Frequently Asked Questions

To quote or specify a system for your specific needs we need to collect some information about the size, finish, and interior configuration of your elevator(s).  Our systems are configured to match your existing interior as well as meet your sanitizing objectives.

Current lead time is approximately 8 weeks for production

The actual inactivation of viral and bacterial pathogens is a process that takes place at the cellular level and is not something that can be seen directly.  Ushio has several video animations that can help you understand the process.

While the cleaning cycle on the uvSafeLite system is not typically seen on an operational elevator (it runs when the cab is empty), it can be witnessed in a demonstration system if there is one near you.  We will be publishing a video on this website soon of the system in operation that everyone can watch.

Ushio has developed a simple dosage measurement system that allows a property owner to quickly monitor the output power of the system and the time required to reach desired dosage limits.

The sanitizing process time is a function of four variables:

1. System output power – determined by the number and arrangement of Care222 lamps.
2. Elevator size – the larger the elevator the longer it takes for critical surfaces to receive the dose required for inactivation of pathogens
3. Desired inactivation level – 99.9% (from 99.0% to 99.99%) – the greater the percentage of inactivation desired the longer the exposure time.
4. Target pathogen – each pathogen has a unique structure.  The required dose of 222nm light will vary based on the cellular structure of the pathogen.

Our system can reduce airborne pathogens by 99% in under 1 mnute, 99.9% reduction in approximately 2 minutes.  The approximate time to sanitize an elevator’s critical surfaces (handrails, touch panels) is under 5 minutes for the following common situation:

1. Island Ceiling configured with 8 - uv lamps
2. Size: 5’ x 7’ floor plan
3. 99.9% inactivation rate
4. Sars-Cov-2 virus

The cost of the uvSafeLite system can vary depending on the configuration and interior surface finish of the elevator.

For an Island Ceiling/8-lamp system you should expect to spend approximately $7k per elevator on top of the base cost of the ceiling.

There is no additional time required to install a ceiling configured with UV lamps as a ceiling without.

The uvSafeLite system addresses the safety issues that the public may be concerned with UV light-based systems in 3 ways.

1. By using the Care222 Filtered Far UV-C (222nm) lamp by Ushio, we are integrating a UV technology that has been shown in repeated lab trials and research studies to not be harmful to humans (Ushio Care222 video).
2. Our system is designed to operate when the space is not occupied.  While it would be safe for the occupants if the lamps were ON, the people in an elevator would block the UV rays from reaching critical surfaces (and the cabin air) to inactivate the pathogens.  In a small space, the presence of people makes the sanitizing process less effective.
3. Our system uses redundant sensors and advanced algorithms to ensure the space is empty and thus provide a fast and effective sanitizing process.

Yes, since there is a large existing installed base of elevators our system was designed to easily fit into existing elevator systems.

• The uvSafeLite system operates every time that someone leaves the elevator empty.  The cleaning cycle runs until it is complete (based on the specific setting for the elevator) or stops if it is interrupted by a passenger.  If it stops before completion, it starts from the beginning again.
• There is no visible sign that cleaning is completed – we simply integrate the cleaning process into the normal operation of the elevator so that it never allows contamination to build up or last for too long.

The Filtered Far UV-C (222nm) lamp is a very effective means of inactivating both surface and airborne pathogens.

• No need for chemical-based cleaning solutions that may cause problems with people using the elevators as well as damage the surfaces and buttons on the interior.
• More effective than other UV-C products.  Our solution is not harmful to humans, operates consistently over a wide temperature range, achieves full power instantly upon ignition, does not lose power through the planned lamp life (3,000 hours).
• The Far UV-C (222nm) lamps have been shown to inactivate viral pathogens more quickly than other UV-C wavelength products.

• Our system takes advantage of every opportunity to sanitize the elevator (between passengers) and ensure sanitizing is performed to customer specifications.
• Once sanitizing is complete the system goes into ‘Idle’ mode until another passenger enters (triggering the next cleaning cycle) or the next desired cleaning interval is scheduled to begin (set by customer).

