Disinfection of surfaces is performed through direct exposure to the UV-C radiation from lamps, luminaires or disinfection carts that are activated when people are not present. They can be brought into a workplace or bus or train when people have left. An extra level of safety may be provided by remote on-off switches and sensors which can shutdown systems if people or animals are detected.

Typical surface disinfection lamps are 55W and depending on the dose, disinfection can be done in seconds or a matter of minutes.

Of course, the light won’t be able to reach areas in shadow. So, for areas requiring deep disinfection it is recommended that UV-C forms part of a multi-barrier approach, alongside traditional scrubbing and cleaning with chemical disinfectants. Where UV-C scores highly is that it saves on time, requires few to no people and no chemicals. Surface disinfection lends itself to high contact areas such as offices, schools, restrooms and gyms.

For surface disinfection of small objects, such as mobile phones, laptops and wallets, a new range of chambers will be introduced. These draw on our experience with the Once BioShift germicidal chamber. The latter looks like an industrial microwave oven and was conceived for biosecurity in the agri-business sector. At the press of a button, items placed inside the chamber are disinfected in just five minutes. Such systems are safe to use with people in the room as the UV-C disinfection takes place in a contained and sealed chamber.