Antimicrobial coating on locks and door hardware contains an antimicrobial agent which prevents bacteria and microbes from growing on the lock and other door hardware. The coating reduces the spread of germs and bacteria that cause disease, and this keeps the environment safe. In places such as schools, hospitals and offices, where there are a large number of people, there is a higher chance of infection spreading through surfaces which do not have antimicrobial protection. Thus an antimicrobial coating on door hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to kill and inhibit the growth of germs.
Antimicrobial coating on locks and door hardware
Antimicrobial coatings are most useful on door hardware including as locks (cylindrical, mortise, tubular locks), exit devices and other hardware such as door pulls and push plates. On locks, coating is generally applied on levers, roses, escutcheons, thumbturns, trim rings and cylinder face plates. On exit devices the coating is applied to the touchbar, touchbar rail, chassis cover, end cap, surface vertical rods and latch covers, as well as to trim components.
All major door hardware manufacturers offer antimicrobial coating on their products.
Note: Cylindrical locks with Antimicrobial Coating including the heavy duty cylindrical locks, PDQ XGT and PDQ GT are available and will be shipped immediately. Antimicrobial coating on other door hardware including mortise locks, door pulls and push plates requires a lead time since the factory needs to send the lock for coating.
What are the different Antimicrobial Coating Technologies?
The most common coating technology is the silver ion coating technology on locks and door hardware. For bacteria to grow, its cells grow by absorbing nutrients from the environment. Silver ion coating interrupts cell multiplication. Ionic silver coatings interact with the bonding sites on the microbe surface. The result is that the silver ions surround bacterial cells, blocking food and slowing the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
Another common coating is to use copper and its alloys like bronze, brass, copper-nickel-zinc and cupronickel.
Other coating methods include using graphene materials, polycationic hydrogel, polymer brushes and dendrimers.
What are the advantages of applying Antimicrobial Coating on Locks and Door Hardware?
1. Protection – Antimicrobial coatings when applied on door locks and door hardware provide protection from bacteria, fungus, mold and algae. This leads to increased health and cleanliness.
2. Reduce costs – With antimicrobial coating, do away with costs incurred due to spraying disinfectants on surfaces, and the labor involved in maintaining hygienic standards.
3. Increased lifespan – Objects on which antimicrobial coating is applied have a higher lifespan because of protection against discoloration, and damages that microbes can cause.
4. Add value – The presence of antimicrobial coating on locks and door hardware and surfaces is an excellent intangible benefit for any organization.
What are the disadvantages of applying Antimicrobial Coating on Locks and Door Hardware?
The most common disadvantage of using antimicrobial coating on locks is that it may degrade over time and emit ingredients which might harm the eco-system. In some antimicrobial coating technologies, the emitted particles might lead to drug-resisting bacteria.
Newer technologies, which mitigate such risks have been introduced or are in the process of being introduced.
FAQ about Antimicrobial Coating on Locks and Door Hardware
How to get antimicrobial coating on locks and door hardware?
Almost all major lock manufacturers give the option to choose an anti-microbial coating on their locks and door hardware. This comes at an additional nominal cost.
Is it expensive to get antimicrobial coating on locks?
Anti-microbial coating can be applied to your product at a nominal cost. In addition, using antimicrobial coating reduces maintenance and overhead costs of regularly cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces.
What door hardware other than locks can I get antimicrobial coating on?
You can get antimicrobial coating on almost all door hardware. It is recommended that you get anti-microbial coating on door hardware that is frequently touched (high traffic), such as locks, panic devices, panic trims, push plates, door pulls etc.
Which industries are best suited for antimicrobial coatings?
Think about applying it in commercial places in industries such as education, restaurants, childcare, government, healthcare, public buildings, restrooms and food services.
How does anti-microbial coating affect the physical characteristics of a lock?
Antimicrobial coatings on locks does not affect the physical characteristic of the lock. The coating is transparent, and does not discolor the surface on which it is applied. The only restriction might be that antimicrobial coatings are not available on many finishes.
Why use antimicrobial coatings when there are other germ killers such as disinfectants?
Disinfectants can be sprayed or applied on objects to prevent microbes. But disinfectants do not provide the longevity as compared to coatings. Disinfectants will have to be applied frequently. Further maintenance costs for purchasing disinfectants and spraying them will also have to be factored in
More Information – Read this article on Antimicrobial Coating on Locks written by door lock manufacturer PDQ Industries.