FAQ

1. Purpose of STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS

1.1 What is STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is a water-based, long-lasting antimicrobial coating (see 1.2. for explanation of ‘antimicrobial’) that is offered as an easy to apply spray product. It is suitable on most hard surfaces such as stainless steel, aluminium, plastics and wood.

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS offers continuous antimicrobial protection and is highly effective against many viruses and bacteria including Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) MERS, Influenza A, MRSA and E. Coli.

1.2 What is an antimicrobial product?

An antimicrobial product has the ability to significantly reduce the number of microbes (such as bacteria and viruses) that are present on a surface.

An antimicrobial works against a wide spectrum of microbes including bacteria and viruses.

An antibacterial is only effective against bacteria.

1.3 What are the advantages of using STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is active immediately after application and ensures a >99.9% reduction in viral and bacterial activity in hard to clean and frequently touched surfaces.

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS does not replace the need for manual cleaning, but is intended to enhance existing hygiene protocols.

As STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is continuously active, it offers optimal protection between scheduled manual cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

2. Benefits provided by STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS

2.1 Reduction of microbes on the surface

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS provides over >99.9 reduction in most microbes including SARS-CoV-2 on the protected surface for up to 6 months.

2.2 Enhanced infection control

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS reduces the opportunity for cross contamination of frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, touch screens, handrails, elevator controls etc.

By effectively eliminating infection & odour releasing bacteria, surfaces stay clean and fresh which helps to maintain hygiene standards.

2.3 Creates an easy to clean surface

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS applies a hard coating on the surface. The smooth texture prevents dirt adhesion and ensures the surface is easy to clean.

When applied to high gloss surfaces such as stainless steel, STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS reduces the effect of fingerprints, hence requiring less cleaning.

Stainless steel sinks and chrome plated taps will experience reduced staining from the effects of calcium deposits in hard water.

2.4 Cleaning after applying STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS

After application, the coating needs to cure for at least 12 hours but preferably 24 hours before cleaning the surface. Test results show that de sustainability lasts 4 times longer after 24 hours drying instead of 12 hours. Do not clean STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS with alcohol/solvents and/or disinfectants. Cleaning products based on alcohol affect every surface as well as STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS. Cleaning with disinfectants is also unnecessary, just cleaning with an environmentally friendly cleaner is sufficient.

2.5 Scratch resistant surface

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS has a Taber Wear Factor rating of 51.9, which makes it a similar hardness to the paint used for road marking which is driven over many times each day. This ensures that STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS provides protection on frequently touched surfaces.

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS copes with any natural expansion, contraction, and movement of the base material without cracking or peeling away from the surface that it has been applied to.

2.6 Can STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS be removed?

Yes, removing the STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS coating is possible by applying alcohol or solvent based products. An abrasive sponge can be helpful. Please be aware of damaging the original surface. Particularly plastics and paints are not resistant against cleaners with alcohol and solvents.

3. Technology of STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS

3.1 How does STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS work?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is a crystal-clear water-based spray coating that incorporates silver ions.

As soon as the coating is sufficiently cured, the surface is continuously protected and actively targeting viruses and bacteria that contact the surface. The silver ions work at a cellular level to disrupt and halt the growth of microorganisms or by eradicating them completely.

3.2 How long does the protection last?

As long as STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is applied on the surface, the STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS technology will be continuously active. Surfaces that are touched frequently and subject to regular chemical cleaning or abrasive processes need to be regularly treated to ensure the thickness of the coating is maintained.

3.3 Why is silver used as an antimicrobial?

Small silver particles release silver ions. It is these silver ions that attack various locations on bacterial cells, both externally & internally. These targeted attacks have the following goals in mind:

To inhibit the cells ability to reproduce
To cause the cell to die.

Even cells that have mutated and are resistant to certain antibiotics, are still targeted, disrupted or destroyed.

Silver ions achieve these goals utilizing the following types of attack:

Halts/reduces the cell DNA’s ability to replicate
Destroys or damages the cells membrane
Halts/reduces enzyme production

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS targets a very broad spectrum of medically relevant bacteria, both gram-positive & gram-negative and will even deactivate some viruses. Silver ions are antimicrobial at very low doses, as low as 0.001 ppm (1.0 ppb).

3.4 How to check if the coating is still active?

Presence and condition of the antimicrobial coating can be identified via UV light.

4. Where to use, how to apply and value for money

4.1 Where can STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS be used?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is suitable for most any hard surfaces including metals, plastics, wood, painted surfaces, powder-coat, laminates, ceramics and much more.

The clear coating will not affect the colour of the treated surface. Please note this product is not designed to be applied on furnishings or other soft surfaces.

4.2 How is STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS applied?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is easy to apply by cleaners or maintenance staff using a lint free cloth.

