FAQ
Can I decontaminate N95 Masks with this technology?
Yes. Please contact us for more information, protocols, and guidance through the process.
Is this product applicable to ambulances, police cars, busses, vans, and trains?
Yes. We have customers using our fogger in all of these applications. Please contact us for protocols and procedures.
Why do I need to use a BI to prove efficacy of my fogger?
When you are fighting something you can’t see, biological indicators are your go-to method for visible efficacy. They take the guessing out of your process with science-based evidence telling you the treatment area has achieved the level of disinfection or sterilization you think you are getting. It is also the method approved and used by the EPA to validate fogging devices. We recommend pairing our device with geobacillus stearothermophilus because it is a bacterial spore which is extremely resistant to chemical disinfection. In fact, some studies find it to be 2-3 times harder to kill than c.diff. We aim for this level of organism to provide the most thorough level of treatment possible (see Spaulding chart).
How many BIs do I need to use?
We recommend placing at least one BI in the treatment area to be exposed to fog and then retrieving it after pulse (up to 30 min).
Why don’t chemical strips work?
They actually do work. However, they are not the best indicator for a 6 log reduction. Chemical indicator strips are not an indication of efficacy, only an indication of the presence of active ingredient expo- sure. In fact, it is not uncommon for indicator strips to turn “black” even when efficacy is not achieved. For this reason, relying on chemical indicator strips is an inaccurate measurement of success.
Do you kill Parvo?
Parvo is in the category of non-enveloped virus (halfway up the Spaulding chart). Although we do not have a specific kill claim for this organism, we can feel confident we will achieve success here if we follow the Spaulding hierarchy. Any treatments should be tested with biological indicators.
What is the actual procedure for fogging from beginning to end?
1) Turn off HVAC to create a sealed environment. If not possible to turn off HVAC, seal vents with pop up vent covers. Be sure to cover any smoke detectors.
2) Place biological indicators in the space to be treated.
3) Measure the space and input the dimensions in the tablet or manual display panel.
Ensure you have added enough solution.
4) Place the fogger in the treatment area pointing it in the direction of the furthest corner
of the room.
5) If operating manually, press and hold the start button, then leave the room within 60
seconds.
6) Close the door behind you and monitor the fogger's progress through the tablet/APP.
Room re entry after 1PPM over 8hrs TWA. Or wait three hours before room re entry. If desired, plug a secondary
dissipation unit into the outlet on the unit to automatically turn on after the device has finished its fogging cycle.
7) Uncover any smoke detectors. Retrieve the BI and incubate in the corresponding soy broth at 57C for 24 hrs.
How long will a complete fog take?
The fog cycle will vary depending on cubic feet being treated. The treatment time may be anywhere from 35 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the room size you can do?
Each space is different and needs to be tested with biological indicators for the maximum treatment area. The fogger has a range up to 10,000 cubic feet and all devices regulated by the EPA demonstrates efficacy up to 3670 cubic feet.
Do I still need to clean my room prior to fogging?
Yes. All fogging devices are designed to be used as an adjunct to cleaning first. This is because cleaning removes the dirt and grime layers so that the disinfection can kill the exposed germs. Even though the fogger is proven efficacious in biofilm cleaning is still the first step to disinfection of any kind.
Can I leave electronics in the room?
YES! What type of surfaces do I need to remove and what can I leave? Paper? Linens? Curtains? The fogger is designed to deliver a dry fogging treatment which is safe to use around electronics. All paper, linens, and curtains should be left in place so that they benefit from exposure to the fogging treatment. However, if there are MRI devices or any other sophisticated equipment you are concerned with treating, then consult manufacturer before use.
Does the fog get under the fogger?
Yes, the fogger sits off the “floor” on four points so that the fog can treat under the fogger.
Can this fog my vents in a BSL 3 facility?
Yes, we have learned through the Baker study and in multiple in-field treatments that treating the HVAC with the hydrogen peroxide system is very beneficial.
Are there any harmful residues from the fogging?
The System does not contain harmful chemical or silver residues that may damage or influence research.
Does the area I fog need to be completely dry?
It is best to have the treatment area be dry before beginning the fog cycle as optimal relative humidity is 50% and below.
Will the fog penetrate water or liquid?
This is unknown; however, there are promising results on a wet biofilm study currently under development demonstrating efficacy in the presence of water. Currently, there is not a fogging or vapor device on the market that has tested this application. Stay tuned for our next study on biofilm in water to see the results.
Will my room come out dry?
The treated area should never be wet after the treatment cycle. In fact, the papers and absorbent materials will not warp or dampen after the treatment cycle.
Why not just use a Quat when I need to wash down a room?
Quaternary ammonium are useful tools for cleaning a room. They have excellent ability to produce a slippery surface which enables the removal of dirt and grime . However, any residues left behind may also be very good reservoirs for the growth of non-enveloped viruses and gram negative bacteria (ex.Parvo/ Helicobacter, respectively) if not washed away.
Do you kill VRE?
VRE is a gram positive bacteria which has developed resistance to Vancomycin antibiotic. Success on surface inactivation of this bacteria would be predicted due to the fogger's success on bacterial spores (Baker study,2018) according to the Spaulding classification hierarchy. Testing the cycle with a Biological Indicator will provide confidence for treating VRE.
Can I fog my caging systems?
Yes, this is an excellent application since cages are difficult to clean properly and prone to missed areas. Using the fog to treat the cages will enable disinfection in all the nooks and crevices which may have been missed by routine cleaning.
Are there any pathogens you cannot kill?
We have not tested higher level organisms then bacterial spores: ex. prions and therefore can not offer guidance on efficacy against those organisms.
