AKURAT.CO, Research shows that the spread of viruses and bacteria, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, can occur through aerosols in the air. In July, WHO also stated that the transmission of Covid-19 in the form of aerosols or fine particles that float and can survive in the air can occur in crowded rooms and do not have adequate air ventilation.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to air quality, especially in enclosed spaces. This was conveyed by Building Management Practitioner Deddy El Rashid, where it is important for the community to have new guidelines regarding building infrastructure in the era of adapting to new habits.
Deddy said that for professional buildings, there are three ways that can be done to reduce the risk of spreading diseases through the air. Namely controlling the source of the virus before entering the building, maximizing air ventilation, and installing safe and effective air purification or disinfection equipment to improve indoor air quality.
“One of the most effective technologies for disinfecting both air and surfaces is with UV-C light,” he said in a virtual discussion entitled “Advanced Wave Protection: Indoor Air Disinfection with UV-C to Reduce the Risk of Airborne Virus & Bacteria Transmission,” Thursday (5/7/2021).
Especially according to him at a wavelength of 253.7 nm or 254 nm, where UV-C rays are known to be most effective in inactivating all types of bacteria and viruses. Therefore UV-C is also known as GUV (Germicidal Ultraviolet) or UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation).
According to Deddy, who also serves as Secretary General of BOMA Indonesia and BOG ASHRAE Indonesia, there are four UV-C applications that can be applied in professional buildings, namely for upper air disinfection, air disinfection on the cooling coil surface, and upper air disinfection. air ducts and disinfection of indoor surfaces.
“Of the four applications, the easiest and most effective way to do this is to install UV-C air disinfection, especially the UV-C upper air type. This type of luminaire is installed at a certain height, with such a design and according to the NIOSH Guidelines on safe radiation, thus enabling this system to continuously disinfect the circulating air in the room, without endangering people working under it,” he explained. .
Mechanical ventilation or natural convection, continued Deddy, will circulate the disinfected air back to the bottom of the room. The Upper Air UV-C kit is also equipped with shielding and optics on the luminaire that comply with the Safety Guidelines and is designed to prevent harmful exposure to UV-C radiation for people beneath it.
Dedy Bagus Pramono as Country Leader of Signify Indonesia said that his party continues to strive to increase public and stakeholder awareness of the importance of maintaining air quality as additional protection for the community.
“This pandemic spurred us to bring various lighting applications with UV-C technology as a solution that can help deal with the spread of viruses, bacteria and various other disease-causing microorganisms. The use of UV-C technology can play a role in accelerating the recovery of people’s lives and activities as well as helping boost the economy ,” he said.
The use of UV-C technology as an effective air disinfection solution, said Dedy, can be an important part in improving health protocols in public spaces, such as offices, schools, shops, places of worship, and so on.
“UV-C technology, especially upper air, helps provide additional protection from the dangers of transmitting viruses and bacteria that cause disease by maintaining the quality of the air in the enclosed space,” he said.
– .
