As the pandemic and its associated safety measures continue to wreak personal, business, and economic havoc, it seems that whatever “the new normal” is, it is going to be anything but normal.
You may have heard Germicidal Lighting, using ultraviolet-C (UV-C) lamp sources, being discussed as a means to help treat potential contamination areas within public spaces. Indeed, medical and lighting studies have shown that specific ranges of UVC light, in the correct configuration, are effective in reducing the spread of disease. Germicidal Lighting is already broadly used in medical facilities to reduce the likelihood of contamination.
We have assembled a Germicidal Lighting task team made up of Visual Terrain, Birket Engineering, Birket Specialty Lighting, Buholtz Professional Engineering, Cumming and infectious disease specialist, Dr. Mark Rasnake.
We are also working to bring on other Germicidal Lighting subject matter experts (scientists). We would like to become your Owner’s Representative team, to help ensure any dollars spent on these efforts are used wisely and appropriately. (See below for information about each company.)
Our team is concerned that some people, whether taking advantage of the situation, or simply being misinformed, might lead our clients down a path of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Germicidal Lighting equipment that is not only ineffective, but could also be dangerous to their employees and guests.
For example:
- Improperly installed and used UV-C light can cause sunburn and eye damage.
- UV-B light, which can be a byproduct of certain UV sources, is known to cause cancer.
- UV-A light is ineffective for disinfection, yet commonly sold germicidal lighting wands may emit only UV-A light.
We believe the current situation has a lot in common with when LEDs were originally introduced, and clients were sold solutions that underperformed and created a negative guest experience, wasting precious capital. In a time when so many parks are still closed, and trying to figure out a reopening strategy, no one can afford to waste money on a Germicidal Lighting system that won’t perform as promised.
Our team is ready to work with you to take your virus-fighting plans into consideration, and assist you in evaluating the efficacy of Germicidal Lighting products that may be presented by third-party vendors or others, including surface, upper-air, and HVAC disinfections systems. We can help develop systems to automate, regulate and monitor the process.
Update: 12/31/2020 – We have added several Case Studies with Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) budgets.
Visual Terrain, Birket, Buholtz, Cumming and Dr. Rasnake are each committed to staying at the forefront of this ongoing discussion and continuing our research on this subject. With over 65 years combined experience developing lighting designs, engineering, and life safety systems for a variety of projects, our team has a unique understanding of the environmental conditions of each project, and can advise on potential solutions that might be used in your day-to-day operations.
Please contact us at your earliest convenience if you are considering integrating Germicidal Lighting into your venue, attraction or facility.
Click a button below to download a PDF for your facility type.
ABOUT OUR TEAM
Birket Engineering is a control system integrator, specializing in life-safety ride & show control systems for the themed entertainment industry. Birket designs, assembles, and commissions the hardware & software systems that control the world’s best known attractions. Their equipment may be found in every Universal Studios and Walt Disney Company park in the world. See offices in Orlando, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Birket Specialty Lighting designs & manufactures unique lighting systems seen on iconic architecture, rollercoaster ride vehicles, and performer costumes.
Buholtz Professional Engineering, Inc. is a Consulting Professional MEP Engineering firm, founded in 2002 and licensed in the State of Florida. It has provided design and support for projects throughout the United States, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. A large percentage of their work in the last 10 years has been with Disney and numerous other hospitality clients.
Cumming was founded in 1996, and with 36 offices worldwide has more than 950 team members and is considered a premier provider of Owner’s Representative services offering a full range of project management services to owners including: Quantity Surveying and Cost Management, Development and Procurement Advisory, Project and Construction Management, Energy and Sustainability, Scheduling and Logistics, Contract and Commercial Services.
Dr. Mark Rasnake is an Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. Research interests include patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. 16 years of practice experience in infectious diseases. Dr. Rasnake is medical director of infection prevention at UT Medical Center, with experience in corporate and medicolegal consulting in matters related to infectious diseases and infection prevention. He maintains society memberships in the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Member) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (Member).
