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Vault 160 (UV-C Disinfection Chamber)

The Aperon UV Vault 160 (275w) is a specialized chamber designed for quick object disinfection while maintaining a safe work environment.  High intensity ultraviolet (UV-C) bulbs produce germicidal light (254nm wavelength) that can eliminate viruses, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. The simple and efficient nature of the device makes it an effective disinfection tool in many commercial and industrial settings such as medical facilities, personal care homes, education institutions, retail spaces, and construction sites.

Key Features

  • Large capacity (160 Litres)

    The large profile allows a wider array of objects to be disinfected that wouldn’t normally fit in a smaller device. The horizontal orientation and single rack minimizes the affects of shadowing, which can reduce the effectiveness of the disinfection process.

  • 5 High-Output Ultraviolet (UV-C) Germicidal (254nm) Bulbs

    UV-C output: 2 mW/cm2 of UV-C energy; 120 mJ/cm2 every 60 seconds. This is sufficient to reach appropriate dosages capable killing most known pathogens. The strategic placement of the bulbs minimizes shadowing allowing for light to reach difficult areas of any object.

  • Single Push-Button Operation

    With easy operation, staff can be trained quickly and safely.

  • Adjustible Timer

    With the simple adjustable timer it is easy to customize the disinfection cycle to meet any desired dosage.

  • Magnetic Interlock Safety Doors

    The system will shut-off automatically in the event the doors are opened before the disinfection cycle is complete. This ensues that there is no human exposure to harmful UV-C light.

  • Keyed Power Switch

    Access is limited to designated users only with a key. Can be locked in the “on” or “off” position.

  • Interchangeable Rack System

    The easily removed rack allows for preloading additonal racks or the use of custom racks. It also facilitates maintenance and cleaning.

  • Verification Window

    The viewing portal allows the user to verify that the bulbs are lit and is also a visual cue to the end of the disinfection cycle. The tinted polycarbonate window has been tested (CSA compliant) and verified to protect the user from any harmful UV radiation.

  • Emergency Shut-Off Button

    In the unlikely event of a malfunction, the manual emergency button cuts power to the entire unit. It can also be used to stop a disinfection cycle for any reason. A simple pull on the button resets the unit and it is immediately ready for use again.

  • Standard 120V Plug

    The Vault 160 can be plugged into any standard outlet (grounded with a 5amp breaker). This allows the unit to be moved easily from one location in a facility to another without having to be concerned with electrical availability.

  • Aluminum Construction

    The all aluminum construction maximizes the UV-C light reflectivity as most materials absorb the light. The aluminum finish allows for the unit to be easily cleaned with a variety of products without harming the finish or function. Aluminum is also a highly recyclable material minimizing the environmental impact of material waste.

  • Bilingual Labels

    All labels related to the Vault 160 are available in both French and English

  • Standards & Compliance

    Electrical: Every unit undergoes electrical inspection (SPE-1000) UV & Ozone levels tested by a certified lab (CSA 22.2 No. 61010-1 & 187-20) Dosage levels have been verified in collaboration with Manitoba Shared Health and Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

Dosage Exposure

The Vault 160 produces 2 mW/cm2 (2 mJ/cm2/second) of UV-C germicidal energy as measured at the centre of the rack.
Studies have shown that the dose required for disinfection for bacteria typically varies between 2 and 25 mJ/cm2 (with a few resilient strains requiring doses up to a 100 mJ/cm2). Slightly higher values are required in general for viruses, typically between 10 and 100 mJ/cm2 (and for adenovirus, more towards the 100-200 mJ/cm2 range). Studies are ongoing regarding COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2), but many in the coronavirus family requires a dose between 6 and 30 mJ/cm2 on average.

Measurements verified in collaboration with Health Sciences Centre (Winnipeg) and Manitoba Shared Health (link)
The dosage levels decrease as you reach the outer edges of the rack.

Simplicity

The UV Vault was designed with the user in mind.  The simple push-button operation allows users to be trained quickly on the device.  The magnetic doors are easy to open and close and do not require clumsy latches or locking mechanisms.  The interchangeable rack system allows for pre-loading of racks outside the chamber and specialty racks are available upon request.  Optional  custom carts make the chamber mobile and the fact that it can plug into any standard 120v outlet allows the device to be moved quickly and safely throught a facility.

