Prototypes put to the test

An important part of the development of the Vapawash handwashing unit from Duplex Cleaning Machines has been the biological testing programme, running parallel to the manufacturing process.

Duplex commissioned a series of tests carried out by the Infection Research Laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.Using a transient bacteria E coli K12 NCTC 10538 applied to the hands of 15 volunteers, in a series of tests the machine outperformed the reference test of a standard soft soap and a wash/rinse time combined of 75 seconds.

"Vapawash will offer a hand washing facility in areas of a building or outdoors where there is no water or drainage supply installed," says Kevin Scott, general manager of Duplex."To achieve Log10 reduction figures in excess of 4 represents a 99.99% kill rate against the tested media." The launch is early 2010.