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How to fully Sanitize and Decontaminate After a Virus Outbreak
Successful sanitization, and decontamination of a building that has had a recent outbreak of coronavirus, is a specialist job. Understanding the newest pandemic coronavirus disease COVID-19 allows all of us to create better coronavirus disinfection and decontamination protocols, use better chemicals to sanitize, and better understand all the needs for quarantine, which definitely allows us for more successful decontamination and to prevents contamination in the very first place.
Disinfection and Sanitizing Commercial Office Cleaning Services in Toronto
Where do you start when it comes to decontaminating COVID-19 when an outbreak occurs in a commercial building? Until further information is produced, the guidance for disinfection is being based on the past successful decontamination techniques used for previous strains of coronavirus.
Best practice is to consider worst case scenarios and always can the professionals, as cutting corners could be risking infection.
Some of the questions to ask with any virus decontamination project are;
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What areas were infected people in?
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Who have they come in contact with, and what areas do those people occupy?
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What type of HVAC system is in the building?
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What is the design of the ductwork?
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What are the high traffic areas in the building?
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What are the main areas of ingress and egress?
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How quickly does the building need to be operational?
As mentioned above, bringing in the proper industry experts would be advised to sanitize. These experts should include an engineer who is familiar with the construction of the building, an Industrial Hygienist who is specialized in virus and bacteria decontamination to write the overall protocol and provide testing services, and a decontamination company that has experience with proper personal protective equipment use and proper training to sanitize.
The method of cleaning, decontamination process, personal protection equipment, and other items will vary based on guidance from the CDC and the protocol developed by the Industrial Hygienist. However, the moving parts of the project should be generally completed in this order:
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Secure the property and set Hot, Warm, and Cold contamination zones
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Turn off HVAC system and seal the ducting
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Set equipment to control the ambient conditions
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Thorough cleaning of the contaminated areas
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Disinfecting of the contaminated areas
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Cleaning of the HVAC and duct system
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Testing of areas as they are cleared
What Should Be Used To Kill The Virus?
While the use of hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitize should get the coronavirus inert, the cleaning step is extremely important. The dirtier surfaces are the lesser effective the disinfectant can be. Deep cleaning on surfaces prior to disinfecting is the most correct way to decontaminate and will definitely result in a more successful decontamination project. After deep cleaning, applying the right disinfectant to the surface will kill any virus that might remain.
According to current research, coronavirus can be killed on non-porous surfaces with readily-available solutions that contain the following concentrations of chemicals, among others:
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62-72% ethanol (alcohol)
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.5% hydrogen peroxide
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.1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
An additional list of EPA approved products can be found on the CDC website. These chemicals can be found in various cleaning products available to consumers to sanitize, but it is important that they are of the proper concentration. If you decide to attempt disinfection yourself, be sure to read the product’s label and follow the instructions, use the proper protective gear, and remember to keep the product wet on the surface for at least 1 minute. For public buildings, especially in the case of severe outbreaks, it’s best to contact a professional virus decontamination company to sanitize.
What To Do in Case Virus infection
Because COVID-19 is very new, researchers and the government don’t have all the facts and they are relying on past figures in order to determine how to manage COVID-19. However, based on all historical coronaviruses with very similar characteristics, we can make sure educated decisions and it is no reason to panic. By treating COVID-19 with very slightly more caution than the flu, practicing a very good hygiene process to sanitize by washing hands frequently, and staying home if you feeling sick, you can help prevent this type of infection.
If you have an outbreak at your business, don’t treat it lightly and call the right people to help with decontamination. Should you attempt virus decontamination and disinfection on your own, make sure to use the right disinfectants and allow enough dwell time. This strain could live for extended periods of time on surfaces, so clean and disinfect frequently touched areas such as doorknobs daily.
We offer 24/7 emergency virus decontamination and disinfection services in Toronto and the GTA including Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, and more!
GTA Restoration now offers priority Virus Sanitization & Decontamination Services in Toronto and GTA. for all public spaces, businesses, churches, hotels, condominiums, municipalities, nursing homes, and government buildings including libraries, office spaces, and more!
GTA Restoration is also equipped with state-of-the-art HEPA filters and Hydroxyl Generator Air Treatment Systems for all your commercial restoration services.
We will continue to post to the GTARestoration.net blog,
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Sanitizing & Disinfection, 3 Keys to Combating the Virus Contamination, Virus Guidance for Commercial or Residential Buildings, Mold Removal Ottawa, Office Disinfecting & Sanitizing Service, 
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