Everything to Know About UV Robot for Floor Disinfection 

Everything to Know About UV Robot for Floor Disinfection 

The world has started to get accustomed to the new living style following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many changes have already been made and many are yet to be implemented. From the way we socialize to the way we travel, things have dramatically changed over the last one and a half years. The need for effective disinfection and sanitization was already there for a healthy lifestyle. But, the outbreak of the COVID-19 has drastically increased this demand. We can expect a far-reaching impact in the coming years. A UV robot is one of many inventions amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

COVID-19 and UV Robot 

The demand for consistent and regular cleaning has increased significantly since the coronavirus outbreak. With that, there is a raised concern about what technologies are available to speed up the cleaning process. UVC robots and UVC lights are the talk of the town for the last 3 to 4 months on social media. There has been a “wow” factor all across social media about the UV light effects.  

With UV light technology, it is now possible to diminish germs and viruses in just a few seconds. But, is it worth it to invest in a UV robot? Remember that ultraviolet robots are different from UV LEDs and UV lamps. Manufacturers claim that their robots have a disinfection rate of 99.9%. Let’s try to find the right answers by going through the different aspects of this technology. 

The Disinfection Method 

UVGI (ultraviolet-germicidal-irradiation) is the sterilization method. It utilizes short-wavelength UV light (UVC or ultraviolet C) to inactivate or kill microorganisms. UVGI does this through the disruption of microorganism’s DNA and terminating nucleic acids. This process takes away the abilities of them that perform the important cellular functions. 

UVC light is a proven and effective way of diminishing microorganisms. It is broadly used for disinfecting hospital rooms, sanitizing air-ducts, and treating water. There are several other areas where UVC light technology has been in use for decades. There is no doubt that ultraviolet light effectively kills viruses. 

However, there are some concerns with the UVC disinfection method that emerged after its evaluation. Here are those concerns: 

• It is impractical to use a UV robot in many public areas for killing microorganisms efficiently. 
• Safety needs are often overlooked which may cause potential hazards. 

• The UVC light technology being utilized ineffectually in a public space is better to be used in a hospital that is already waiting for its UVC equipment. 

Hospitals are using UVC technology for decades, so why can’t it be used in public areas? The best answer to this question is that the hospitals themselves do not use UVC to clean the entire hospital floors, lobbies, or corridors. They use UVC to clean their rooms only. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind it. 

1. UV Robot Exposure Time and Distance 

When it comes to killing viruses, exposure time and distance are two important factors. Exposure time needed to diminish microorganisms at a longer distance makes it unfeasible. According to UV experts and medical researchers, we need to ensure exposure of 1-4/cm, comparing to 10-40 kJ/m. this exposure depends on the light source’s output power being used and the distance between surface and light. 

According to medical researchers, the exposure time using top-notch healthcare equipment range from 14 – 57 minutes for disinfection. However, the manufacturers claim that their equipment takes 15 to 20 minutes for disinfection of a normal patient room. 

The truth is that the exposure time needed to diminish microorganisms with UVC is around 5 to 20 seconds at a distance of 10cm. The time increases with an increase in distance. It will reach numerous minutes at 1m, at least 15 minutes for a small-size room.  

Do you think it is practical to throw light for more than 20 minutes in an outdoor area, moving 2m away and doing it again? A 50m long ward will take approximately 10 hours for disinfection. 

2. Safety Regulations 

UVC can be dangerous to your health. You should never expose yourself to it. The germicidal effect of UVC occurs largely at 254nm wavelength. At this wavelength, the DNA and proteins rupture occurs in the cells. In simple words, it diminishes cells by damaging their walls. And the undestroyed cells lose their ability to reproduce. Keep in mind that light doesn’t distinguish between the human cell and a virus. 

The US, Canada, and Europe believe that shortwave ultraviolet radiation poses an extreme risk. The standards, including ISO, require you to use personal protective gear, ultraviolet hazard signage as well as appropriate access control.  

Therefore, the healthcare UV disinfection programs come with access control tools and processes for ensuring personal protection. But, how would you guarantee UVC disinfection safety when blocking the whole corridor for many hours? 

3. UVC isn’t a Replacement to Chemical Sanitization 

Even after describing all the above efforts, the chemical sanitization need is still there. Medical researchers and healthcare UV disinfection equipment providers are united on the requirement of manual sanitization and cleaning first. However, UV robot can reach places that cannot be reached with manual cleaning. Hospitals are still using chemical-based sanitizers regularly to disinfect their floors, equipment, and high-touch surfaces. But, it is also a fact that extreme cleaning levels are not needed everywhere. 

Then Why UVC Robots Are Used? 

The leading UVC robot companies like ‘Blue Ocean Robotics’ are providing top-notch infection prevention solutions. Their robots, like the “UVD robot” irradiates the patient rooms autonomously, while the operator is monitoring it remotely in real-time. These robots have become an important part of the hospitals’ janitorial team, guaranteeing a steadier cleaning. Another benefit of it is that the janitorial staff members can redeploy labor on more important tasks. 

A few other UV robots, such as Skytron’s and Xenex’ UV robot comes with automation deprived of autonomous mobility. It maintains the objective to guarantee consistency and better safety. The other solutions are static light fittings in walls or ceilings. These products augment sterilization in particular rooms instead of pretending to offer sterilization in larger areas. 

How Long a UV Robot Take to Clean and Disinfect a Room? 

Apart from medical institutions like hospitals, these robots are used in many other facilities. They are used at places like transportation hubs, enterprises, administrative organizations, residential areas, and consumer places. The space of these areas varies from one place to another. Therefore, the cleaning and disinfection time largely depends on the size of the room. 

Here are the different factors that determine how long a UVC robot take to clean and disinfect a room: 

• Room size 
• Robot power strength 
• Materials reflectivity in the room 
• Humidity and temperature 
• Room furnishing and layout  

Every single room represents specific opportunities and challenges for efficiencies. Every UV robot comes with a user manual that contains working guidelines, features, and precautions. You will find all such information there.  

Conclusion 

It is better to use chemical solutions for cleaning and sanitizing public areas. Keep in mind that UVC needs longer exposure with the proper system. Longer exposure can kill the virus, but it may also be a hazard to you. A UV robot should offer the benefits for which it is designed. Healthcare researchers and professionals have already described how UV light can kill viruses. There must be a combination of chemical cleaning methods and UVC with proper UV exposure time.  

It is also necessary to follow all safety precautions. If a UV solution doesn’t fulfill these requirements, then the solution will not be effective. Moreover, they may also add hurdles to our fight against the COVID-19. 

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