Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES JUNE 2021 27 FEATURE HEALTH & SAFETY More information can be found at www.hwll.co/MKAntimicrobial Meeting the standards To provide additional protection for users against contracting an infection from frequently touched surfaces like electrical sockets and switches, there has been a number of anti-bacterial and anti-viral products introduced onto the market. But not all of them are equal. It is important to take a closer look at claims and fully understand what this means to provide the best levels of protection for building users and make sure the highest standards are being specified. Firstly, it is worth noting that the test carried out on a product’s anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties should comply with the latest internationally-recognised standard – ISO 22196:2011. This specifies a method of evaluating microbial activity of treated plastics, and other non-porous, surfaces of products. As part of meeting this standard, the product tested must remain in contact with the microbes for 24 hours. The tests also must be carried out under set temperatures and humidity levels. What’s more, multiple test samples are required, and control tests are also done to eliminate variables that are not being examined, maximising the reliability of the test results. Claims made on products that have not been tested to an industry recognised standard such as ISO 22196:2011 may not be as scientifically robust. Comprehensive testing When determining the effectiveness of electrical products in killing bacteria and viruses or preventing their growth, it is also important to look at which types they have been tested against. This means that the products can provide protection against as many prevalent pathogens as possible. Although the ISO 22196: 2011 test method uses Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, other pathogens can also be tested without compromising on this standard. Therefore, specifiers should also look for efficacy in fighting diseases caused by other bacteria in a product. Some of these could be more relevant to the end-client’s sector. For example, MRSA lives harmlessly on the skin of around 1 in 30 people,1 but could cause a serious infection if it gets deeper into our bodies. It can do this via a wound, burn, feeding tube, drip into a vein, or urinary catheter, which is why it poses a higher risk to patients in hospitals and other healthcare environments. Our Logic Plus and MK Base portfolios are the most widely tested wiring devices on the market, with outstanding kill rate protection against Listeria, Staphylococcus Aureus 6538p (which is known to be resistant to antibiotics), MRSA, E.coli and Salmonella, which is why they are a popular choice within healthcare settings. Viruses too, can cause a wide variety of illnesses. One of the smallest known non-enveloped viruses, Phi-X174, is used as an internationally recognised standard in anti-viral testing to analyse the resistance of critical PPE and air filtration systems to blood-borne viruses. Non- enveloped viruses are much harder to kill because they carry the proteins used to infect cells in an inner layer which is less susceptible to disinfectants. This is in contrast to their enveloped counterparts which have an outer membrane. The membrane contains the proteins used by the virus to enter its victim’s cell and is sensitive to chemical and physical treatments. Because non-enveloped viruses are harder to disinfect, it is one of the reasons why protection against Phi-X174 is used as a standard for evaluating anti-viral performance. Both our Logic Plus and MK Base ranges have been tested in accordance with ISO 22196: 2011against the Phi-X174 virus, with kill rates of over 99.99% and 99.99% respectively2. Health and safety are at the forefront of workers minds now, and looks likely to remain high on their agenda long even after the pandemic ends. By investing in their building’s infrastructure and using solutions that will help to provide a healthier and safer environment, companies can potentially differentiate themselves for staff retention and recruiting, and make their spaces more attractive to customers and other users. In the long-term, this may also have a positive impact on the real estate’s value, resulting in a win- win for all stakeholders involved.