HARDWARE & SECURITY
GAI Specification advice
for a COVID-19 world
» IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS, OUR
entire world has changed dramatically
and we are all aware of the huge impact
that COVID-19 has had on our lives. As
we emerge from lockdown into a different
normality, many ironmongery specifiers will
be asked for advice on which products can
help to reduce the risk of transmission.
In this article Douglas Masterson,
technical manager at the Guild of
Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), will
look at what should be considered when
creating specifications that limit the
amount of direct contact with ironmongery
or offer an antibacterial solution.
Anti-bacterial and antimicrobial
door furniture
There are strong indications that
bacteria found on frequently touched
surfaces such as door handles can play a
role in infection transmission. A variety of
anti-microbial and anti-bacterial coatings
and materials have been developed in
recent years to help combat the rise of
healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs):
• Copper - Copper is a solid material
(not a coating) and its antimicrobial
properties last the lifetime of the
product. Copper and alloys with a
high concentration of copper kill
pathogen microbes and break down
their genetic material. Copper can be
found in high concentration in alloys
such as bronze and copper-nickel.
• Silver - Silver surfaces contain
silver ions which destroy the cell
membrane of the germ and stop
further cell division. Silver can also
suppress the growth of pathogens
on the surface of the product.
Various manufacturers can supply
hardware products with a silver
coating.
• Built in protection –Antimicrobial
technology can be built into solid
products such as nylon door furniture
during manufacture. Since the
protection is built in, it cannot be
washed or wiped off.
• Applied finishes - Applied finishes
create a chemical reaction on the
surface of the handle. One example
is Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) where
UV light strikes the particles in the
coating and emits electrons. This can
break down bacteria and viruses into
water and carbon dioxide.
SAP-2280A touch free exit
button - RTR Services
SecuSan - HOPPE
52
JUL/AUG 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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