• The Ushio lamp modules are guaranteed for 3,000 hours of operation.
• Lab testing shows no degradation in performance for up to 5,000 hours and less than a 10% degradation in output power at 8,000 hours.
• Our software algorithms optimize the sanitizing process to extend lamp life while ensuring customer requirements are always met.
• The Preventive Maintenance algorithms track individual lamp usage to predict the need for replacement and prevent downtime.

• Yes, our embedded computer provides a variety of reporting options.  The default settings can be changed to suit your needs but are initially set to ensure your system is operating properly and that you are notified immediately in the event of a failure.
• Internal system diagnostics are done every 24 hours with any exceptions or failures triggering customer notification.
• Every cleaning cycle is logged (start time, stop time, % complete)
• Monthly performance reports highlight cleaning effectiveness, system usage, and next predicted maintenance.
• Out system is IOT enabled and provides real time dashboards to users for system monitoring.

Ushio Corporation has published a considerable amount of research and general information on the Far UV-C (222nm) light spectrum.  It can be found on their website or several videos on YouTube.

• The Care222.com website is designed to be ‘customer facing’ and delivers information in layman’s terms to increase public awareness of the technology and its safety and effectiveness.
• Go to the ‘Resources’ page on uvDevelopment.com for more detailed information and reports on Far UV-C (222nm) technology.

Installation of the uvSafeLite system requires an available AC power drop (either 110V or 220V).

Ethernet  or WIFI connection with access to the internet is required for reporting, IOT functionality, and system updates.  The system will continue to operation if the connection is lost and reconnect when the internet connection is available.

Our mechanical interface for after-market and OEM systems will function with any standard Island Ceiling configuration.

The chemical cleaning process is what is being used predominantly to sanitize elevators today.  The manual process of using chemical cleaning products was quickly instituted in most buildings.  The primary benefit of using chemicals is that they are readily available, and a more frequent cleaning process can be implemented quickly and inexpensively.  Below are listed a few problems with the use of chemicals and how uvSafeLite compares:

• Chemicals can be harmful to human occupants of the elevator.
  • The uvSafeLite system presents no risk to humans.
• Applying chemicals does not address airborne pathogens, which is the primary means of transmission for COVID-19.
  • The uvSafeLite system simultaneously attacks airborne and surface pathogens.
• Contamination levels build up between cleaning cycles.  A typical building will clean elevators 3x per day at 4-hour intervals (morning, midday, afternoon).  Repeated use between cleanings will result in exposure to increasing levels of pathogens for long periods of time.
  • The uvSafeLite system is always on and cleans whenever the elevator is empty.  There is no build up of pathogens between cleanings.
• Chemical will erode critical elevator surfaces after repeated use.
  • The uvSafeLite system will not damage elevator interior materials.

The marketplace has used traditional UV-C lamps (254nm) in HVAC systems for some time to remove viral and bacterial pathogens from the air.  These systems have been confined to the insides of the HVAC system because the 254nm UV-C light is harmful to humans.  Some companies are promoting this technology for use in elevators with modified fan housings on the elevator roof.  This solution has several shortcomings that are better addressed with the uvSafeLite system:

• Systems housed within the elevator ventilation fan do not sanitize the interior surfaces (handrails, button panels).  Many contagious pathogens are primarily spread by touching contaminated surfaces (cold & flu).
  • The uvSafeLite system simultaneously sanitizes the air and interior surfaces of the elevator.
• The elevator fan must be ON for this to work.  Many elevators do not keep the fan running all the time.  If the fan is not running, the HVAC system is not cleaning.
  • The uvSafeLite system is always on and cleans whenever the elevator is empty.
• A recent study in the UK compared a traditional HVAC system equipped with enclosed UV-C lamps (254nm) vs. Far UV-C (222nm) lamps mounted in ceiling.  They found that the Far UV-C lamps (222nm) were able to achieve 99.9% sanitization 10x faster than the traditional UV-C lamps (254nm). (https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-908156/v1)