Escalator Handrail Sanitizer

Many people touch escalator handrails throughout the day, making it a prime place for the exchange of bacteria and other pathogens. People who are concerned about picking up a virus avoid holding the handrails, which puts them at risk of losing their balance and falling. It’s a safety hazard, and one that’s easily avoided by properly sanitizing the escalator handrails to ensure people feel safe using them.

See Test Results

The Clearwin Handrail Sanitizer Unit was designed as a continuous sanitizing system capable of killing up to 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria* with UV-C light. The system is lightweight and easy to install, and it requires little maintenance. Unlike traditional wipe-down methods of disinfecting and sanitizing, the Clearwin Escalator Sanitizer unit offers uninterrupted sanitization to ensure hygienic handrails throughout the day.

Product Features

Continuous Sanitization

Continuous and efficient sanitization along with escalator drive

UV-C Sanitization

99.9% sanitization rate against various bacteria on handrails*

Simple

Compact, lightweight design does not inconvenience travelers or interfere with escalator operation

Feasibility

Cost-effective and easy to install

Adjustable

It can be adjusted to fit all escalators

Self-Generation

Safe self-generation method without the danger of electrical accident

How It Works

The unit is comprised of a simple front plate and two side wall covers, which enclose a low-voltage internal generator. That generator supplies power to 10 UV-C sanitizing lamps which effectively eliminate various bacteria*, leaving escalator handrails continuously and safely sanitized for daily use. There is a horizontal blue indicator lens on the front plate, which indicates the unit is sanitizing while the escalator is in motion. Read more information about the operational mechanics here.

While chemical disinfectants cost money, require manual labor, and come in containers that must be sent to the landfill when the disinfectant is gone, the Clearwin system is cost-effective, safe, thorough, and it doesn’t contribute to waste or leave behind toxic residue. Compare the Clearwin Escalator Handrail Sanitizer to other traditional methods of disinfecting:

	Conventional Cleaning	Clearwin Escalator Handrail Sanitizer (UVC)
Cross Contamination	High risk of cross contamination from other surfaces	No risk
Effects on touch, odor, and appearance	Harsh chemicals often leave a residue on surfaces, causing discoloration, sticky surfaces, and unpleasant odors.	UVC light does not produce any residue or smell and doesn’t harm escalator handrails.
Cleaning spectrum	Not all disinfectants kill all types of microbes. Some leave a damp environment where germs can thrive.	UVC is effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and even algae. UVC is a dry method that doesn’t leave behind moisture.
Environmental footprint	Waste products from conventional cleaning have widely known detrimental effects on the environment, as well as high amounts of chemical and material waste (cloths, wipes).	It produces no waste products and is 100% self-powered from the kinetic energy of the escalator.
Creation of super bugs and resistance	Improper cleaning techniques can result in bacteria becoming more resistant to disinfectants and antibiotics. Some chemicals used to kill bacteria could make them stronger.	It emits a consistent amount of UVC light equally across the surface of the escalator handrail and to the sides where fingers naturally go.
Labor demand	High cost and time consuming	Once installed, the Clearwin UVC light powers itself and sanitizes for 10,000 operational hours, much less than hourly labor costs.
Aesthetic	Manual cleaning is not always visible and is disruptive to users.	It provides constant visible reassurance with no disruption to users.
Toxicity	Harsh chemicals used in conventional cleaning can cause irritation when inhaled or exposed to skin and eyes.	UVC light is a physical non-toxic process, which is why it is widely used for sanitizing food prep areas.

Understanding UV-C Technology

The Clearwin system uses UV-C technology to effectively eliminate various bacteria*.

What is UV-C?

There are three types of ultraviolet rays: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, which are classified according to their wavelength. We’re most familiar with UV-A and UV-B rays, as these are the ones that penetrate the atmosphere to cause sunburn and skin aging. Most UV-C rays are blocked by the atmosphere; however, these are the rays that can kill viruses and bacteria. UV-C light has been trusted since the 1930s for sanitization in homes, hospitals, and industrial settings.

Our UV-C rays have a wavelength of 260-270 nm, which is considered the most effective for sanitization purposes given the current technology.

How Does UV-C Sanitizing Work?

UV-C light is a powerful tool against viruses and bacteria. It destroys the DNA and RNA structure in living cells, rendering them inactive, and it works against even the toughest “superbugs” that have developed resistance to antibiotics. This technology has been in use for nearly a century, and today, UV-C light is often installed in HVAC systems to purify the air as it circulates through a building.

Clearwin Testing

For decades, UV-C rays have been shown to kill germs and bacteria. Still, Clearwin conducted additional testing to ensure the escalator handrail sanitizer unit would be effective. Indeed, test results indicated that within 30 revolutions of use, bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were effectively eliminated.

Applications

The Clearwin Escalator Handrail Sanitizer can be used on escalators in a variety of settings:

Malls and shopping centers
Apartment complexes
Hotels
Stadiums
Convention centers
Office buildings
Train and subway stations
Airports

Innovative Technology From Clearwin

With easy installation, hassle-free maintenance, and low running costs (less than the cost of a cup of coffee per day), the Clearwin Escalator Handrail Sanitization system is an easy, cost-effective way to keep your handrails free from harmful bacteria. UV-C sanitization continues to find new applications, and we’re proud to bring this technology to handrails—something hundreds or even thousands of people are in contact with every day. Contact us to learn more about UV-C sanitizing and how to maintain hygienic handrails with Clearwin.

Also, check out our other lines of UV-C sanitizing products.

*efficacy data available upon request