Infection control and prevention continue to be serious challenges to public health officials in a variety of environments including hospitals, schools, transportation, retail, restaurants, hospitality, and more. We are proud to be able to help combat these issues by offering products that can reduce the amount of bacteria on your touch surfaces. Through our partnership with Trimco, we offer their full line of Healthy Hardware® made from copper alloys that has been proven to continuously kill bacteria* – day and night, between touches, and between cleanings.
What are Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® Products Made From?
Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® products are manufactured from specially formulated copper alloys that are registered by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When cleaned regularly, these copper alloys have been proven to kill 99.9% of the most virulent bacteria,* within two hours of exposure.
How Does Copper Protect Against Germs?
Copper doesn’t just kill pathogens, it can destroy them, meaning there is no chance for mutation. When influenzas, bacteria (ex. E. coli), or superbugs (ex. MRSA) land on most hard surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel, they can live for days or even months. But when they land on copper, they begin to die within minutes and are undetectable within hours*. Routine cleaning to remove dirt and grime is still necessary, but this is essentially the only thing required for the surfaces to kill bacteria continuously.
Can Copper Protect Against Coronaviruses, Including SARS-CoV-2?
Initial research has shown that copper could potentially help fight against the new coronavirus. Studies performed by the New England Journal of Medicine and the University of Southhampton found that on plastic and stainless steel surfaces SARS-CoV-2 was detected up to 72 hours. On copper surfaces, no viable SARS-CoV-2 was measured after 4 hours.
Do Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® Products Contain an Antimicrobial Coating?
No; there is no coating that could wear off over time. Healthy Hardware® products are made from an all-natural, solid copper-based alloy that will last for the life of the product. They have continuous antibacterial* action and remain effective even after repeated wet/ dry abrasion and re-contamination.
How Safe is Copper?
Copper is safe to use; it is not harmful to people or the environment. Copper is inherently antimicrobial, and no chemicals are added. It is also completely recyclable.
Have Copper Alloys Been Tested by the EPA?
Yes; Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® uses copper alloys from “CuVerro” that have been put through rigorous GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) testing by the EPA to evaluate their effectiveness in killing bacteria responsible for many hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
There are three GLP test protocols used to support the EPA registration of antimicrobial copper alloys with public health claims and associated findings:
- Efficacy as a Sanitizer: CuVerro surfaces kill bacteria within two hours, proving its efficacy as a sanitizer.
- Wear Test: CuVerro efficacy does not wear out or wear down over time, and continues to help inhibit the buildup and growth of bacteria between routine cleaning and sanitizing steps.
- Repeated Contamination Test: CuVerro surfaces work continuously to kill more than 99% of bacteria, 24 hours a day, even after repeated contamination. These EPA tests used stainless steel as the control since it represents the most common material used in hospital and surgical settings. The data shows that copper efficacy significantly outperformed stainless steel in all three tests.
Which Types of Buildings Would Benefit from Using Antimicrobial Copper Hardware?
Showing your customers and employees that you care about their health and safety has become even more relevant over the last few years. Here are just a few examples of how Healthy Hardware® can be applied in different facilities:
- Hospitals: ICUs, patient rooms, restrooms, nurses’ stations, common areas (View the results of a study performed by the American Journal of Infection Control: Healthcare surface cleanliness: Copper vs. Traditional)
- Schools: Doors, restrooms, kick plates, hallways, common areas
- Retail and Businesses: Public and private restrooms, countertops, entrance/exit doors, hallways
- Restaurants: Restrooms, push/pull plates, exit doors
- Athletic facilities/Gyms: Locker rooms, common areas, gym entrances
What Products are Available from Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® Product Line?
- Push/Pull Plates
- Straight and Offset Pulls
- Ultimate Restroom Pulls
- Counters
- Hands-Free ADA Tidal Slide Locks
- Hospital Push/Pull Latch sets
- Flush Pulls
- Edge Guards
- ADA Pocket Door Pulls
- Exit Devices/Push Bar Covers
- Full-Length Door Pulls
- Push/Pull Bar Sets
- Mortise Levers and Escutcheons
- Grab Bars
- Surface Bolts
- & Much More (Including Custom Products)
Does the Hardware Look Like Copper?
There are many different alloys available. Trimco’s main copper-nickel alloy has the appearance of stainless steel.
Is it Difficult to Install Copper Hardware?
Timco’s Healthy Hardware® can easily be installed or retrofitted in a matter of minutes—depending on the product, sometimes all it takes is a screwdriver!
What is the Cost of Copper Hardware?
Copper is more expensive than plastic, aluminum, or steel, but the benefits far outweigh the cost. As we have all witnessed firsthand during the pandemic, if there is a way to prevent the spread of germs, then the costs are negligible by comparison. Furthermore, hospital-borne infections are costing the healthcare system as much as $45 billion a year and causing the deaths of as many as 75,000 people per year.
Upgrading to copper hardware as part of an integrated infection control program can help keep your patients, customers, students, and employees safe. Trimco’s Healthy Hardware® product line is expansive, and the experts at LaForce are here to help you decide what will work best for your facility. We are happy to answer any questions that you have; give us a call today.
*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, CuVerro surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli O157:H7, and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE). The use of CuVerro® bactericidal copper products is a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. This surface has been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination. CuVerro® is a registered trademark of Wieland North America, Inc. and is used with permission (TR-0002-1509). See www.CuVerro.com for more details.
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