Safety

The UV Vault has a number of safety features.  A keyed power switch limits access to the overall function of the chamber.  If at any time the doors are opened during the disinfection cycle, the system will shut-off automatically.  In the unlikely event of a malfunction, the emergency shut-off is easily accessible. The observation window allows the user to verify the device is running properly during a disinfection cycle and the safety glass protects the user from the UV-C light.

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How Does UV-C Light Kill Germs?

In 1877 the English scientist Thomas P. Blunt and Arthur Downes observed that microorganisms stopped reproducing when irradiated with direct sunlight. It was later discovered that UV-C light destroys nucleic acids and disrupts the DNA and RNA of microorganisms causing structural changes and rendering them incapable of replicating and other vital functions, or in effect, killing the organism. The process of killing pathogens with UV-C light is often referred to as Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI).

 

UV-C disinfection is an established and reliable technology. Since the mid-20th century UVGI has been used in disinfecting water, air, pharmaceutical products and surfaces against all manner of human pathogens. All bacteria and viruses tested to date (including coronaviruses) respond to UV-C disinfection. Some organisms are more susceptible to UV-C light than others, but all respond when the appropriate dosage is applied.


Studies have shown that the dose required for disinfection for bacteria typically varies between 2 and 25 mJ/cm2 (with a few resilient strains requiring doses up to a 100 mJ/cm2). Slightly higher values are required in general for viruses, typically between 10 and 100 mJ/cm2 (and for adenovirus, more towards the 100-200 mJ/cm2 range). Studies are ongoing regarding COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2), but many in the coronavirus family requires a dose between 6 and 30 mJ/cm2 on average.

Sources:
Malayeri, Adel & Mohseni, Madjid & Cairns, Bill & Bolton, James. (2016). Fluence (UV Dose) Required to Achieve Incremental Log Inactivation of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses and Algae. International UV Association
Kowalski, W. Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook. Springer Berlin Heidelberg (2009)
Kowalski, Wladyslaw & Walsh, Thomas & Petraitis, Vidmantas. “COVID-19 Coronavirus Ultraviolet Susceptibility”, (2020)
Kowalski, W. J., Bahnfleth, W. P., Hernandez, M. T. “A genomic model for the prediction of Ultraviolet inactivation rate constants for RNA and DNA viruses.” (2020)
Boston University (National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratories) & Signify study on UV-C on SARS-COV-02 (COVID-19), 2020

What is Ultraviolet Light?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is radiation produced by the sun and exists within the non-visible spectrum of light between 10 nanometre (nm) and 400nm wavelength range.

 

UV-A (315-400nm) or near UV provides us with cool lighting and glow effects in blacklights, as well as has curing applications in industry

UV-B (280-315nm) or middle UV is what causes sunburns when exposed to the sun too long and comprises 95% of all UV light on earth; it is also the wavelength used in tanning-bed lights

UV-C (100-280nm) or far UV is filtered out by the ozone layer and water vapour in Earth’s atmosphere

UV-V (10-100nm) or extreme UV exists only in a vacuum in space and is blocked by oxygen

While there are some studies showing that UV-A has some effect on microorganisms, generally UV-A and UV-B wavelengths are considered to have little to no disinfection properties. The shorter UV wavelengths (UV-V and UV-C) have the greatest effect on microorganisms. However, UV-V is essentially useless in the presence of oxygen, so UV-C becomes the focus for disinfection.


The optimal germicidal (germ killing) effect is found in the narrow window of 240-270nm or UV-C range. Since UV-C does not exist naturally on earth it has to be created artificially through specialty light bulbs and LEDs (light emitting diodes). Most of these bulbs emit energy at 253.7nm which is also the optimum wavelength for killing germs and are commonly known as germicidal bulbs.

ABOUT US

Aperon UV Inc. is a Manitoba based start-up committed to the advancement of UV disinfection technologies in Canada.  Aperon UV was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of disinfection systems on the market.  As a result of a successful private UV-C disinfection chamber project in collaboration with research, healthcare and industry partners for a personal care home in our region, we became aware of the opportunity and need for UV-C disinfection in our communities. Presently, Aperon is prototyping and certifying UV disinfection chambers that will be used to disinfect objects in care homes, hospitals, clinics, schools, offices, retail spaces, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, among others.  It is our vision to research, design and build UV systems in Manitoba for all of Canada.