Spray Insights

FOCUS ON DISINFECTION

When it comes to disinfection application, there are more options than ever before.  Choices range from simple backpack sprayers to complete fogging systems. Here are some tips for determining which type of spray equipment will deliver the performance you need and provide trouble-free operation.

Here are a few factors that should guide your decision:

  • The size and type of the area to be disinfected. Match the equipment to the space. Different types of equipment will work better in large open areas than discrete rooms. Also, if workers are tasked with covering large areas in the plant, consider the logistics associated with refilling the units with disinfectant. Units with larger tanks may be desirable if refill opportunities are limited.
  • The surfaces that require disinfection. Considering how much wetting a surface can tolerate is importance when choosing equipment. Some equipment produces a traditional spray that saturates surfaces while others produce a fog that barely wets surfaces. Some surfaces and electronics resist moisture better than others so understand what is being disinfected in addition to where disinfection will occur.
  • Time of day when disinfecting occurs. When disinfecting areas where people are present, toxicity is a concern. Some types of sprays are better suited for use when people are around while others should be used only in areas that are vacant. Consulting with the manufacturer of the equipment is recommended to ensure the proper surface coverage and level of disinfection are achieved.

Backpack sprayers: Basic and convenient
worker in ppe using FDS-BP4

If the area to be disinfected is hard to access or spread out across the plant, it is hard to beat the versatility of a backpack sprayer. Workers strap them on and go. When purchasing a backpack sprayer, be sure it features an ergonomic design to prevent worker injury, is easy to use and built to last. Keep in mind that most backpack sprayers produce a traditional spray so be sure to use in areas where surface wetting is acceptable. Our FDS-BP4 Sprayer satisfies these requirements and more. It produces an 80° flat spray, is designed for comfort and constructed of durable materials.

 

Portable misting sprayers: Effective disinfection without over-wetting
worker in ppe using FDS-PT

Need to disinfect high-touch areas without saturating the surface? Portable mist sprayers produce smaller droplets that evaporate more quickly than backpack sprayers. Plus, they are more durable, ensuring long-lasting, dependable performance.

Portable mist sprayers are easy to use and extremely versatile. Workers manually move the tank from area to area and use a spray gun to coat surfaces. Many mist sprayers are configurable. Users can choose hydraulic or air atomizing spray tips, different size tanks and optional mobile carts. Be sure to check with the manufacturer about usage guidelines. There’s a difference between a mist, a fine mist and a very fine mist so be sure to select the one that best meets your needs for surfaces and coverage.

Our FDS-PT sprayer uses hydraulic spray tips and produces a fine mist that dries quickly. Our FDS-PTA sprayer uses narrow or wide angle air atomizing spray tips and requires compressed air for operation. The FDS-PTA sprayer produces a very fine mist that provides excellent surface coverage with minimal wetting.

Mobile misting sprayers: Ready to roll right out of the box
worker in ppe using FDS-MM5

For maximum convenience, worker comfort and mobility, lightweight portable mist sprayers are a great choice. The units are easy to move throughout the plant and produce a fine mist that uniformly covers surfaces. Be sure to evaluate size of the unit to make sure it will fit in small areas and the tank capacity is large enough to avoid frequent refills. Also check out the materials of construction and make sure the sprayer is durable enough for repeated use. Our FDS-MM5 mist sprayer is compact, has a 5-gallon (18.9 L) tank, a spray gun with a stainless steel misting tip and is abrasion-, corrosion- and impact-resistant.

 

Mobile fogging systems: quick, easy room disinfection
worker in ppe using FDS-MFA7

Mobile units that produce a fog formed from extra fine, uniformly sized offer a quick and easy way to disinfect all surfaces in an enclosed area. Workers simply wheel the unit into the area, set the start time and exit the room. In just a few minutes, fogging is complete and the unit can be moved to the next area.

Selection tips:

  • Fogging systems that require compressed air will be more difficult to use and more costly to operate than a system using hydraulic fogging nozzles.

  • Be sure to understand the spray distance and fogging time required based on room size. Disinfection will be compromised if the system can’t completely fog a room in short period of time. For example, our FDS-MFA7 mobile fogging system has a spray distance of 12. 5 ft. (3 m) at 40 psi (2.8 bar) and fogs a 1,400 cubic foot room in approximately four minutes.

Disinfect responsibly: Protect against SARS CoV-2 without endangering health and safety

pathosans system

Increased cleaning and disinfection doesn’t have to mean increased toxicity and health risks. There is a way to combat COVID-19 and other pathogens without harming humans. The use of solutions made from water, salt and electricity can provide the efficacy required but minimize the risk of chemical burns, rashes, allergic reactions and more. These solutions, know as electrochemically-activated solutions (ECAS), can be generated on demand right in your facility with a PathoSans On-Site Generator.

PathoSans solutions are non-irritating to eyes and skin, contain no added fragrance and leave no harsh residue. The solutions are better for the workers tasked with cleaning and better for the people working in recently disinfected areas.