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FSG & NATSO: Partnering on Cleaner Air & Disinfection for Truck Stops

FSG provides new disinfection products at competitive pricing for NATSO members .

Anyone who has stood and stared at an empty grocery store shelf during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic can tell you how important interstate trucking is to them. 

The folks at the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) (www.natso.com) understand that the only thing more important than interstate trucking is, well, interstate truckers.

That’s why NATSO has taken a leading role in assisting the travel plaza and truck stop industry as it works to support the trucks and drivers that keep our nation moving during good and bad times.

To support that commitment, NATSO has partnered with FSG to provide the very latest Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization (NPBI) air sanitizing technology to support essential travel plaza and truckstop operators.

Bi-polar ionization inactivates airborne viruses and other pathogens

Peer-reviewed, widely-published studies have shown that bi-polar ionization is  effective against SARS, norovirus, and the flu. Many leading experts believe that wider adoption could help turn the tide against the latest novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as well. 

The technology is available for installation within commercial and public facilities today, and it integrates seamlessly with currently-installed HVAC systems.

FSG has successfully installed NPBI systems for clients nationwide.

How does bi-polar ionization work?

Bipolar ionization technology uses electric voltage to convert oxygen molecules to charged atoms that inactivate airborne contaminants. These negatively and positively charged atoms, called ions, are effective against viruses, bacteria, and mold.

As a bonus, they also neutralize volatile organic compounds, odors, and allergy-causing dander. Ions are naturally present in pristine air, but pollution and other human activity deplete them.

Depending on the contaminant, bi-polar ionization replaces these charged particles with non-volatile gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Bi-polar ionization inactivates airborne pathogens in two main ways. First, in the case of mold, bacteria, dust, and other common compounds, the charged particles surround the contaminant and break it down. In the case of viruses, the ions induce a chemical reaction on the surface of the virus which destroys the cell membrane

The ions envelop the COVID-19 virus and puncture the protein spikes on its membrane, neutralizing them.

Once the ions attach themselves to contaminants in the air, the enlarged particles are easily and effectively trapped by HVAC system filters. The ionic load also makes some particles heavy enough to fall to surfaces where they can be cleaned away or further inactivated.

The technology breaks down volatile organic compounds and other odorous particles into carbon dioxide and water. The result is pure-smelling air that appeals to users of commercial and public spaces.

Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization

As effective as bi-polar ionization has been in cleaning the air within closed spaces, one drawback to traditional systems has been the higher ozone levels resulting from the process.

A more advanced technology, called Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI),  has emerged in recent years to address this concern.  The NPBI technology available from FSG has been certified by UL 867 and UL 2998 as ozone-free.  Furthermore, the technology has been tested on Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and test results showed a 99.4% inactivation of viral particles at 30 minutes under conditions replicating an occupied building.

NBPI provides fast and continuous microbe inactivation in climate-controlled spaces. Even 10 minutes of exposure to NPBI drops virus levels by 84 percent.

Further studies are required for reproducibility testing, as well as to establish variations in environment and environmental factors. The full test results are here: NPBI test results.

The technology adds a potent layer of protection to existing measures. It doesn’t replace public health practices such as washing hands, social distancing, and wearing face-coverings.

The improvements in bipolar ionization technology have resulted in more benefits than just cleaner air.

Today’s NPBI units are modular and scalable, making them cost-effective for all types of facilities. NPBI also helps reduce energy load by mitigating the level of filtering needed in a facility’s HVAC system.

NPBI Install | Source: FSG

Commercial Use

Many large institutions are already using NPBI technology, including government buildings, schools, airports, and medical centers across the U.S.

The safest NPBI devices produce no byproducts such as chemicals or ozone. They don’t create crosstalk or electromagnetic interference and can be located near sensitive equipment. Installation is straightforward, and maintenance is minimal.

Most importantly, when used in addition to other standard public safety measures, NBPI can immediately and dramatically improve the indoor air quality and the overall safety of truck stop facilities.

Retrofitting Existing Systems

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated business interest in retrofitting HVAC systems with NPBI.

Several straightforward and cost-effective configurations exist for a range of facilities. For maximum air coverage, one option is to install the NPBI unit in the HVAC system on the filter’s supply side.

The supply duct is another possible location, where the ions sanitize the duct on their way to the target space. A third option is to attach the unit to a room’s heat pump or fan coil. For larger areas, the NPBI device can reside inside a central HVAC system.

Regardless of the specific configuration required for your particular truck stop or travel plaza, FSG technicians have experience installing the NPBI system that’s right for you.

Going the Extra Mile for Truck Stop Operators

Public and commercial facilities are major COVID-19 battlefronts, but the air carrying the virus can also help defeat it.

As we stated, NPBI technology offers a safe, UL 2998 ozone-free, cost-effective solution that integrates with existing HVAC systems to provide continuous decontamination.

Its scalability suits buildings of all sizes and occupancy needs, and the public health benefits of the technology make the case for continued adoption compelling.

For essential business owners like NATSO members, NPBI represents a quick and affordable solution that ensures continued business success.

NATSO & FSG – A Partnership You Can Trust

For almost 4 decades, FSG has been a single-source provider of lighting and electrical products and services. In 2020, FSG has again been ranked as one of the top 15 Electrical Contractors in the U.S.

Through our partnership with NATSO, we are able to provide unique access to products from major manufacturers along with turnkey services, all at competitive pricing for NATSO members.

For more information on the latest developments in NPBI technology, visit the Ionization solutions page. You can also call us at (512) 886-1258 or fill out the form below if you have any questions!

Ionization Form

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