Yes. Please contact us for more information, protocols, and guidance through the process.
Is this product applicable to ambulances, police cars, busses, vans, and trains?
Yes. We have customers using our fogger in all of these applications. Please contact us for protocols and procedures.
Why do I need to use a BI to prove efficacy of my fogger?
When you are fighting something you can’t see, biological indicators are your go-to method for visible efficacy. They take the guessing out of your process with science-based evidence telling you the treatment area has achieved the level of disinfection or sterilization you think you are getting. It is also the method approved and used by the EPA to validate fogging devices. We recommend pairing our device with geobacillus stearothermophilus because it is a bacterial spore which is extremely resistant to chemical disinfection. In fact, some studies find it to be 2-3 times harder to kill than c.diff. We aim for this level of organism to provide the most thorough level of treatment possible (see Spaulding chart).
How many BIs do I need to use?
We recommend placing at least one BI in the treatment area to be exposed to fog and then retrieving it after pulse (up to 30 min).
Why don’t chemical strips work?
They actually do work. However, they are not the best indicator for a 6 log reduction. Chemical indicator strips are not an indication of efficacy, only an indication of the presence of active ingredient expo- sure. In fact, it is not uncommon for indicator strips to turn “black” even when efficacy is not achieved. For this reason, relying on chemical indicator strips is an inaccurate measurement of success.
Do you kill Parvo?
Parvo is in the category of non-enveloped virus (halfway up the Spaulding chart). Although we do not have a specific kill claim for this organism, we can feel confident we will achieve success here if we follow the Spaulding hierarchy. Any treatments should be tested with biological indicators.
What is the actual procedure for fogging from beginning to end?
1) Turn off HVAC to create a sealed environment. If not possible to turn off HVAC, seal vents with pop up vent covers. Be sure to cover any smoke detectors.
2) Place biological indicators in the space to be treated.
3) Measure the space and input the dimensions in the tablet or manual display panel.
Ensure you have added enough solution.
4) Place the fogger in the treatment area pointing it in the direction of the furthest corner
of the room.
5) If operating manually, press and hold the start button, then leave the room within 60
seconds.
6) Close the door behind you and monitor the fogger's progress through the tablet/APP.
Room re entry after 1PPM over 8hrs TWA. Or wait three hours before room re entry. If desired, plug a secondary
dissipation unit into the outlet on the unit to automatically turn on after the device has finished its fogging cycle.
7) Uncover any smoke detectors. Retrieve the BI and incubate in the corresponding soy broth at 57C for 24 hrs.
How long will a complete fog take?
The fog cycle will vary depending on cubic feet being treated. The treatment time may be anywhere from 35 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the room size you can do?
Each space is different and needs to be tested with biological indicators for the maximum treatment area. The fogger has a range up to 10,000 cubic feet and all devices regulated by the EPA demonstrates efficacy up to 3670 cubic feet.
Do I still need to clean my room prior to fogging?
Yes. All fogging devices are designed to be used as an adjunct to cleaning first. This is because cleaning removes the dirt and grime layers so that the disinfection can kill the exposed germs. Even though the fogger is proven efficacious in biofilm cleaning is still the first step to disinfection of any kind.
Can I leave electronics in the room?
YES! What type of surfaces do I need to remove and what can I leave? Paper? Linens? Curtains? The fogger is designed to deliver a dry fogging treatment which is safe to use around electronics. All paper, linens, and curtains should be left in place so that they benefit from exposure to the fogging treatment. However, if there are MRI devices or any other sophisticated equipment you are concerned with treating, then consult manufacturer before use.
Does the fog get under the fogger?
Yes, the fogger sits off the “floor” on four points so that the fog can treat under the fogger.
Can this fog my vents in a BSL 3 facility?
Yes, we have learned through the Baker study and in multiple in-field treatments that treating the HVAC with the hydrogen peroxide system is very beneficial.
Are there any harmful residues from the fogging?
The System does not contain harmful chemical or silver residues that may damage or influence research.
Does the area I fog need to be completely dry?
It is best to have the treatment area be dry before beginning the fog cycle as optimal relative humidity is 50% and below.
Will the fog penetrate water or liquid?
This is unknown; however, there are promising results on a wet biofilm study currently under development demonstrating efficacy in the presence of water. Currently, there is not a fogging or vapor device on the market that has tested this application. Stay tuned for our next study on biofilm in water to see the results.
Will my room come out dry?
The treated area should never be wet after the treatment cycle. In fact, the papers and absorbent materials will not warp or dampen after the treatment cycle.
Why not just use a Quat when I need to wash down a room?
Quaternary ammonium are useful tools for cleaning a room. They have excellent ability to produce a slippery surface which enables the removal of dirt and grime . However, any residues left behind may also be very good reservoirs for the growth of non-enveloped viruses and gram negative bacteria (ex.Parvo/ Helicobacter, respectively) if not washed away.
Do you kill VRE?
VRE is a gram positive bacteria which has developed resistance to Vancomycin antibiotic. Success on surface inactivation of this bacteria would be predicted due to the fogger's success on bacterial spores (Baker study,2018) according to the Spaulding classification hierarchy. Testing the cycle with a Biological Indicator will provide confidence for treating VRE.
Can I fog my caging systems?
Yes, this is an excellent application since cages are difficult to clean properly and prone to missed areas. Using the fog to treat the cages will enable disinfection in all the nooks and crevices which may have been missed by routine cleaning.
Are there any pathogens you cannot kill?
We have not tested higher level organisms then bacterial spores: ex. prions and therefore can not offer guidance on efficacy against those organisms.