If you’re responsible for maintaining a business or commercial building, this can be a very uncertain time. COVID-19 has changed the way all of us operate. Your building may either be closed, reopening, or overrun with people. Regardless, there is one thing that’s top of mind: the health of everyone who uses your building.
Germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) products can kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals.
These disinfecting products are not just for hospitals. Any commercial building or mode of transportation like airplanes, trains, subways, and buses can benefit from germicidal UVC.
There are multiple ways you can use the disinfecting power of UVC. One of those options is a mobile UVC unit. Before you get started with any new system, we recommend you consider the following factors:
- Disinfection Time – How quickly do you need the product to work? If you’re thinking of using mobile disinfection in a hospital, you may have less cleaning time available than if you’re using it in a hotel.
- Labour – Do you have the staff available to move UVC disinfection products to different areas or rooms? Even if they are robotic, mobile UVC disinfection units require someone to operate them.
- Space – How big is the space you need to disinfect? Do you need more than one disinfecting unit to operate efficiently? How much area do UVC products cover? Your space will determine the best option for you.
It’s important to note these products contain germicidal UVC, which can be harmful to humans. If used incorrectly, UVC radiation can penetrate the skin and eyes. The Illuminating Engineering Society recently released a report with safety guidelines that should be followed along with manufacturer guidelines.
Pros of mobile UVC disinfection units
- Mobility – The biggest perk of mobile UVC disinfection is the fact that you can move them to the threat, or the area you want to disinfect. All you have to do is plug the unit in one room, allow it to run its cycle, then unplug and move it to another area.
- Operate On Any Schedule – Mobile UVC units can be used when it’s convenient for you. This is especially beneficial in areas that are used frequently, like hospital rooms, hotel rooms, or airplanes.
- Adjustable Equipment – Many units are robotic, pushcarts, or built on adjustable stands. They can be configured to target surfaces effectively.
- Easy To Use – With proper training, it’s easy to operate mobile UVC units. Most also come with occupancy sensors that shut off if motion is detected.
Cons of mobile UVC disinfection units
- Move Room to Room – If you have multiple rooms that need to be cleaned simultaneously, it might be more efficient to install fixed UVC units.
- Labour Requirement – Someone must manage the system and move it from room to room.
- Time Constraints – Rooms must be unoccupied while the system is running to avoid human exposure.
- Multiple Cycles – Since UVC disinfects by line of sight, multiple passes may be needed to ensure all surfaces are treated. UVC cannot penetrate furniture or objects.
How to tell if mobile units are working
You can use a dosimeter on different surfaces before running a cycle. The yellow spot in the middle changes colours based on the UVC dose received:
Orange: Dose strong enough to kill MRSA (50 mJ/cm²)
Pink: Dose strong enough to kill C. diff (100 mJ/cm²)
This helps confirm effective coverage and determine the best unit placement.
Where to use mobile UVC disinfection units
While hospitals are the obvious use case, many other industries can benefit:
- Airports – Disinfect planes, bathrooms, and waiting areas.
- Restaurants – Use in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent cross-contamination.
- Grocery Stores – Target high-risk areas like staff rooms and bathrooms.
- Banks – Disinfect ATMs, counters, and customer service areas daily.
- Hotels – Use units while housekeeping services other rooms.
- Primary Care Centres – Reduce cross-contamination between patients.
- Assisted Living – Protect vulnerable residents with scheduled disinfection.
- Commercial Offices – Prepare clean workspaces for staff returning to the office.
Mobile UVC disinfection units for sale
When selecting a mobile UVC unit, consider:
- Power output
- Cleaning cycle time
- Size of rooms or spaces to be disinfected
We offer three mobile units from American Ultraviolet®, a pioneer in UVC technology since 1960:
American Ultraviolet Handheld UVC – The Blade
The Blade is a handheld UVC disinfection tool ideal for high-touch and hard-to-reach surfaces like:
- Keyboards
- Elevator buttons
- Office equipment
It emits germicidal UVC and must be used with proper safety gear, including safety glasses, gloves, and long sleeves. A dosimeter can confirm effective disinfection times.
If you’re exploring mobile UVC disinfection solutions for your commercial space, our team can help guide you to the best fit.
