REHAU trunking with 99 percent bacteria reduction
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Profila data anti-microbial trunking
REHAU Profila data anti-microbial trunking reduces bacterial colony count by almost 99% according to the first detailed microbiological tests.
The analysis was carried out at the newly built Churchfields GP surgery in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire where REHAU's Profila data anti-microbial trunking had been installed for two months, and involved swabs being taken from the cable trunking and from other comparable areas such as door handles and window sills.
In order to obtain a true comparison, swabs were also taken at the same time from the old Churchfields GP surgery nearby which had been unoccupied for the same two month period.
Bacteria collected on these swabs were grown in a laboratory and incubated in an aerobic environment so that both the amount and type of bacteria present could be identified.
The findings support the claims made by REHAU when it launched its anti-microbial solution last year that it could reduce levels of bacteria including MRSA, E-coli, Salmonella and Listeria on surfaces by up to 99%.
At the new Churchfields surgery, a bacterial colony count (CFU) of just 3 was recorded on the cable trunking, compared with 228 in the old one (a 98.69% reduction).
This compared with a colony count of 215 on a comparable door handle in the new surgery and 164 on a window sill.
Overall, the comparative study between the two buildings showed the new surgery was in general less contaminated than the old one where no cleaning was being carried out, with a reduction in the mean bacterial counts in three out of the four rooms sampled.
However, there was an increase in bacterial counts in areas such as the door handle which increased from 8 to 215 and on the rubberised flooring primarily because of the impact of human traffic.
This pattern could have been expected to be repeated on the cable trunking but the bacterial counts measured suggest that it is working effectively to provide the antibacterial effect required.
At Churchfields GP surgery, electrical contractors Barrie Beard installed 400m of REHAU Profila data anti-microbial trunking to meet the power and data cabling requirements throughout.
Barrie Beard chose the REHAU solution because they had been convinced of the benefits of the anti-microbial option for use in such a busy medical environment, and the company's choice has been justified by the findings of the study.
The REHAU study was carried out by technical experts from BioCote who supply the silver ion antimicrobial technology which is incorporated into the REHAU trunking option.
As well as inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mould, trunking incorporating the ionic silver also provides an additional level of protection against microbial organisms which can cause product deterioration, discolouration and bad odours.
REHAU can supply its Profila data, COMPACT data and Bench trunking systems with the anti- microbial option on volume orders for applications including healthcare, education and nursing homes.
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