Robots deactivate bacteria and viruses, including ones that cause COVID-19
Oklahoma City Convention Center (OKCCC) continues to invest in tools and technologies to provide the cleanest possible environment for building staff and event attendees. Recognizing the importance of properly disinfected surfaces, the center opted to purchase LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots to quickly and effectively destroy harmful pathogens that can lurk on high-touch surfaces.
With events now underway at the OKCCC, the LightStrike robots are used around the clock to disinfect the 500,000 square foot convention center, which includes exhibit halls, ballrooms, pre-function spaces and terraces, and meeting rooms.
“Deactivating germs is critical to maintaining sustainable business operations,” said Al Rojas, OKCCC General Manager. “We are thrilled to be open and hosting world-class events. Having these germ-zapping robots on our team gives us confidence that we’re providing the cleanest environment for our employees and the people attending events here.”
Manufactured by Xenex Disinfection Services, LightStrike robots use a patented pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) light that produces UV light across the entire germicidal spectrum, quickly deactivating viruses and bacteria at the wavelengths where they are most vulnerable without damaging materials in the room. The technology has been proven effective in the most demanding healthcare environments and is now being used in hospitals, airports, hotels and other environments to deactivate bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The OKCCC is managed by ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company. ASM Global is committed to providing customers at its 325 facilities with the highest levels of safety through its industry leading protocols with the deployment of VenueShield.
VenueShield provides the highest level of cleanliness and safety, while inspiring consumer confidence all in partnership with leading medical professionals, industry experts and public health officials. These extensive measures will explore the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), food safety measures, air quality control, surface cleaning, physical/ social distancing, temperature checks, thermal cameras, hand sanitizers, reduced touch points, contactless transactions, daily monitoring systems, and more.
In addition to the VenueShield compliance, the OKCCC is using bipolar ionization to purify the indoor air though technology developed by Global Plasma Solutions. The Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) fights pathogens with high concentration of positive and negative ions, delivering them to the space via the HVAC system. When the ions come into contact with pathogens, they disrupt the pathogens’ surface proteins rendering them inactive.
“The primary reason behind this effort is to provide the safest environment possible for our employees and guests.” Rojas said. “We are working to adapt to our guests’ needs and expectations while further enhancing their experience at the Convention Center.”