FMJ.CO.UK LIGHTING FOCUS
OCTOBER 2020 41
David Clements, Chief Executive of FUTURE Designs explains
how the careful deployment of UV-C lighting, aligned with the
latest Smart technology could be a highly effective way of
keeping work spaces COVID-free
2020 has been a year that
no-one anticipated or could
have prepared for and the even
scarier part is that it is not over
yet. In our favour, humans are very
good at adapting and surviving,
as uncomfortable as it may be for
many of us.
Many workers in the developed
world were very accustomed to
the level of agility and flexibility we
have achieved in our workplace.
Technology has freed us from our
desks, with the freedom to choose
suitable spaces that suit the task in
hand. However, the potency of the
COVID virus threatens the way we all
operate at home, on the commute and
in our o ice.
Businesses have been taking small
cautious steps towards recovery and
figuring out the best way to open our
o ices, there are so many elements to
figure out, from how many people can
fit in a li , operation of a canteen, to
the use of break out spaces that would
typically accommodate di erent
people throughout the day.
Never before have organisations
appreciated the skills of the facilities
management teams to make sure
that business finds a way through
this. There are many innovations that
are gathering pace that will support
a Return to Work including touchless
technology, increased cleaning and
sanitisation and increased use of
copper finishes (due to anti- bacterial
qualities) and other anti-pathogen
materials to name a few – no stone
will be le unturned and this includes
lighting.
UV-C LIGHTING
The lighting in an o ice is a key
element in creating a space that is
conducive to productive working as
well as creating a di erent ambience
and mood for a variety of settings. But
light comes in many forms and UV-C
light may just be a major part of the
solution in eliminating the COVID virus.
UV-C is not new technology; it has
been utilised for years for tasks such
as purifying water and in certain areas
of hospitals. However, the current
pandemic has brought its use to the
fore due to its ability to eradicate
bacteria, including viral particles.
The correct deployment of UV-C
light could be a gamechanger for
bringing employees back to the o ice,
pupils and teachers back to schools
and universities as well as filling the
hospitality sector with life once more.
There is a variety of evidence showing
that, close to 90 per cent of airborne
particles from a previous coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-1) can be inactivated within
20 seconds at a ceiling height, as well
as eliminating other bacteria and
germs including E. coli.
FUTURE Designs has undertaken
extensive research to develop
UV-C germicidal technology that
can be seamlessly integrated into
existing LED light fittings, as well as
incorporating this technology into air
filtration systems to ensure that the
surrounding air we breathe is cleansed
and germ free.
However, this technology is not
risk free, not only does the UV-C kill
the bacteria and viruses, it is also
potentially very harmful to humans.
Therefore, any area in which the UV-C
lighting technology is being deployed
must be human free.
For this reason, the technology is
particularly suitable to the ‘pod-style’
meeting spaces that can be monitored
for occupation and the UV-C light can
be used in between meeting to fully
cleanse the space in an e icient and
e ective manner.
Smart technology, which is another
leap in technology in terms of the
way we live and work, is the perfect
partner to the use of UV-C as it is
imperative that any area is unoccupied
to prevent harm to humans. The use
of remote devices with limited access
via Bluetooth and Interlocking door
systems enable touch free control
of spaces as well as ensuring that
environments are human free prior to
activating UV-C.
RECONFIGURED FOR COVID
The IRYS pod, a unique modular
concept, remains at the forefront of
innovation and design since its launch
in 2016. As we face new challenges
in the workplace, IRYS has been
reconfigured to incorporate the latest
generation of UV-C lighting to ensure
the space is rigorously sanitised
between meetings to maintain the
highest levels of hygiene, crucially
preventing the spread of viruses.
Following extensive research with
the original designers, Rainlight, and
a team of lighting experts, Clestra
has introduced a UV-C lighting
component to IRYS, ensuring that
between meetings the IRYS can be
sanitised, ridding the space of harmful
pathogens. UV-C is highly e ective
at killing bacteria and viruses by
destroying the molecular bonds that
connect its DNA, it is a staple method
of sterilisation that is used in hospitals,
airplanes and factories every day,
and it is fast becoming a vital factor in
fighting COVID-19.
Bluetooth technology is utilised
to operate and integrate the
conventional LED with the UV-C lamp
system. It is impossible to switch both
channels on at the same time which
is critical as UV-C lighting is harmful
to humans. The control system can
ensure that the IRYS is clear of human
presence prior to switching the UV-C
lighting source on for a 15 to 20 mins
cleansing cycle, once complete the
space is ready for immediate use.
The original design was always
intended to o er the ultimate
flexibility in design as well as the
capability to adapt to the latest tech
and innovation, whether that be
airflow management, electrical wiring,
AV equipment as well as storage and
this latest iteration is evidence of that.
Yorgo Lykouria, Founder and
Creative Director of Rainlight says: “We
created IRYS as a transformational
device in the workplace to facilitate
social interaction. As the most
important aspect of workplace is
the sharing of ideas, we are looking
for ways to overcome the current
challenges and allow business to flow
as usual. Our latest iteration gives the
user additional assurance that they
are in a safe space free from harmful
bacteria and viruses.”
PURE LIGHTING