons makes elevator sanitation a priority.

- Air & UV-C Sanitation

High tech systems like IGV CARe can remove viruses and bacteria from the air and surfaces using UV-C sanitisation and near-instantaneous ventilation.

- Foot Operated Controls

Foot operated elevator call buttons such as the Toe-To-Go allows users to operate elevators without touching any buttons.

- Elevator Apps

Many elevators (for example Schindler), now have an app that you can use to operate them using a QR code. (Personally I’m sceptical as to whether people will use them - it might be more straightforward just to provide hand sanitiser near to the elevator doors.)

- The (not too distant) Future? Voice Control / Virtual Touch

Evolving technologies worth keeping an eye on include Voice Control and Virtual Touch. Given that both these technologies appear to be intuitive to use, and don’t add another step to the process of operating an elevator (like having to use an app), it’s not hard to imagine them catching on.

Room Controls

- Voice

Voice activated devices with Alexa, or Google Home can control lighting, thermostats, blinds, curtains, tvs and music systems, as well as make voice and video calls, removing the need to touch any number of room controls.

- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Most room controls can also be controlled via an app installed on your personal device like a smartphone or watch. (Personally I feel like voice has the advantage here, however, as it’s a quicker, more intuitive experience.)

Antimicrobial Coatings & Materials

Using antimicrobial coatings and materials on high contact surfaces like door handles, push plates, handrails, room control switches, and touch screens can reduce the risk to building occupants. Not all coatings are currently confirmed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, however it’s surely only a matter of time before more that are become available.

• Kastus produce an anti-microbial, anti-viral coating for ceramics and glass (including touchscreens) that can block surface bacteria (including Covid-19).
• Nitropep is an anti-microbial coating that can be used on surfaces including door handles and grab rails and building materials, as well as air conditioning filters.
• NP Liquid Glass is an anti-microbial coating that also make surfaces resistant to dirt, and easier to clean. It can be used on stone, wood, carpets, upholstery, metal, glass, ceramic and plastic.
• ACT Cleancoat is a light activated coating that decomposes microbes and purifies the air.
• Copper is inherently anti-microbial material.

UV-C Sanitation

UV-C light is proven to destroy viruses and bacteria, making it an ideal way to provide peace of mind. There are numerous mobile units, or ‘UV-C robots’ available, or wall or ceiling mounted units can be installed. Some providers include CW Applied Technology, Xenex and PP-L.

Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on any of the technologies mentioned in this article. Always consult a professional before making any purchasing decisions.