Can I put UV fixtures in my home?
Yes. UV fixtures have been used in hospitals and clinics for
many years. Now the same kind of germicidal UV can be used
for residential homes. American Ultraviolet's ACP models are
mounted in the air-duct system of your air conditioning unit
to sterilize the air coming into your home. Utility fixtures
also are mounted at the coil area of your system. We have
portable air-sterilization units, Model RM9U105 and Model
AP-600, which can be placed anywhere in the room to sterilize
the air as it circulates.
Do the germicidal lamps kill viruses?
Yes. Germicidal UV lamps kill up to 99.9% of most viruses,
airborne bacteria and mold spores.
Will germicidal UV take care of mold?
Yes. Germicidal UV lamps will kill up to 99.9% of mold and
help prevent future mold growth.
How often do the lamps need to be replaced?
Germicidal UV lamps are good for approximately 10,000 hours
of continuous use. Generally, lamps should be replaced at
least once a year. Remember, the lamp will continue to stay
lit for many years. However, the UV effectiveness needed to
kill organisms diminishes after about 10,000 hours. You should
not wait until the lamp goes out to replace it, as you would
with a regular light bulb.
Should UV lamps be cleaned?
Yes. Depending on the surrounding environment, UV lamps should
be checked periodically (approximately every three months)
and cleaned with a dry cotton cloth or paper towel. Wear rubber
gloves and clean with alcohol only. This will also help maximize
lamp life.
How much intensity do I need to kill certain
organisms?
The exposure of germicidal ultraviolet is the product of
time and intensity. High intensities for a short period and
low intensities for a long period are fundamentally equal
in lethal action on bacteria. The inverse square law applies
to germicidal ultraviolet as it does to light: The killing
power decreases as the distance from the lamps increases.
The average bacterium will be killed in ten seconds at a distance
of six inches from the lamp in an American Ultraviolet UF-36
or SM-36 direct fixture.
Can the germicidal lamps be turned on and off
continuously?
There are three types of germicidal UV lamps:
(1) “Cold Cathode” lamps are instant-start, using
a large cylindrical cathode instead of a coil filament so
the lamps have a very long life unaffected by frequency of
starting.
(2) “Slimline” lamps are also instant-start and
are available in low-, high- and very high-ozone types. Their
lamp life is governed by the electrode life and number of
starts. Because of their high initial UV emission and good
maintenance, Slimline UV Germicidal Lamps are well adapted
for applications such as air cooling and heating systems,
conveyor lines, water sterilization and other applications
that require around-the-clock" use.
(3) “Hot Cathode,” or preheat/hot cathode, lamps
generally use standard, off-the-shelf fluorescent ballasts,
providing advantages in economy and space. Preheat lamps have
four electrical connections per lamp and require more wiring
than instant-start lamps. Frequent starts/stops will reduce
the lamp life of Hot Cathode lamps.
How do germicidal lamps kill?
Ultraviolet light in the germicidal wavelength – 185-254
nanometers – renders the organisms sterile. When organisms
can no longer reproduce, they die.
How hot do the lamps get?
Germicidal UV lamps do not produce too much heat. They could
be considered similar to a fluorescent lamp.
To be effective, how close to the surface do
the lamps need to be?
The same Intensity Chart mentioned in Question #6 can be
used to determine the distance needed.
Do I need ozone or not?
It depends on your particular need. Most of the time you
do not need ozone, unless there are shaded areas that the
UV light cannot reach. Ozone helps to "carry" the
UV radiation in the air to where it normally cannot reach
directly.
When do I need to use ozone-producing lamps?
Germicidal UV lamps generate energy at 185 nanometers as
well as 254nm. This UV emission produces abundant amounts
of ozone in air. Ozone is an extremely active oxidizer and
destroys microorganisms on contact. Ozone also acts as a deodorizer.
Another advantage is that it can be carried by air into places
that UV radiation cannot reach directly.
What damage will the lamps do to me?
They can be harmful in what's called “surface damage.”
If you are exposed to direct germicidal light, it can burn
the top surface of your skin. If your eyes are exposed, it
would be similar to a “welder's flash,” and your
eyes can feel dry or gritty. At no time do germicidal lamps
cause any permanent damage.
What effects does UV light have on surrounding
materials?
Long-term exposure of germicidal UV light to plastics will
shorten the shelf life of the plastic by approximately 10%.
Example: If the plastic would normally last about ten years,
and it’s exposed to germicidal UV light the entire time,
it would probably need to be replaced in 9 years. Plant life
may be damaged by direct or reflected germicidal ultraviolet
rays. Transient dyes and colors may be faded from prolonged
exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Can germicidal UV penetrate surfaces or substances?
No. Germicidal UV sterilizes only what it comes in contact
with. If you have a room sterilizer, such as the TB models,
and there are light fixtures or fans hanging from the ceiling,
the UV light will stop when it hits these fixtures. This may
require additional fixtures placed strategically in the room
to ensure complete coverage.
How do you determine the square footage that
one germicidal UV lamp will cover?
This is determined by the wattage of the lamp. Example: A
15-watt lamp will cover approximately 100 square feet. A 30-watt
lamp will cover approximately 200 square feet.
Do the lamps need a ballast to work?
A germicidal lamp is but one part of a system and, in fact,
the system cannot be fully defined and optimized unless the
lamp AND ballast combination is determined. It is the interaction
of the lamp and ballast that is the true determinant of system
performance.
How are UV lamps used to disinfect the air?
Germicidal UV lamps can be used in ceiling fixtures suspended
above the people in a room or within air ducts of recirculating
systems. The first method is called Upper Air Irradiation.
The fixtures are shielded on the bottom so that the radiation
is directed only up toward the ceiling and out the sides.
These fixtures are mounted at least 7ft. above the floor so
that people will not bump into them or look directly at the
lamps.
The second method of air disinfection uses UV lamps placed
inside the ventilation system ducts. If a ceiling is too low
for an upper-air irradiation fixture, this type can be used.
Also, because people are not exposed to the UV radiation,
very high levels can be used inside the ducts.
Why don't the government or insurance companies
reimburse for UV fixtures?
Germicidal lamps were not placed on the Medicare or Medicaid
list when the government requested it in the early 60s, because
tuberculosis was not a major issue at that time. Because it’s
not on these lists, the government and insurance companies
will not reimburse individuals for purchasing a UV system.
What safety precautions should be taken when
using germicidal UV?
In personal protection applications (the use of lamps for
room irradiation in homes, schools, offices, etc.) indirect
fixtures such as TB fixtures and Corner Mount fixtures are
mounted above eye level. Only the upper air is irradiated
and persons or animals occupying the area receive no direct
exposure. Direct ultraviolet irradiation, such as American
Ultraviolet's Utility Fixtures or Deluxe Surface Mounted Fixtures,
irradiate the air in the entire room. In such installations,
personnel should be protected by wearing either goggles or
face shields, such as American Ultraviolet's Ultra-Spec 100
Safety Goggles and Ultra-Shield Face Shields designed for
ultraviolet exposure, and by covering as much skin as possible
with clothing or sunblock.
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