IMPACT opts to use UVC sterilizer to carry out a big cleaning covering an area of 140,000-sq.m. in preparation for reopening

Published : 2020-05-27

IMPACT reassures the public by continually taking precautionary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Recently, it has opted to use the mobile Germ Saber UVC Sterilizer, developed by the NSTDA in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, to sanitize its venue covering the area of over 140,000 sq.m. in preparation for the reopening under the concept of “New Normal: Smartness on top of Safety.”  

Mr. Paul Kanjanapas, Managing Director at IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. and the executive of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, revealed the reopening plan after having been closed down for approximately 3 months in accordance with the government’s order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  During that time, IMPACT has implemented precautionary and preventive measures and strictly adhered to the guidance of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Now that the government is moving into phase 2 of easing the lockdown restrictions, some businesses including the convention centers like IMPACT are allowed to reopen with a limit of 50 visitors. However, it still needs to comply with the public health guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the public while adapting to the new normal as well as meeting the standard of a fully-equipped facility under the concept of smartness on top of safety.

Following its business practices with maximum efficiency in mind in terms of personnel, services, and quality innovations, IMPACT has recently opted to use the Germ Saber UVC Sterilizer, developed by the National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in collaboration with the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, together with other devices for preventing and killing germs all over its area of 140,000 square meters. This innovation is considered a standard technology to promote safety and keep customers, exhibitors, and visitors reassured when it is time for the business to resume its full operations.

Dr. Siwaruk Siwamogsatham, Director of the National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) said that the Germ Saber UVC Sterilizer is an innovation that NSTDA co-developed with the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Chulalongkorn University to decrease the use of disinfectant sprays and avoid any chemical accumulations. It can also kill any pathogens in the hospital and other risky areas within a limited amount of time.

There are currently two models of the device. The first one is the Germ Saber Station, a device that can be moved to different areas by using a radio-frequency remote controller. The second one is the Germ Saber Robot, a UV light sterilizing robot that is automatically activated and moved by an internally-installed electric motor driven by the Mecanum wheel set, allowing it to move in any directions even on uneven or inclined surfaces. The battery of the Germ Saber Robot takes only 4-6 hours to be fully charged and can be continuously used for 3 hours. In addition, it has the distance measurement cameras on all the four sides to prevent it from hitting any objects in its path. It can also be operated easily via Android Application (Version 5.0 and higher) and is suitable for working when the area is unoccupied. It can kill germs in different areas with an average of 30 minutes in each area, or only 15 minutes within the 135-cm. range between the device and the targeted area. Besides, the user can set the timer of the UVC lamps.

Both models of the Germ Saber come with 8 UVC lamps (with a lifespan of approximately 9,000 hours). The highlighted feature is its efficiency in killing 99.9% of the novel coronavirus by using the ultraviolet light with a wavelength of around 250 nanometers which is the optimal and most effective range for killing fungi, bacteria, and other germs on the surfaces of medical devices and electronic equipment, including viruses in small particle droplets that linger in the air. Therefore, it is greatly suitable to use it together with or in place of the regular disinfectant sprays as it can reduce the cleaning time and the cleaner’s risk of exposure to the virus. After testing the Germ Saber prototype at Chulalongkorn Hospital by activating it in the elevator for 15 minutes, it was found that all the germs on the elevator buttons were completely killed.

As IMPACT Muang Thong Thani is an exhibition and convention center with a large area and a lot of visitors, the health and safety of the public is the primary concern. Therefore, IMPACT decided to use the Germ Saber UVC Sterilizer as a tool for sanitizing and sterilizing the whole area as part of the precautionary and preventive measures.