Ultra-violet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Technology Overview

COVID-19 has generated a lot of buzz regarding equipment and technology, especially ultra-violet germicidal irradiation. Today’s post provides an easy-to-understand overview of the technology and its benefits.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)¹ technology, also known as UVC or UV-C², improves indoor air quality and occupant health by reducing airborne transmission of microbial organisms such as bacteria, fungi, mold and viruses, including COVID-19.

• Inactivates microbial organisms such as bacteria, fungi, mold and viruses, including MERS, SARS, Influenza and COVID-19, by altering the structure and molecular bonds of their DNA.
• Destroys the organism’s ability to reproduce and colonize, thus leaving no offspring and rapidly diminishing the population of microorganisms.
• Provides powerful and concentrated effect of ultraviolet energy through use of UV emitters/lamps.
• Ensures a healthy, safe environment for building occupants by increasing the air quality.
• Cleans and disinfects area or equipment where UVC emitters are installed.
• Contributes to LEED points in the following areas: Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation & Design Process and Regional Priorities.

From healthcare campuses and transportation hubs to higher education institutions and public assembly spaces, UVGI technology is pertinent to all types of buildings for the following applications:

• Air filtration with antimicrobial nanotechnology
• Air-handler disinfection
• ATU/RTU airstream disinfection
• Exhaust odor control
• Ice machine sterilization
• In-room disinfection (unoccupied)
• Make-up air and return air disinfection
• Personal protective equipment sterilization
• Surface/handheld disinfection

• ASHRAE: Ultraviolet Energy (UV-C)
•  HPAC Engineering: UV Light, BPI Among Industry Responses to Kill, Control Virus
•  ResearchGate: UV Disinfection of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators: A Brief Review
•  The New York Times: Scientists Consider Indoor Ultraviolet Light to Zap Coronavirus in the Air
•  What Now Atlanta: Colony Square Installing UVC Lighting In Offices to ‘Purify and Destroy Airborne Bio-Contaminants’

Flow Tech is proud to represent Steril-Aire, a manufacturers of UVGI technology.

• COVID-19 Containment Solutions
• Flow Tech Keeps Hartford Hospital’s ORs Running Safely and Efficiently
• Steril-Aire Coronavirus and UVC
• UV-C Germicidal Technologies’ Effectiveness Against COVID-19

The following facilities are a sampling of Flow Tech’s UVGI customers:

• Baystate Medical Center
• Berkshire Health Systems
• Griffin Hospital
• Hartford Hospital
• Margaritas Restaurant Group
• Mohegan Sun Casino
• Sheffield Pharmaceutical
• Yale New Haven Hospital

¹ Ultra-violet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (ultraviolet C or UVC) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions.

² Ultraviolet C (UV-C or UVC), is one of the four spectral areas of the UV spectrum of light naturally produced by the sun. The entire UV spectrum can kill or inactivate many microorganism species, preventing them from replicating. UVC energy at 253.7 nanometers provides the most germicidal effect.

We’re here as your trusted advisor and resource for ultra-violet germicidal irradiation HVAC applications. For more information or to ask questions, feel free to contact us, email us, visit our website, or call, 860.291.8886. Stay up-to-date on the latest UVGI information by following us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Nichole Petersen

Nichole joined Flow Tech in 2013 as Director of Marketing. She leads our marketing communication initiatives including content marketing development, coordinating events and training, maintaining our digital presence and recruiting, as well as, some business development and office support. Nichole resides in Vernon with her husband Brian and two sons. She enjoys hosting parties, cooking and lounging on the beach.