HARDWARE & SECURITY
Innovative Door Hardware: The Next Frontier in Infection Control
It’ s been five years since the Covid-19 pandemic, which heightened awareness of infection risks for the wider public and underscored the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable people. Nicola John, managing director of FDM by UAP, explains how hardware is fighting on the front line of hygiene.
» WHILE INFECTION CONTROL HAS always been a cornerstone of healthcare, the demand for advanced, safetyenhancing solutions has surged in recent years.
According to NHS data, healthcareassociated infections( HAIs) cost the service over £ 1 billion annually due to extended hospital stays, additional treatments, and the increased use of antibiotics. Since March 2020, there have been 25,000 hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections recorded in the UK. HAIs, with a prevalence of around 7-10 %, are the most frequently occurring medical adverse event worldwide, posing significant risks to patients, staff, and visitors.
But the need for advanced infection control goes beyond healthcare settings. Children are especially prone to illness, with infections spreading rapidly in schools due to close contact with each other and shared objects. This results in children missing vital learning time, running the risk of falling behind their classmates.
And adults don’ t escape similar risks in the workplace. The average office desk has over ten million bacteria living on it, while lift buttons have nearly 40 times more germs than a public toilet seat. With a 2024 report finding that workplace sickness costs the UK £ 100 billion a year, it’ s a problem we can’ t ignore.
This is why hardware specialists like UAP Ltd are taking bold strides to improve infection control. For example, Armasmart, a groundbreaking antibacterial technology specifically designed to kill 99.9 % of viruses and bacteria on contact, is transforming infection control practices and redefining safety standards. It significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination in environments like hospitals, offices, and schools by serving as an additional proactive layer of defence, working around the clock to protect us.
The antibacterial coatings are applied to high-touch surfaces, transforming them into active agents against the spread of infections. Whether it’ s door handles, railings, or countertops, these frequently used surfaces can become points of contamination if left untreated. Hardware such as Armasmart dramatically reduces this risk, as its technology is designed to destroy pathogens the moment they make contact. Installers can give themselves a competitive advantage by understanding how antibacterial hardware reduces illness in many different settings, and by offering the solution to meet this need.
For instance, healthcare settings constantly face the challenge of ensuring surfaces are free from dangerous pathogens, and traditional cleaning routines can only do so much to mitigate the risk of infections spreading. But facilities and practitioners may suffer financial as well as reputational damage because of HAIs linked to their care. By using antibacterial hardware, healthcare facilities not only protect patients and staff but also contribute to wider efforts to reduce HAIs. The cost savings associated with fewer infections, shorter hospital stays, and reduced antibiotic usage are significant.
UAP is adopting a proactive approach to infection control. Innovative technology like Armasmart helps the industry take preventative measures that lead to better outcomes for everyone. Installing antibacterial hardware is a small but critical step towards a future where healthcare environments are inherently safer, school attendance is higher, and workplace illness is reduced. Above all, it provides an essential foundation for better health, enhanced safety, and greater trust.
As the world increasingly emphasises proactive health measures, antibacterial hardware like Armasmart stands at the forefront of innovation— delivering a practical, effective solution in the ongoing battle against infection.
www. uaplimited. com / solutions / innovation /
MARCH 2025
33 locksmithjournal. co. uk