Beyond the personal cost, the spread of the coronavirus has shaken the foundations of all kinds of businesses located in Mallorca, Spain and all over the world. The unexpected shock of COVID-19 has created a new scenario, forcing companies and establishments to adapt to rules of the game that were previously unknown. Even if nothing will ever be exactly the same as before, the sanitary protocols. to normality can certainly be travelled in a safer manner. At Estel we use smart technology against COVID-19 in all the different sectors we work in, to ensure compliance with hygienic sanitary protocols.
We measure the body temperature of all people who access our establishment by using a thermal camera, which increases control and safety. This process begins with orderly access to the establishment, maintaining safety distance between people.
The thermal camera measures temperature instantly, without contact. If an abnormal temperature is registered, the system gives an audio-visual alarm signal and performs a second temperature reading according to current protocol.
Air purification is effective against infection
According to the health authorities, COVID-19 is transmitted through drops produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When this happens, any employee or customer in the same area might breathe in such drops and get infected. Since the coronavirus can survive in air for up to 3 hours, air purification can help decrease the risk of infection.
The more traditional air purification methods such as traditional filters are meaningless in this scenario, as they fail to capture particles as microscopic as COVID, and even if they do capture them, they cannot remove them.
Another option is ozone disinfection. Even if this is a very useful tool for disinfection, it can actually be very harmful to health. This is why it must be used by expert personnel and under strict control, without people present and renewing indoor air once it has been applied. The ozone concentration must be measured to ensure it does not exceed set limits for health protection.
The most advisable types of air purification against the corona virus, not posing any risks to human health, are:
- Cold Plasma Ionization: a particle ionizer working with electric shocks that inactivate the virus.
- Photocatalytic Ionization: a particle ionizer where a germicidal lamp with photocatalytic effect inactivates the virus.
- Ultraviolet radiation: using an ultraviolet lamp, the photons of UV-C ultraviolet radiation destroy the DNA of the virus.
Any of these three types of smart technology can win the battle against the virus through action that is completely harmless and does not pose any health risks for customers and/or employees. A prior study of the existing facilities (type of terminal equipment and Air Treatment Units (ATUs); distribution and type of ducts; technical capacity; maximum air-flow rates…) determines which is the most convenient process to use.
Air purification through ionization – Cold Plasma
Like the previous ones, this air purification system is effective against viruses, bacteria and mould, the spread of allergens and bad odours. It is also maintenance free and reduces ventilation energy consumption. It has the same lifespan as a fan coil (terminal unit).
It can be installed in new terminal units (cassette, fan coil), but also placed in existing ones in a renovation process, using the same voltage as air-conditioning units. However, this kind of purification cannot be used in air conditioners or ducts.
Research indicates that its effectiveness in inactivating the virus is up to 99.9%.
Air purification through ionization – Photocatalytic
This particle ionizer works against viruses, bacteria and mould, preventing the spread of allergens (mites) and eliminating bad odours. It can be installed in new terminal units (not in already existing ones when renovating), in air-treatment units (ATUs or air-conditioning units) and in ducts. It is maintenance free and offers more efficient ventilation than other tools (lower ventilation energy consumption).
According to various studies made, this solution is highly effective for inactivation of the virus (up to 97%).
Air purification through ultraviolet radiation (UV)
This smart air purification system can be installed in ATUs and new ducts, or when renovating existing ones, but cannot be used for new terminal units (cassette, fan coil). It has a service life of 6,000 hours and achieves very good results against viruses, bacteria and mould. Like the ionizing methods, it provides more efficient ventilation than other traditional air purification methods.
Applying this technology gives an efficiency rate of up to 99.9%.
