UV disinfection at German vaccination centre

Anti-Covid vaccination is now taking place globally and this has involved quickly converting a variety of buildings, from schools to sports centres, into vaccination centres which are fit for purpose. In the town of Offenbach, it was decided that the local civic centre would be suitable for this important task. However, although all the necessary hygiene procedures were adopted, such as hand washing and maintaining social distance, it was felt that additional safety measures were also required, especially those which prevented the air-borne transmission of the disease.

Consequently, Offenbach's specialist air conditioning and ventilation contractor, Herbert Wagner Haustechnik, contacted the UV experts at Heraeus Noblelight to discuss the problem. UV light is very effective against viruses and bacteria and can destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its mutations. This has been scientifically proven by stringent tests at establishments such as the Fraunhofer Institute, the Hygiene Institute Biotec and the University of Tuebingen.

Heraeus and Wagner then worked together to design the optimum UV system for the vaccination centre. As it was not possible to suspend any UV units from the ceiling, it was determined that the best solution would be to integrate eight UV modules within eight ventilation ducts. Using a computer tool to match the UV module size to the ducts and determine the precise air flow, the Heraeus Soluva Air D modules, which are available in four sizes, were eventually selected and now provide Covid protection at the vaccination centre.

Matthias Wagner, the air conditioning and ventilation specialist, is extremely happy with the installation. He says, "The system changes the air in the hall more than five times an hour. In total that is more than 50,000 cubic meters of air which is steadily disinfected. Without the additional UV disinfection in the circulating air system, the vaccination centre could not have started operating."

The Heraeus Soluva family of UV products provides air-disinfection in modules, which can be ceiling - or wall - mounted or fitted within ventilation and air-conditioning systems for rooms or laboratories and for buses and trains. Surface disinfection systems are also offered as hand-held units or as chambers for the disinfection of masks, cell phones etc.

www.heraeus-noblelight.com/