Spray the STAY SAFE CLEANER on the surface or item you wish to protect. Clean the surface thoroughly removing all dirt and grease.
Spray the STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS over 80% of the surface and on the water dampened microfibre cloth.
Spread gently and evenly over the surface.
Leave to dry, the surface is dry in 15 minutes. After 3-4 hours, the surface can be touched gently. The coating needs to cure further. The first cleaning no earlier than 12 hours after applying. The coating is cured after 24 hours.
Once the coating is dry, the surface is antimicrobial.
Presence of the antimicrobial coating can be identified with a UV light.

Note – for smaller areas it is easier to spray STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS onto the application cloth rather than directly onto the surface.

Note – the microfibre cloth needs to become saturated with the STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS so that it spreads evenly over the surface being treated. Starting by coating a large flat horizontal surface – such as a desk top – will assist with saturating the cloth with the product.

4.3 What surface size does a 500ml bottle protect?

STAY SAFE CLEANER – 500ml is sufficient for around 70m² of surface.
STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS – 500ml is sufficient for around 50m² of surface.

4.4 Is specialised equipment required to apply STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS?

As STAY SAFE CLEANER and STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS are water-based products, there is no special equipment required for application.

We recommend a lint free microfibre cloth for application.

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is non-flammable and environmentally friendly. In line with health and safety protocols gloves and eye protection should be worn, but there is no necessity to wear a mask or breathing equipment, as STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS contains a very low VOC content.

4.6 Is STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS expensive?

STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS provides a high-performance antimicrobial surface on which mold, bacteria and viruses cannot survive. STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS is water-based and environmentally friendly. The coating is user-friendly for the cleaning staff and it is no longer needed to repeatedly disinfect every surface. As a result, cleaners can be deployed more efficiently, allowing costs to be saved.

Whilst a scheduled cleaning regime still needs to be followed, cleaning of the treated surfaces can be carried out using warm water instead of strong chemicals that are expensive, often require specialised PPE, and can be damaging to the environment.

5. Testing & Certification

5.1 What testing has been done with STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS?

Extensive independent testing has been carried out to confirm the efficacy and performance of STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS. A summary of this is detailed below.

The scope of the testing has been focused on the following essential areas: –

Antimicrobial efficacy against common viruses and bacteria

Longevity of the coating when scrubbed and cleaned with strong chemicals

Testing carried out by Industrial Microbiological Services Ltd laboratory for antimicrobial activity

ISO 21702 test – SARS-CoV-2 & coronavirus, MERS, Influenza A = 99.99% reduction
ISO 22196 test – E. coli = 99.90% reduction
ISO 22196 test – MRSA = 99.91% reduction
ISO 22196 test – Staph aureus = 99.91% reduction

Testing carried out by Vismederi Textyle Italy for antiviral activity

ISO 21702:2019 test – SARS-CoV-2_COV2019 ITALY/INM1 = 96,84% reduction

Testing carried out by QualityLabs BT GmbH laboratory for antimicrobial activity

ISO 22196 test – Salmonelle typhimurium = 99.99% reduction
ISO 22196 test – Legionelle pneumophila = 99.90% reduction

Testing carried out by Dercom Coating Innovations to determine if chemical cleaning affects the coating

Effect of 5,000 ppm chlorine bleach on STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS treated surface with regard to the hardness of the coating and the level of gloss

Conclusion of testing is that this strength of bleach (typically 10 times higher than manufacturers guidelines) will not damage the STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS coating even with 60 minutes of contact time.

Testing carried out by Dercom Coating Innovations to determine the wet scrub resistance of STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS

ISO 11998 test – After 200 scrubs with a wet microfibre cloth there was no reduction in the coating thickness
ISO 11998 test – After 400 scrub cycles with a wet microfibre cloth there was no reduction in the coating thickness

Conclusion of testing in accordance with the DIN EN 13300 standard STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS achieves Class 1 classification.

Testing carried out by RISE, Research Institute Sweden AB

Emission measurement according to ISO 16000-9:2006

Measurement of antibacterial activity ISO 22196:2011-

5.2 Is STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS effective against Coronaviruses such as SARS-COV-2?

Yes – tested to ISO 21702 standard by IMSL laboratory with 99.99% reduction in antimicrobial activity

5.3 Is STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS safe for animals, food preparation areas and children?

Yes, once the coating is dry there is no risk in these areas. It is water based, non-flammable, low VOC content and safe for use indoors and in public places.

5.4 What approvals does STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS have?

Main specifications of the ingredients of STAY SAFE SEMI GLOSS have approvals from:

EPA # 71227-1 (EC)
FDA # CFR 176 & 170)
NSF standard 51
EC # 603-404-0

6. Copyrights, disclaimer & trademarks

6.1 Copyright Notice

Copyright Notice:

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Disclaimer:

The content of this document, including all its content, schedules and appendices is provided for general information and illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely on.

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Last updated 2021-07-14