222 UVC Australia - Far UVC Lights

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Here's information on how Far UVC is being used and the latest developments in this space.




Technology Comparisons


Engineering Controls

Not all Covid transmission engineering controls reduce the risk adequately. This infographic illustrates the relative differences between the popular engineering controls.

covid engineering controls



UV222 vs Portable air cleaner vs HVAC

  222nm UV-C Sanitation Lighting Portable Air Cleaner - with HEPA Filters Upgraded HVAC System- 6 ACH, no HEPA
Coverage Air + Exposed high contact surfaces Air only Air only
Ideal setting Very high occupancy Low occupancy High occupancy
Disinfection effectiveness  99.90% 90% 80%
Equivalent ACH >100 <3 6
Time to achieve effectiveness 1 – 10 minutes 30 – 120 minutes 60 – 240 minutes
Risk of spreading airborne pathogens None High High
Capital cost Low Low High to very high
Operating cost Very low Moderate Extremely high
Ease of deployment Easy Very easy Complicated
Time to implement 1 – 10 days 1 – 10 days More than 4 months
Reliability Fully automatic, unattended continuous operation Semi automatic, attended non-continuous operation Fully automatic, unattended continuous operation
Maintenance interval 2 years 6 months 6 months
Energy consumption Very low Moderate Extremely high
Noise level Silent 21 – 54 dBa 40 – 60 dBa


Comparison of difference UV Technologies

  222nm UV-C Sanitation Lighting 254nm UV-C Robot Upper Room UVGI Pulsed Xenon
  222 UVC 222 UVC 222 UVC 222 UVC
Coverage Air + Exposed high contact surfaces Air + Exposed high contact surfaces Air only Air + Exposed high contact surfaces
Light wavelength 221 - 223 nm 240 - 320 nm 240 - 320 nm 100 - 400 nm
Ideal setting Very high occupancy No humans present Low occupancy No humans present
Disinfection effectiveness  >99% >99% >99% >99%
Operating effectiveness  Very high Only effective when in use Moderate Only effective when in use
Utilisation Always on. Sanitises entire space Sanitises only where & when device operates Sanitises only the air void 2.3m above the floor Sanitises only where & when device operates
Trained operator required No Yes No Yes
Noise level Silent Negligible Low fan hum Moderate
Precautions None Must include sensors & controls to prevent light reaching people Must be specifically designed to prevent light reaching people Light flashes can affect some people
Ozone generation None None None Small amount
Ease of deployment Easy Moderate Complicated Moderate



Comparison of 222nm UVC vs 405nm UVC

  INFECTION TRANSMISSION MITIGATION - DEVICE COMPARISON
  222nm UV-C Sanitation Lighting 405nm UV-C Sanitation Lighting
Coverage Air + Exposed high contact surfaces Air + Exposed high contact surfaces
Ideal setting Where people are present - Very high occupancy Where people are present - Low occupancy
Continuous Active Disinfection  Yes Yes
Method of disinfection Two principles: Destroys DNA and Proteins of microorganisms One principle only: Destroys the Porphryrin in the cell membrane of microorganisms.
Possibility of photo-reactivation No possibility There is a possibility of photo-reactivation of bacteria, since some bacteria have a mechanism to repair DNA. Photolyase enzyme allows for DNA repair in the light wavelength between 310 and 450nm.
Equivalent ACH >100 Not yet determined
Time to achieve effectiveness 1 – 10 minutes >120 minutes
Visible light None Visible blue light. Blue light and white light that contains blue light is proven to disrupt circadian rhythms.
UV Dosage control Built in sensor and controller that ensures full compliance with the TLV's of ACGIH, Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Danish Working Environment Authority None
Energy consumption 17 Watts 30 Watts



Comparison of Far UV-C vs Drugs

  222nm UV-C Sanitation Lighting Covid  Covid
Antivirals Vaccines 
Reduces hospitalizations Yes Yes Yes
Reduces transmissions Yes Yes Yes
Destroys virus in air Yes No No
Destroys virus on surfaces Yes No No
Usage As a preventer After infection As a preventer
Effective against other viruses Yes No No
Effective against bacteria Yes No No
Protects many people per utilization Yes No No
Cost per capita Low Very high Moderate
Ease of deployment Easy Easy Complicated
Reliability Very high High Diminishes over time



A deeper dive into Continuous Whole UVC Disinfection


A deeper dive into portable air cleaners


UV lamps fitted in HVAC systems

UVGI - Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation lamps fitted in HVAC systems typically use UV-C lamps that emit UV light having a wavelength of 250 - 265 nanometers (nm). This wavelength range is harmful to eyes and skin, hence it alway used in a manner that prevent direct exposure to humans.

UV-C disinfection robot for example use 254nm lamps in combination with very sophisticated sensor and control systems that shuts off the lamps as soon as a human is detected within it’s operating proximity.

Other areas of use include enclosed cabinet with safety electrical interlocks prevents the lamp for turning on while the cabinet is open.

In recents time these lamps have also been installed into HVAC systems. However, it’s neither simple nor inexpensive. A UV-C light system for installation into HVAC equipment need to be carefully designed, installed and fitted with safety systems. A common place to fit 254nm UV-C lamps is at the air-on side of HX coils. The main advantage being the prevention of mold growth. However, the residence time in this zone for infectious virus is too short. Viruses have a particle size range of 20-500nm, whereas bacteria and mold are at least twice the size.

The combination of viruses being so small and the air speed approaching the HX coils, means air borne viruses at the point don’t get a sufficiently large enough UV dose to kill them.

A better place to effectively kill Coronavirus would be in long sections of UV-C irradiated ducting where the air speed is low enough to deliver optimum residence time. After all, the effectiveness of UV-C is largely a function of UV-C light intensity multiplied by the time is exposed to the light.

The cost of retro-fitting UVGI lamps into HVAC ducting and providing appropriate safe access for lamp replacement is in many cases not the most cost effective solution. Particularly considering that only air is being sanitised. And only when the A/C is actually operating. To achieve constant air sanitation the A/C will need to operated all the time, which would increase the site’s operating cost.

Furthermore, infection transmission via contact surfaces, especially in high usage common areas, is not addressed.

On the other hand, 222 UV-C sanitises the air at the same time it sanitises the exposed surfaces. Thus making it substantially more effective at reducing infection transmission. In addition to sanitising air and surfaces simultaneously, 222 UV-C devices use significantly less energy. They are less expensive to acquire and install. The can be strategically positioned to prioritise the highest risk zones. They have a lower opex.