UV light disinfection is an effective way to control germs and diseases in indoor spaces. Office buildings can really benefit from these technologies to reduce germs and illnesses that can spread like wildfire through the workplace. If you manage an office building, know that UV light disinfection is not only an option, but it’s incredibly accessible and affordable to add to your office. Keep reading to learn more about how you can use this disinfection technology for your workplace.
Protect your employees and customers from pathogens today – reach out for a proposal for continuous UV light disinfection solutions from our team.
What is UV Light Disinfection?
UV light disinfection is a method for killing germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It uses a certain wavelength of ultraviolet light which can damage germs beyond repair so they can’t infect people. This is also called germ inactivation. The UV light penetrates the germ and irrevocably damages DNA and RNA, making pathogens effectively harmless.
UV disinfection has been used for decades in a variety of settings. It’s often used to disinfect water in municipal water supplies and to kill germs on surfaces in healthcare settings. UVC disinfection is also available for indoor air, basically killing airborne germs so people can safely congregate, such as in an office setting.
How Does UV Light Kill Germs in the Air?
So, how does UV light disinfection work for the air? Devices that emit UVC light are installed in indoor spaces in the upper area of a room. This helps keep the light away from humans, but allows it to effectively kill germs as they float through the air. This method relies on normal air circulation to bring germ particles up toward the ceiling where the disinfection zone is. Once they enter this zone, they receive a dose of UV light that proves deadly to pathogens. This helps kill germs before they can make their way into the HVAC system to be recirculated and potentially breathed in by others.
UV disinfection is incredibly effective against many types of airborne pathogens, including:
- COVID
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Strep
- Black mold
- Tuberculosis
- Measles
- Chicken pox
Why Offices Need UV Light Disinfection for Airborne Germs
Now you know a little about UV light disinfection, let’s talk about why your office needs this technology. Offices can be a breeding ground for germs, which is why you’ve probably been disinfecting high touch surfaces vigorously, particularly over the last few years since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. However, disinfectants can’t address airborne germs, which is how many types of diseases, including COVID, spread. There are many reasons your office specifically should disinfect the air.
People Spend Most of Their Lives at Work
For one, work is a huge part of everyone’s life. Most Americans will spend more than one-third of their life at work, with an average of 90,000 hours over a lifetime. This is a huge amount of time spent in the office around coworkers. This also means it’s a major potential source of illness. Every minute spent in the office can expose employees to germs that can cause diseases. Having UV light disinfection technology can reduce these risks of exposure so employees spend most of their time in a healthy and safe environment.
Many People are Wary of Congregating in Offices Since the Pandemic
Another reason to invest in indoor air disinfection for your office is to help people feel more comfortable. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, many people have become more cautious about their health and preventing contracting germs. For many, working out of an office is actually frightening as they worry about all the germs their coworkers may have brought into the workplace. Installing UVC disinfection devices can help put people at ease if they know the devices are actively working to kill germs that do make it into the air of the office.
Getting UV Light Disinfection in Your Office is Simple
Despite all the benefits, many facility managers don’t install UV light disinfection tools under the assumption that they are difficult to install or expensive. However, this couldn’t be further from the case. Upper air UV disinfection has been around for years and is a great option for your office. It’s easy to install in existing buildings and is incredibly economical.
Installing UV Light Disinfection Devices is Easy for Existing Offices
Unlike many other air disinfecting solutions like upgraded HVAC systems, UV disinfection devices are actually incredibly simple to install in an existing building. These can be incorporated into practically any building design. While they use advanced technology to target and kill germs in the air, the installation process isn’t much different from installing new light fixtures in a space. You may need some services to add some wiring for the devices, but beyond that it’s something that can be taken care of quickly and with little disruption to your everyday operations. They just hang from the ceiling and use a little power to disinfect the air.
It’s a Cost-Effective Measure to Protect Employees
Another incorrect assumption about UV light disinfection is that it’s expensive, which holds many offices back from getting these devices. However, this is also not true. These devices are an economical investment that even small businesses can typically afford. Costs vary based on your building and how many devices you’ll need, but don’t just assume that it will be cost prohibitive. We can provide a quote for easy budgeting.
Additionally, don’t forget to factor in the cost savings of UVC disinfection. It’s a continuous way to kill germs as they float through the air that can make people sick. This can not only improve your overall reputation for caring about your employees, but can also reduce absenteeism and lost production from illness in the office.
Get Indoor Air Disinfection with UV Technology for Your Office from Farlite
Our team at Farlite is here to help you protect your workforce and create healthier buildings using UV disinfection solutions for the air. Our UVPhasor devices offer a sophisticated solution for pathogens in your building. These devices provide continuous air disinfection as you conduct normal business operations. They don’t require any additional labor from your workforce and can protect people from tiny aerosol germ particles in the air. Our devices also offer ongoing monitoring of conditions that affect device health and disinfection efficacy. Get in touch now to learn more and request a custom proposal for your building.