Advancing air and surface disinfection
The evolution of UV disinfection technology beyond water treatment
As specialists in ultraviolet disinfection technologies, we’ve observed a significant shift in how businesses approach environmental safety. While water treatment remains a cornerstone of disinfection strategy, forward-thinking organisations are increasingly recognising the comprehensive protection offered by extending UV technology to air and surface applications.
Our experience working with clients across healthcare, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and commercial spaces has demonstrated that environmental pathogens rarely limit themselves to a single medium. This understanding has driven our development of integrated disinfection approaches that address multiple transmission vectors simultaneously.
Beyond standard solutions: the technical challenge
The science behind UV disinfection remains consistent across applications—exposure of microorganisms to the appropriate UV dosage for sufficient time renders them inactive. However, the engineering considerations vary significantly:
- Air disinfection requires precise airflow calculations to ensure adequate exposure time while maintaining ventilation requirements
- Surface disinfection demands careful consideration of shadowing effects, reflectivity, and distance variables
- Food processing applications must balance disinfection efficacy with production throughput and product safety
Case studies in innovation
Our bespoke projects have consistently demonstrated the value of customised UV solutions:
Air disinfection success: Manchester jam factory
A jam factory in Manchester faced significant challenges with their ventilation system where cost-cutting measures led to the use of lower-grade filters. This resulted in outdoor spores infiltrating the food preparation area, introducing bacteria to an already susceptible product. Staff sickness rates increased, particularly problematic during peak production periods.
Our solution involved installing a series of 325W lamps within the forced air ventilation system, effectively sterilising incoming air and eradicating bacteria upon entry into the manufacturing area.
The results were remarkable:
- 98% reduction in waste from bacterial spoilage
- 35% decrease in staff sickness levels
- Financial return on investment in under 12 months
- Seamless integration without production disruption
Surface disinfection excellence: Southwest England cake maker
A cake manufacturer in Southwest England faced challenges when transferring packaging from low-care to high-care areas. Their existing process required intensive chemical and water cleaning, creating sludge buildup, slip hazards, and difficulties keeping packaging dry.
UVO3 designed and produced a disinfection tunnel equipped with a 360° bank of UV lamps that treated trays before cakes were placed on them, effectively minimising bacterial transfer risk.
This solution delivered:
- Significant reduction in factory water consumption
- Elimination of manual operations and decreased operator hours
- Removal of chemical storage requirements and associated hazards
- Reduced waste removal needs for both chemicals and wastewater
According to the customer, the investment in the UV tunnel was recouped within two years due to decreased operator intervention, manual cleaning, and elimination of chemicals and dryers.
The future of environmental disinfection
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of comprehensive environmental hygiene. Forward-thinking organisations are now implementing what we term “360° disinfection”—integrated systems that address water, air, and surface contamination as interconnected challenges rather than separate issues.
This holistic approach not only enhances safety but can deliver significant operational efficiencies. Our laboratory testing services help clients quantify these benefits through before-and-after microbial load assessments.
Consultation and custom solutions
Understanding your specific disinfection requirements is the first step toward an effective solution. Our technical team offers complimentary consultations to assess your environmental challenges and develop tailored UV disinfection strategies.
For more information on our bespoke disinfection solutions, contact our team of specialists at +44 (0)1480 355 446 or complete our consultation request form below.
