Disinfection is a critical process that involves the removal of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi from a material. UV light has proven to be a particularly effective antimicrobial disinfectant, due to its ability to break down microbial genetic material. UV light can be divided into three separate bands: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. 

As the high-energy portion of the UV spectrum, UV-C is the most effective and has been used for decades to disinfect industrial equipment, hospital surfaces, and drinking water. It is particularly valuable in medical settings due to its ability to kill bacteria that can cause hospital-acquired infections.

The Benefits of UV-C

UV-C light is the most effective ultraviolet sanitizer, but should be used with care. When used properly, ultraviolet disinfection systems can offer a variety of benefits.

Safe and Non-Toxic

When appropriate precautions are taken, UV-C disinfection is a safe and non-toxic alternative to more traditional chemical sanitizers. It can be used to sanitize surfaces and can be safely used in air and water filtration systems. 

Highly Effective

UV-C light is an extremely effective means of disinfection and sanitization. When directly exposed to UV-C radiation, the genetic material of viruses and bacteria is compromised, preventing pathogens from multiplying and spreading.

No Pathogen Immunity

Unlike antimicrobial chemicals, UV disinfection does not facilitate microbial immunity. UV radiation provides reliable and safe sanitization that not only prevents the development of new resistant strains, but is effective against pathogens that have developed resistance to other antimicrobial measures. 

Portable and Fixed Designs

Whether you are in need of a mobile UV disinfection device for surface disinfection or a permanent sanitization installation in a ventilation duct, there are numerous options tailored to a wide variety of applications. 

Extremely Affordable

With UV light disinfection systems, you don’t have to keep spending money on chemicals and cleaning materials. The initial installation is inexpensive, and the equipment is low-cost and easy to maintain. UV sanitation also uses very little energy. 

The Different Types of UV-C Solutions

Due to UV-C light’s ability to provide reliable and powerful sanitization at a low cost, numerous designs have been developed to meet the needs of various applications. 

Upper-Air UV Fixtures

Upper-air UV fixtures are specifically designed to enhance indoor air quality by inactivating microbes such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria in the air, reducing the risk of flu, cold, allergies, and other illnesses. Air circulation within the room causes microbes to float to the upper levels of the room. UV fixtures on the upper level expose the pathogenic particles to UV radiation, inactivating those particles. Continuous circulation and exposure further reduces active pathogens in the room.

UV Light for HVAC Systems

HVAC condensing coils create the perfect moist environment for the growth of bacteria, mildew, and mold. Simply adding a UV light may not be sufficient to provide adequate disinfection of both the coil and circulating air, as there are many critical factors that play into the amount of UV needed for proper sanitization within an HVAC system. With the proper design, a UV sanitization system can provide up to a 99.9% microbial reduction in air that circulates through your HVAC unit. 

UV-C Fixtures

The wavelength of UV-C rays falls between 100 and 280 nm. According to the National Institute of Health, the ideal wavelength to kill pathogenic microorganisms is 254 nm, so most UV-C fixtures are engineered to emit light at or near this range. UV-C disinfection systems are inexpensive to install, require very little maintenance, and are easy to operate. These fixtures are commonly used to prevent biofilm from forming in water reservoirs and to keep air treatment systems clean.

Mobile Units

UV-C mobile systems are specially designed to be safely and easily relocated for use in multiple locations. The dosage and exposure time is modified based on the size and configuration of the room being sanitized, as well as any objects that may obstruct UV-C rays. 

The Different Applications of UV-C

UV-C disinfection is not a new concept; however, scientists are constantly discovering new ways to use UV-C radiation. 

Historic Uses of UV Disinfection

For decades, UV light has been used to disinfect surfaces, liquids, and air in various industries, including: 

New Applications of UV Disinfection

As UV disinfection systems continue to evolve, they are being incorporated into ventilation systems, HVAC units, and other sanitization treatments for virtually every type of building, including: 

• Schools, Colleges, and Universities
• Office Buildings
• Government Buildings
• Places of Worship
• Stores, Malls, and Retail Facilities
• Sports Facilities, Arenas, and Gyms
• Hotels, Restaurants, and Convention Centers

Citra’s Unique, Solution-Based Approach to UV-C Disinfection

At Citra, we are committed to providing innovative solutions to meet the unprecedented challenges facing businesses today. Our personalized, solution-based approach to UV-C disinfection allows us to tailor our air and surface UV sanitization systems to meet the specific needs of your business or facility. 

Level One Air Disinfection Solutions

Our specially engineered Level One Air Disinfection Solutions incorporate UV treatments directly into your facility’s HVAC system using a combination of the following:

• Air Handling Unit (AHU) Mounted UV System
• Rooftop Unit (RTU) Mounted UV System
• In-Duct Mounted UV System
• Split-Unit Mounted UV System
• PTAC Units Mounted UV System
• Fan Coil (FC) Mounted UV System

Level Two Air Disinfection Solutions

For more comprehensive air treatment at room level, we offer Level Two Air Disinfection Systems, which can include any of the following:

• Ceiling-Mounted, UV-Based Air Purifiers
• Wall-Mounted, UV-Based Air Purifiers
• Floor-Mounted, UV-Based Air Purifiers
• Upper Air UV Fixtures

Level One Surface Disinfection Solutions

Citra’s Level One Surface Disinfection Solutions are focused on sanitizing every surface within a space. Tools incorporated into this level of disinfection may include:

• Ceiling-Mounted UV Fixtures
• Wall-Mounted UV Fixtures
• Mobile (Portable) UV Fixtures
• UV Disinfection Robots

Level Two Surface Disinfection Solutions

For areas that are high-traffic or high-risk, our more focused Level Two Surface Disinfection Solutions may be more appropriate. Our targeted surface disinfection treatments may incorporate:

• Electrostatic Sprayers
• High-Power UV Wands

To ensure that our customers have the right UV-C disinfection solutions for their facility’s size, configuration, and usage, our experts conduct a thorough review of the HVAC system, ventilation, and layout of each facility. We then develop a system that is specifically tailored to provide maximum disinfection with the utmost efficiency.

Why Citra?

Citra is a leading producer of innovative lighting technology. We are committed to developing custom lighting solutions for everything from lighting retrofits to smart building systems and UV disinfection. With decades of experience in the lighting industry, we have the knowledge and capabilities to ensure optimal illumination levels with minimal energy usage. What’s more, our focus on technological innovation allows us to incorporate a wide variety of lighting systems seamlessly into intelligent building systems for safe and effective lighting solutions in any environment.

Our knowledge of UV disinfection technology is second to none in the industry. Coupled with our extensive engineering experience, our UV technology can be easily tailored to meet the needs of virtually any space. Armed with information from our thorough inspection of your facility, we design and install everything from retrofitted upgrades to state-of-the-art sensors and IoT technology to ensure that your facility has optimal coverage.

As a minority- and woman-owned business, we are committed to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our operation. To see how our UV lighting systems can improve the cleanliness and safety of your space, feel free to contact us today or request a quote.