Ion purification system aims to make space pathogen free
Polish city Gdansk’s Olivia Business Center is said to be one of the world’s first commercial office centres to implement ion air purification technology in a bid to create a safe environment free from Covid and other pathogens.
The technology, needlepoint bipolar ionisation, has previously been used in the White House, the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, and in private Gulfstream jets.
The technology works in combination with the ventilation system by saturating tenanted areas with ions capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.
The air purification process takes place continuously while people are present so begins to tackle pathogens as soon as they are introduced to office areas.
Needlepoint bipolar ionisation is safe for people, animals and objects including computers and other office infrastructure. The positive and negative ions that the system generates are gathered in the air currents created in the ventilation system and are filtered out. The pathogens are then biologically deactivated by removing hydrogen molecules from their genetic structure. The ionizers do not create harmful ozone.
Process removes 99%+ of bacteria and viruses
The process removes 99.4% of viruses and bacteria as well as eliminating unpleasant odours, it also removes dust, and mould and fungus spores from the air that can cause breathing difficulties.
Installation of needlepoint bipolar ionisation is just one part of a safety regime that was introduced at Olivia Business Center in the second quarter of 2020. The centre now has permanent staff responsible for the safety of the development’s users. Other measures that followed include the installation of active titanium coatings in common areas such as elevators, lobbies and pedestrian routes to parking areas. The coating, which lasts for at least 12 months, also helps to eliminate pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses and breaks down their residues to carbon dioxide and water.
Air filtration standards in the office complex have now been stepped up to the highest level currently available and sensors have been installed to detect volatile organic compounds and particles. This makes it possible to monitor the purity of the air and to eliminate harmful compounds drawn into the buildings from outside.
Air exchange control systems have also been introduced to monitor CO2 levels and increase levels of comfort in the workplace.
Entry cards sterilised and lift doors left open
Other measures include provision of sterilisers for entry cards, and changes to elevator settings which mean that, in stand-by mode, the lift cabin remains open, allowing fresh air to enter.
These measures, carried out by the building management team, are additional to projects carried out by individual tenants at Olivia says Krzysztof Król from Olivia Business Center.
“We treat the safety of residents as an absolute priority,” said Król. “Our management department has done a titanic job by implementing these solutions which aim to create a virus-, bacteria- and allergen-free space.”
