Office Germs Reduced by 78% in Independent Test

A SteraSpace 80 (PMA60) air sanitisation unit, supplied by manufacturing firm Airdri (https://airdri.com), was installed at the HQ of Service Electrical Distributors Ltd. where six employees are based. Air plate samples were taken as a baseline before the unit was installed and then subsequent test samples were taken from the same positions 14 days later, when the massive reduction was recorded.  

The sanitiser unit was running continuously throughout this time to assess potential impact this may have on the microbial content of the air. The testing plates were positioned around the outer edges of the room. 

Marc Redfern, Managing Director at the firm explains more about their decision to install and test the unit: 

“Our staff are the lifeblood of this business and their safety and health is of paramount importance to me as the business owner. We work in very close proximity in the office, and obviously we’ve all taken an interest in rates of coronavirus infection, which has had a knock-on effect on the confidence of staff, some being more nervous than others. 

“I want everyone to be at ease when they’re working together so closely. We have taken many other measures such as hand sanitiser gels, masks, and screens on desks, but they’re not always practical and constantly cleaning desks everyday became very time consuming.  We also have a close bond with several key customers who we like to welcome into our business, and we wanted to ensure they feel safe to be there. 

“I hadn’t come across an air and surface santiser before, and I have to admit I was intrigued. We did an initial test to see how much bacteria were in the office and found a 78% reduction after only two weeks of operating the SteraSpace unit. I was extremely impressed with the results and will be recommending it to my customers for their own offices. I think everybody should have one, especially working in the times we are.” 

Oxford-based Airdri Group is the company that supplies the ground-breaking range of air and surface sanitisers. Bosses there believe it could revolutionise how businesses approach infection control in the workplace. 

The 46-year-old business is best known for manufacturing world-leading hand dryers but during the pandemic moved into the infection control arena, bringing the SteraSpace air and surface sanitiser range to market. 

Giving companies an affordable new way to protect staff against the transmission of viruses, the pioneering technology applied to the SteraSpace units has been independently tested by the UK public health laboratories, including Porton Down. Efficacy data has demonstrated extremely positive results in both the reduction of harmful micro-organisms in the air and on surfaces, as well as much lower levels of employee absence through sickness. 

Steve Whittall, Head of Research and Development at Airdri said: 

“With many of Britain’s workers heading back to the office, employers are searching for new ways to protect their staff from infectious diseases.  

“Coronavirus and other respiratory infections such as flu usually peak in the colder months, leading some experts to suggest that levels of absenteeism in this winter could be unprecedented. 

“Air Sanitisation is being proven time and again to be a positive step that can be taken to protect employees from the winter onslaught. The innovative technology that works continuously in the background to eliminate viruses and bacteria from the air and on surfaces has shown extremely positive results when used in various real-life settings. We’ve seen positive results in all of our tests no matter what the setting, from clinical, dentistry, schools and now offices, the technology has been shown to dramatically reduce airborne pathogens.”  

How it works 

SteraSpace combines Photo Catalytic Disinfection (PCD), Germicidal Irradiation and Dual Waveband UV technology to create the most advanced virus and bacteria control technology of its kind. This offers a unique and highly effective way to eliminate bacteria, mould, fungi, viruses, dust mites, allergens, and harmful VOCs to result in clean, healthy air and surfaces in the workplace. 

The combination of Photo Catalytic Disinfection (PCD), Germicidal Irradiation and Dual Waveband UV technologies produce a plasma of Targeted ozone, Superoxide Ions and Hydroxyl Radicals that effectively eliminate bacteria, viruses, mould fungi and odours. 

By combining these three advanced technologies a continuous flow of disinfecting plasma is released into the air which has been found to eliminate up to 98.11% of airborne and 99.6% of surface micro-organisms in under 60 minutes. 

Not only this but after the initial installation cost, the units cost in the region of just £2 per month to run, with an annual outlay of around £50 for a new bulb. 
 

Marc at Service Electrical Distributors Ltd. continued: 

“We looked at fogging and air purifiers, but the cost and time it would take to do this wasn’t practical and we didn’t want to be changing filters every few months. We wanted a fit and forget solution and for that, the SteraSpace units were a perfect fit. They’re much more affordable than you would think given how efficient and effective they are.  

“The morale in the office is better than before, we are being more productive, knowing that we are working in a safe and clean environment. We are working with customers more and it’s helping us get back to a bit of normality that we all crave.” 

Depending on the size of the room, the cost of purchasing an air sanitisation unit starts at around £250. 

Benefits of SteraSpace technology at a glance: 

1. Effectively removes viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi & odours. 

2. Cleans deep into fabrics, prolongs life of carpets and soft furnishings. 

3. Eliminates need for masking agents. 

4. Can help to reduce staff absenteeism and agency costs. 

5. Improves environment for residents, staff, and visitors. 

ABOUT THE AIRDRI GROUP 

https://airdri.com/

The Airdri Group was founded in Oxfordshire (UK) in 1974 by business partners Peter Philipps and Peter Allen, both experienced and entrepreneurial engineers. 

At a time of significant advancement in the hand drying industry they identified that there was a gap in the market for highly reliable, energy efficient and beautifully designed hand dryers to suit every washroom, and this initial spark of imagination is realised in the brand’s ever-growing hand dryer range. 

Since the 1980s, under the brand Formula Systems, we have been at the forefront of the elevator technology industry with the creation of our patented elevator door systems and speech units. 

Peter Philipps’ sons, Toby and Bruce, now lead the company as Chairman and President respectively and their fathers’ vision continues to grow through the expertise of the creative team they have and continue to nurture.