Germicidal Lamps

One of the most effective methods of air disinfection is the use of germicidal tubes. The ultraviolet radiation they emit, with a wavelength of 250-265 nm, very effectively destroys all kinds of bacteria, viruses, moulds and fungi, causes no chemical contamination and removes the need for other chemicals.

In flow-through germicidal lamps the air is disinfected inside a closed chamber, which makes these lamps completely safe for the people, animals and plants in the room. Contaminated air drawn by a fan into the disinfection chamber first passes through a filter that stops dust and other particles, which considerably reduces allergy risks for the people in the room. Flow-through lamps should be used wherever a high level of sterility is required while staff are present in the room.
Germicidal lamps with direct exposure (i.e. where the tube emitting germicidal radiation is visible) should be used when no people are in the room being disinfected.
The power of a germicidal lamp is chosen by the size of the room to be disinfected. In practice, a sufficient level of microbiological cleanliness (in a room 2.5-3 m high, at normal room temperature and humidity) is reached with:

• up to 6 m²: a 15 W germicidal lamp,
• up to 10 m²: a 2 x 15 W germicidal lamp,
• 12-15 m²: a 30 W germicidal lamp,
• 18-20 m²: a 2 x 30 W germicidal lamp.