To reduce the risk of infection in libraries, Trotec has developed the new TAC V+ high-frequency air purifier. Infectious aerosols (tiny particles of saliva), which, according to the Robert Koch Institute, transmit the virus through the air in a room, are filtered out of the air by the TAC V+ by 99.995 %. According to scientists and virologists, aerosols are one of the main ways in which the coronavirus is spread. If the air in a room, however, is continuously and effectively “cleaned”, the risk of infection by aerosols released when we speak and cough to almost zero.
In many places, city libraries and university libraries are opening their doors again. Which is great news! Because even in times like these, when we have the internet and search engines, libraries haven’t lost their charm. With their extensive range, they contribute on one hand to the supply of information and media. But their most important task is still simply to be a place where you will find something you weren’t looking for. It’s therefore not that unusual for book lovers to spend many hours in a library.
Strict regulations are intended to protect customers from becoming infected with the coronavirus.
The joy of reading during the pandemic is clouded by the numerous rules and regulations. Viewed in isolation, measures such as a 24-hour quarantine for returned books, protective walls made of Plexiglas, mouth-and-nose masks and distancing rules make perfect sense and provide at least some sort of protection against infection for employees and customers. But the usual fun still has to fall by the wayside as there is still a risk of infection. It’s not droplet or smear infection that is the main reason that some libraries are limiting their customers’ stay to 30 minutes or only admitting a maximum of one customer per 20 square metres of space. The actual reason is in the air and continues to present an incalculable risk to the health of employees and customers. Infections aerosols, which are expelled into a room during speech or when we cough.
Aerosols – the invisible risk of infection in the air is reading too.
Only around 10 percent of corona infections are due to direct contact or via a smear infection. Half of all infections are due to the inhalation of infectious aerosols that float, invisible, in the air in closed rooms.
When we breathe, speak or cough we do not just expel large, visible droplets in the form of a sort of “mist” into the room, but also to a greater extent tiny aerosols. However, while large droplets sink to the ground after only about 1.5 meters due to their weight – which is why the regulations prescribe a distance of 1.5 meters – infectious aerosols measuring only a thousandth of a millimetre stay in the air “for several hours, in fact’’. Sneeze guard partition walls, distancing rules and wearing simple face masks don’t offer effective protection against infectious aerosols, since these rise through the air like smoke and slowly sink to the ground over a large area after several hours. They can even get in behind supposedly safe sneeze guards and bookshelves. Only breathing masks with particle filters (FFP3) offer safe protection against airborne particles. But which customers are wearing these masks? They are almost impossible to find for sale or only at very high prices. The large proportion of people use simple mouth and nose masks or community masks made of fabric.
Libraries must adapt their infection protection to the new RKI recommendations.
City libraries, university libraries, but also large state and national libraries are therefore urgently required to adapt their hygiene measures to the current scientific knowledge regarding transmission paths. What was for a long time uncertain has now been confirmed by the Robert Koch Institute[2]:
“Even if it is difficult to make a final evaluation at this point in time, the studies conducted so far indicate that SARS-CoV-2 viruses can even be transmitted via aerosols released during social contact in particular situations (see above).”
The goal, therefore, must be to prevent breathing air from flowing into the different areas of the library as much as possible. And this can be achieved through the combined use of a TAC V+ air purifier.
Virus-free air for exciting hours at the library: The TAC V+ air purifier
With the mobile TAC V+ air purifier, Trotec has developed a unique air purifier with HEPA air purification technology. The TAC V+ circulates and purifies air in closed rooms just as effectively as purifiers used in hygiene-sensitive clean room environments and hospital operating rooms. This is made possible by the very high air performance of the high-frequency air purifier and a new type of HEPA high performance filter with a filter efficiency of 99.995%. This is the only way to keep a freely definable area permanently free of viruses and germs. Even in expansive libraries with high ceilings, the aerosol load can be permanently reduced to almost zero with the combined use of several devices.
That which sounds very technical in theory, proves to be extremely uncomplicated in practice. The air is sucked in near the floor, freed from bacteria and viruses by the HEPA filter and returned to the room as germ-free clean air. No installation, no complicated connection process. Simply plug in and immediately provide the highest possible protection against infection!
The danger of employees or customers becoming infected with the coronavirus through room air despite observing safety and hygiene regulations is reduced to almost zero when using a TAC V+ air purifier! Infectious aerosols are filtered out of the air in just a few seconds so that they are not breathed in by other people.
You can’t ask for more, and you should demand no less of the protection of your employees and customers:
- Compliance with all requirements and hygiene regulations (access restrictions, compulsory masks, distancing rules, disinfection measures etc.)
- Air purification to reduce the airborne risk of infection
Interesting facts about the H14-HEPA particulate filter with a transmittance of ≤ 0.005 %
H14 virus filters, specifically developed by Trotec for the TAC V+ and the TES 200, impress with their first-class filter efficiency and their innovative performance characteristics. With their transmission level of just 0.005% and separation level of 99.995%, they offer 10 times the separation efficiency compared to conventional H13 filters. Thanks to these first-class properties, H14 high-performance filters are even used to produce clean air in operating theatres and in other comparably hygiene-sensitive areas. These are the best prerequisites for protecting people, even those who are lost in books, from the risk of infection during a rampant epidemic.
All H14 high-performance filters offered by Trotec meet the highest quality standards, which are obligatory for the filtration of bacteria and viruses:
- Each H14 high-performance filter is individually tested and given its own serial number.
- The test report is enclosed in duplicate as a certificate with each H14 filter.
- The original test certificate can be filed away and a copy attached to the air purification device if required.
- H14 HEPA high performance filters are tested according to EN 1822 and EN 60335-2-69.
The TAC V+, now available for purchase or rental, was developed and tested in a Heinsberg study. The device is available in different designs and colours.
Trotec has set up a special advice centre for public institutions, government agencies and local authorities for all questions concerning infection protection:
Trotec GmbH
Mr Jochem Weingartz
Telephone: +49 2452 962-137
