Centaur – Antimicrobial Trunking Systems
Centaur Antimicrobial Trunking Systems
Whilst the awareness of the need to take all possible measures to limit the spread of traditional bacteria and microorganisms is itself far more widespread than a few years ago, the assisted technology has continued to develop in the support and fight against the so-called superbugs.
Antimicrobial additives such as zinc or silver are now widely used in such diverse areas as from fabrics, flooring, paints and other coatings and in the raw materials of plastics. The most commonly known superbug is MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) but others such as Klebsiella Pneumoniae and E.Coli are also on the known list of HCAIs (Healthcare Associated Infections). Tests have proved that by using such additives you can reduce the overall level of bacteria on materials such as PVC by up to 99.9%.
It is also important that any such additives are themselves not harmful in any other way and should be listed on the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Obvious environments for the use of antimicrobial materials are of course within the healthcare sector whether that is hospitals, care homes, surgeries and health centres. Additionally there all the many other departments and clinics such as physiotherapy, community support, portable and temporary clinics etc. where there is a higher risk of infection than other public spaces. The nature of building construction in such installations has often included the application of surface cable management systems for cost effectiveness and the facility to upgrade wiring and data transmission cabling without a major disruption to the building infrastructure. Whilst this is an undoubted advantage it does expose these surfaces to human contact and therefore the risk of infection.
Centaur’s antimicrobial trunking systems are based on silver ion technology. When bacteria comes into contact with the surface, the silver ions prevent growth and replication by reacting with bacteria DNA and effectively neutralising them. As the active ingredients are compounded into the uPVC and being inorganic and non-leaching, the protection is incredibly durable. The controlled release of the active ingredient provides maximum protection and lasts the lifetime of product.
In all situations using materials with such antimicrobial additives should be considered as just one element in the control and restriction of bacterial growth and not a replacement for other means of infection control and general cleanliness routines. Certain uPVC products such as the Centaur Meridian range which is widely used as a dado cable management system has been specifically designed with a curved profile. This assists the easy cleaning of the product considering its installation height where it is in a prime position for human contact.
Once compounded however Centaur are able to use the material throughout their comprehensive range of products ranging from standard three compartment trunking to bench units and power posts and poles.
Obviously the antimicrobial technology is unseen by the naked eye and the company has invested in hand held laser scanners that are able to detect and confirm the presence of tracers that are imbedded with the silver ions to ensure compliance. Documents of conformity can be issued against delivery notes to ensure verification for customer records.
