SALTO delivers added protection thanks to BioCote anti-microbial technology

The addition of BioCote’s anti-microbial technology helps reduce microbes on door handles and improves hygiene in buildings by creating a cleaner and more hygienic environment for both users and visitors.

“The more hygienic the handle set, the less chance of cross-contamination,” commented Aznar Sethna, chief sales and marketing officer at SALTO Systems. “This helps to reduce the spread of microbes around a building as microbes are not transferred from door to door and surface to surface. We have long seen and offered the benefits of having BioCote added to our electronic lock products to contribute towards customers' existing cleaning and hygiene regimes.”

BioCote has successfully tested against a feline strain of Coronavirus, showing a reduction of 90% in two hours, which is a positive indicator of the anti-viral properties of its technology. Previous testing has revealed that BioCote delivers 99.9%, 24/7 protection against an array of microbes including Influenza A H1N1, E.coli, Salmonella and antibiotic-resistant CRE, VRE and MRSA. BioCote cannot be wiped or worn away and thus enhances hygiene management, while also reducing the possibility of cross-contamination.

SALTO BioCote anti-microbial protection consists of silver ion technology which is integrated during the manufacturing process. SALTO added BioCote as a standard additive for all the plastic devices it produces as well as with the new XS4 Locker Lock BLE. SALTO also offers BioCote as an option on its complete line of electronic locks and online wall readers.

Reducing contamination levels

“Our research findings continue to show the positive impact of having anti-microbial coatings on our smart-locking product range with regards to reducing levels of bacterial contamination,” explained Sethna. “BioCote silver ion technology significantly reduces the level of microbes on SALTO escutcheons and door handles by up to 99.99% which is an incredible achievement.”

The finish of BioCote-treated smart door lock hardware differs slightly from that of standard finish escutcheons due to the mix of lacquer and silver ion particles. On wall readers, locker locks and lock readers, it's deemed to be invisible. The finish is long-lasting and maintains its anti-microbial performance over the expected lifetime of the products.

Current UK government guidelines recommend regular cleaning to minimise the spread of microbes in all types of building. However, beyond regular cleaning, little consideration has been given to alternate or non-traditional methods for limiting the potential for cross-contamination within a public environment. By effectively reducing a broad spectrum of microbes by up to 99.9%, BioCote anti-microbial technology provides integrated and lasting hygienic protection that supports regular cleaning regimes and hand hygiene.

“SALTO has been an innovative leader in electronic access control technology for two decades now and we are just as proud to have been equally as advanced when it comes to the hygienic properties of our products,” concluded Sethna.

*SALTO has published a White Paper that discusses the use of BioCote anti-microbial technology on access control solutions. To download the document visit: https://mcusercontent.com/46e9204e00bbde86637ea9871/files/2c486ff4-ceb1-43fc-b806-2e77ed46ddc8/SALTO_BioCote_2020_V3.pdf