CEILING SYSTEMS. [ Between us, ideas become reality.] Bioguard. The Anti-Bacterial Coating

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1 CEILING SYSTEMS [ Between us, ideas become reality.] Bioguard The Anti-Bacterial Coating

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3 Bioguard The Anti-Bacterial Coating Bacterial spores which develop on the ceilings of buildings are a potential danger to health. The new anti-bacterial Bioguard coating from Armstrong stifles this danger at birth. Risks The dangers of infection which can arise from bacteria are not only a topic for public discussion. They are also a source of major concern in professional circles. The ideal breeding ground for bacteria is a warm, humid surface which is difficult to access and keep clean. Once this invisible contamination has begun, it spreads extremely rapidly through ventilation and air-conditioning systems and via people too. Today there are effective measures available to reduce the bacterial risks in buildings to a minimum. The prevention is most important particularly in the following sectors and areas of heavily frequented buildings: Hospitals: here an active fight against bacteria is an obligation. Schools: the infection probability is particularly great here because of the heavy public traffic. Public buildings (offices, infrastructure of public transport systems, washrooms, etc.): again here there is a danger of mutual infection because they are used by so many people. Food preparation: avoiding possible infection. Laboratories: as a support for cleaning programs already in place. Solutions The new active anti-bacterial coating Bioguard by Armstrong offers a convincing solution for all those areas where hygiene and cleanliness are the prime concerns. The active anti-bacterial coating is used in conjunction with the metal ceilings offered by Armstrong and which can be supplied to accommodate the properties desired by the building designer and builder. Product Properties Bioguard is a special powder coating which was originally developed for application in the clean rooms of a chemical company. This powder was a side-product in the making of a biocide which reacts with it. This material is distributed throughout the coating at the microscopic level and is listed in the European Biocidal Directive. Bacteria which settle on the surface come into contact with the powder which contains the biocide. This destroys the bacteria cell wall so that it can no longer multiply and dies. The material is an integral part of the coating and exercises a catalytic effect such that its effectiveness continues on for an unlimited time.

4 Important Features Its properties provide for bacteria to be killed off efficiently by the active antibacterial coating. The product has been tested out against various types of bacteria and is effective, amongst others, against Listeria monoytogenes, Escherichia coli 0157, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus (deformation), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus faecalis, Legionella pneumophila, Viibrio parahaemolyticus. Tests with the above-cited organisms have shown that the anti-bacterial coating satisfies the requirements of the internationally recognised testing Standards ASTM E and JIS Z 2801:2000. Important Instructions Bioguard is not a substitute for efficient cleaning. The surface must be maintained clean at all times so that the powder coated surface can exercise its maximum effectiveness. The type of cleaning depends on the application and the environment in which the system is applied. For retaining optimal efficiency, it is recommended that the ceiling is sprayed using a cleaning system (only for non-perforated ceilings which have been installed correctly) or washed down with warm soapy water and a mild, non-scouring detergent. Metal ceilings with anti-bacterial coatings are completely recyclable and, indeed, do not need any special requirements to be made by the disposal facility. The coating remains active for an unlimited time because the biocide is not used up during the process of protection. Small surface scratches do not reduce its effectiveness at all as long as the metal itself is not exposed. Accelerated aging tests have shown that the metal ceiling and the coating both have the same life expectancy provided that the tiles are laid following the instructions given by Armstrong.

5 Applications Bioguard can be combined without difficulty with all the Armstrong systems; the details of these systems are provided in the complete catalogues available from Armstrong Metal Ceilings. The most appropriate solution depends on the actual application details. It should be noted that when perforated ceilings have been coated, only the anti-bacterial coated surfaces of the ceiling themselves exhibit active anti-bacterial properties. The Bioguard coating can be supplied in RAL 9010 and in Global White, with other colours available on enquiry. The non-perforated Q-Clip system is recommended for use in areas with very high hygienic requirements. This optically clean system design features tiles which can be demounted from underneath which facilitates their inspection, cleaning and general maintenance. The Q-Clip system with sealed edges is designed for use where the requirements are particularly high (the installation must be carried out by a trained ceiling contractor). Maintenance Efficient cleaning and hygiene are prerequirements for obviating and trapping bacterial spores. The ceiling has to be robust and simple to clean so that maintenance and cleaning can be carried out readily in a regular schedule. The following criteria must be satisfied so that the requirements for cleanliness and hygiene can be satisfied: Smooth surfaces Non-perforated finish 100% humidity resistance Simple cleaning No joints Structural material class: class A (DIN 4102) The active, anti-bacterial properties of the coating ensure that the development and spreading of bacteria are prevented efficiently. The coating aids and supplements efficient preventive cleaning and hygienic measures, but is not a substitute for them.

6 Western Europe Switzerland/Suisse/Svizzera Deutschland Suisse Romande Armstrong Plafonds Métalliques SA 3, rue Gustave-Moynier CH-1202 Genève Tel. +41 (0) Fax +41 (0) France Armstrong Plafonds Métalliques SAF Bureau France Immeuble Paryseine 3, allée de la Seine F Ivry sur Seine Cedex Tel. +33 (0) Fax +33 (0) Österreich Armstrong Metalldecken GmbH Bundesstrasse 70 A-6830 Rankweil Tel. +43 (0) Fax +43 (0) United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Armstrong World Industries Ltd. Building Products Division Armstrong House, 38 Market Square Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1NG United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0) Fax +44 (0) Nederland, België, Luxemburg Scandinavia Central & Eastern Europe Armstrong Metalldecken GmbH Bundesstrasse 70 A-6830 Rankweil Tel. +43 (0) Fax +43 (0) Middle East & Africa España, Portugal, Italia, Greece info@gema-ceilings.com