What is a decontamination sluice - find out the benefits

The coronavirus pandemic has caused us to pay great attention to maintaining a sanitary regime. There are now disinfectant liquids, gloves in every public place. It is also recommended to cover the mouth and nose. Adherence to these guidelines is very important, as an increase in the reproduction rate of the pathogen threatens the arrival of a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

Although the situation regarding the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Poland appears to be under control and the government is considering further relaxation of restrictions, experts point with concern to a systematic increase in infections. The latest information released by the Ministry of Health shows that as many as 502 new cases have been confirmed in the last 24 hours (as of 28.07.2020). The news from our foreign neighbours is not encouraging either - more than 6 000 infections have been reported in Spain in the last 24 hours, and the UK authorities have decided to introduce a compulsory quarantine for people returning from the Iberian Peninsula (data as at 28.07.2020).
Decontamination sluice - a way to improve sanitation

Experts warn not to forget basic sanitary recommendations. - The COVID-19 situation in Poland is stabilised, but the outbreak continues and therefore not all restrictions have been lifted. It is still necessary to keep a social distance, remember to cover your nose and mouth in public spaces and wash or disinfect your hands frequently," reads the official communiqué of the Ministry of Health. To gain even more protection, some institutions are choosing to install a special decontamination sluice to decontaminate facilities and people when entering or leaving premises. HPV (Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour) technology is highly effective in disinfecting a variety of surfaces, increasing the safety of people in areas susceptible to various types of virus.
What is a decontamination sluice and how does it work?

The decontamination sluice aims to eliminate pathogens using hydrogen peroxide vapour. The system is placed in the gate, but a special room can also be designated for decontamination - such a solution is used, for example, in hospital infectious-isolation wards. The disinfection nozzles are activated automatically, spreading micro-droplets of an inorganic chemical compound that penetrates the pores on the skin and clothing.
The decontamination process takes place in four stages:

Conditioning, or preparation for action.
Generating the appropriate gas concentration.
Maintaining the correct level of active agent concentration.
Emission of hydrogen peroxide into the air.

Decontamination sluice - advantages

The use of the solution is associated with a number of benefits. Among the most important we can include:

Comprehensive action - Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour technology is characterised by an even spread of the active substance, allowing several people to be decontaminated at the same time.
No mist is produced during decontamination - this allows the entire room to be disinfected without the need to remove equipment from the room.
Rapid air exchange - a ruthenium catalyst is used in the slime to facilitate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and its transfer to oxygen and water.
Thorough disinfection - the jets activated during decontamination produce micro-droplets that penetrate a variety of surfaces, eliminating viruses and bacteria from skin, clothing, objects.
Safe waste disposal - used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be packed up in the sluice and then transferred to an external biological waste container.
Reducing the risk of transferring pathogens to other rooms - the sluice is highly effective in eliminating bacteria and viruses.

Where is a decontamination sluice useful?

The sluice is used in high-traffic spaces such as factories, big-box stores, train stations and airports. Hundreds of people of all ages move through these places every day. For this reason, standard protective measures in the form of masks, visors or gloves may not be sufficient.

The decontamination sluice is also used in medical facilities to protect patients and staff from infection. The solution also proves its worth in emergency and unforeseen situations, when a ward needs to be built quickly and ready to receive patients. This is when many rely on mobile modular hospitals. These are equipped with a special washroom-apparatus sluice with running water and separate ventilation (allowing a pressure differential to be maintained). They also have a drain mounted in the floor.

The decontamination sluice is an excellent choice for managers of public and commercial facilities. It allows to ensure proper sanitary conditions, reducing the risk of infection to a minimum.