Keeping your busy commercial building clean and healthy is a top priority, and effective UV light disinfection is a powerful way to help stop the spread of illnesses and infectious diseases. Two common systems used to help do this are UV lamps and handheld wands. While wands can be handy, we’ll explain why broader-range UV lamps are often the better choice for businesses like yours. 

Find an easier, smarter way to disinfect your space with innovative UV light disinfection from Farlite Solutions. Contact us for a custom consultation and quote now.

How UV Light Fights Germs

UVC light is a special type of ultraviolet (UV) light. While it is emitted from the sun along with UVA and UVB light, UVC rays are fortunately absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, preventing its harmful effects to life on earth. 

Artificial UVC, the type used in lamps and fixtures, has the ability to damage the core of pathogens such as:

• Influenza viruses (including seasonal flu and pandemic strains)
• Coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19)
• Rhinoviruses (common cold)
• Measles virus
• Streptococcus species (some strains can be aerosolized)
• Staphylococcus species (some strains can be aerosolized)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Aspergillus species (common indoor mold)
• Penicillium species (common indoor mold)
• Cladosporium species (common indoor mold)
• Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold)

UVC light operates at a specific wavelength (typically between 200-280 nanometers) that is highly energetic. When a microorganism is exposed to it, these energetic photons are absorbed by the cell. This absorption causes photochemical reactions that damage their DNA and RNA. The DNA and RNA provide master blueprints within each cell that instructs it how to live, function, and reproduce. Thus, without these instructions on how to live and reproduce, the cell dies.

UV Wands or Lamps?

UV wands are handheld devices that emit UVC light and are designed for on-the-spot surface disinfection. These wands are powered by batteries or plugged into an outlet. The idea is that by slowly and deliberately passing the wand over a surface, the emitted UVC light will inactivate the germs present.  

One of the main advantages of UV wands is their portability and convenience. They are lightweight and easy to carry around and can help provide targeted disinfection of specific items or high-touch areas like a shared keyboard or a countertop. 

However, for comprehensive disinfection in a commercial setting, UV wands can have significant limitations. Their effectiveness is highly dependent on user technique. The distance the wand is held from the surface, the speed at which it’s moved, and the duration of exposure (dwell time) all critically impact the UVC dose delivered and consequently, how effectively it does its job. Plus, since they only disinfect the specific area the wand is directly pointed at, it can be incredibly time-consuming to disinfect a large area, such as a communal office or waiting room. Finally, there are potential safety risks associated with handheld wands. Direct or reflected exposure to UVC light can be very harmful to skin and eyes.

On the other hand, lamps can be installed on ceilings and walls and largely forgotten. However, for these lamps to truly provide the confidence that the disinfection level is enough to prevent the spread of illnesses, they need to 1) be powerful enough, which then poses significant risks to room occupants, and 2) somehow provide the constant dose of UVC necessary to inactivate pathogens moving in the air – even as people are coming and going. The typical “plug-and-play” lamps can’t do that.

An engineered fixture that prioritizes human safety while penetrating the indoor air with carefully monitored doses of UVC light can give occupants the confidence that it is virtually impossible to become infected in that protected space. 

Farlite Upper Air UV Disinfection Fixtures for Commercial Buildings

Farlite’s engineered UV fixtures – UVPhasors – are suspended from the ceiling, targeting the upper air of a room to provide continuous air disinfection. They are strategically mounted high up above head height to create a disinfection zone away from occupants. The UV light is directed upward, not downward, for occupant safety.

UVPhasors have powerful UVC emitters housed within a shielded fixture. As airflow rises from the occupied lower portion of the room into the upper disinfection zone, it passes through the layer of light being emitted by the unit, which then inactivates aerosolized germs. The now-disinfected air is then circulated back down into the room.

Advantages of Suspended UV Fixtures

• Continuous Air Disinfection: Unlike surface disinfection methods, Farlite’s upper air UVPhasors actively and continuously clean the air while people are present. This is crucial for reducing the risk of airborne transmission of infectious diseases.
• Broad Coverage: Strategically placed units can effectively disinfect the air within a significant area of a room, providing a layer of protection throughout the space.
• Reduced Human Error: Once installed and operational, these systems work automatically, eliminating the inconsistencies associated with manual disinfection methods.
• Proactive Air Quality Improvement: By targeting airborne pathogens at their source, these UVPhasors actively improve the overall air quality within the building, contributing to a healthier environment for occupants.
•  Integration into Existing Spaces: These ceiling-mounted units can often be integrated relatively seamlessly into existing commercial building infrastructure without significantly disrupting workflow or aesthetics.
• Safety for Occupants: The shielded design ensures that the powerful UVC light is contained within the upper air, posing minimal risk to people working or moving below.

Get UV Light Disinfection for Your Building

At Farlite Solutions, we offer effective UV light disinfection solutions to help protect your employees, customers, and visitors. Contact our team today for a consultation and discover how our cutting-edge UVC system can provide a safer and cleaner space for everyone.