Retailer stores and supermarkets are the most popular places to buy stuff and daily essentials until it is hit badly by COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 has left both essential and non-essential retail businesses in panic. All retail stores have the traditional model with an air-conditioned space with lots of items and no windows, having high occupancy that make it a most suitable environment for infections to grow and circulate. In crowded marts/stores, poor air ventilation or sick building syndrome (SBS) can affect the shopping experience, leaving the shoppers with an unexplained illness, and headache. Therefore, it is very essential to take proper measures to ensure a safe environment, enabling physical distancing and protecting staff and customers in general
Generally, we share shopping carts with unfamiliar person and pick up unpacked products that are inspected by dozens of unseen hands. According to research, 75% of the shopping cart’s swabs tested positive for a bacteria type known as “gram-negative rods” which are dangerous for humans. One of the worst places to find bacteria in retail stores is the doors of the fridge that have 1,235 times more bacteria than the surface of your mobiles. In this environment, an improperly maintained HVAC system can promote transmission of disease as it recirculates those same germs throughout the store.
As the concern about indoor air quality is increasing so it is very important to implement technologies that will help in fighting all the drawbacks that retail stores are facing. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is gaining popularity in current commercial practices, UVGI devices emit UV light of an appropriate wavelength which is generated by an electrical discharge through low-pressure mercury vapours enclosed in a glass tube that transmit UV light. This UV light is of short wavelength and has germicidal properties and is abbreviated as UV-C and it is used to kill viruses, mycoplasma, fungi, and bacteria present in the air or on the surfaces. UV Lamps and in-duct UVGI systems can be installed in the HVAC systems of retailer stores to inactive bioaerosols composed of vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores, or fungal spores providing sterilized air to create a relaxed and safe environment for customers.
Why retailer stores need UVGI technology and the answer to it are the following
- UVGI is a deep, nonstop, programmable disinfection systems
it will provide ideal hygienic conditions in retail stores both in the presence and absence of employees and customers and in all the different phases of shopping activities
- Easy to install
UVGI systems can be easily installed with the current HVAC systems of retail stores which can curb bacterial growth and prevent cross-contamination, it equally benefits both small or big retailer chains
- UVGI will eliminate all pathogens
The germicidal property of UVGI devices will eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, molds, and mites, without generating resistant forms as antibiotics and chemical disinfectants do. It will ensure the safety of occupants and the quality of products enhancing their shelf life
- Cost-effective
UVGI systems will interact with cleaning operations improving their effectiveness, UVGI devices generally don’t require any special maintenance, they just require periodically lamp replacement
- UVGI is a safe, eco-friendly, and a physical process
These devices will require little time to achieve the microbial reduction of over 99%
UVGI devices installed in retailer stores will give peace of mind to customers and employees, it will also improve brand or company awareness in the post-coronavirus pandemic society. The benefits of the UVGI system are-
- There will be a reduction in allergy symptoms, sick building syndrome, and sickness related to indoor air
- Mold, fungi, and microbes growing on the cooling coil and drain pan will be eliminated
- The cooling coils will look new and clean
- It will eliminate 100% of endotoxin and pathogens on the coil
- It will improve heat transfer efficiency by up to 20%
- It will reduce HVAC maintenance cost
- There will be an improvement in energy efficiencies
- LEED and GBE merit points will be earned
- Sterilized air and surfaces that will improve the health of customers and employees
MG COOLING SOLUTIONS a leading UVGI Solution Provider offers you the custom solutions that will satisfy your needs. Our expert team will take care of all your heating, cooling, ventilation and air purification needs providing you with the most reliable and cost-effective solutions.
Leave a Reply