The UV sanitization facility utilises UV-C light source for germicidal irradiation towards sterilising items

As India gears up to adjust to the post Covid-19 triggered situation and resume stalled work, Mumbai-based Naval Dockyard has manufactured a UV sanitization bay to meet the demand of naval establishments which employ a sizable number of workers to execute various projects.

“The UV bay will be utilised for decontamination of tools, clothes and other miscellaneous items, to control spread of the coronavirus. The challenging task required ingenuity to convert a large common room into a UV bay by fabrication of aluminum sheets electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

A sizeable number of workers will resume work post lifting of lockdown and these numbers are expected to gradually increase. This led to the strong need for a sanitisation facility for worker's coveralls, tools, personal gadgets and masks.

The UV sanitization facility utilises UV-C light source for germicidal irradiation towards sterilising items.

Studies by reputed research agencies have proven the effect of UV-C on respiratory pathogens like SARS, Influenza.

It has been observed that microbial pathogens become significantly less viable when exposed to UV-C of intensity 1 J/cm2 for 1 min or more, indicating effective sterilisation.

A similar facility has also been set up at Naval Station (Karanja), where in addition to UV-C steriliser, an industrial oven has also been placed, which heats smaller sized belongings to 60°C, a temperature known to kill most microbes.

The facility is placed at the entry and exit points where it will help in mitigating COVID-19 transmission.