The Brewster Inn recently installed COVID-19-neutralizing UV lighting fixtures in all of its indoor dining rooms.
Known as “Upper-Room Germicidal UV Fixtures,” the lights are designed to irradiate air that may contain infectious pathogens. Originally modeled to thwart tuberculosis transmission to healthcare workers, UV lights are also shown to be effective in combating COVID-19 in public spaces.
Increasingly popular in hospitals, airports and colleges, the fixtures are also growing in demand in the hospitality industry. They are currently installed in a handful of restaurants in the Utica/Rome area.
According to an Oct. 17 press release from The Brewster, the restaurant is perhaps the first of its size and capacity to utilize the technology in the Greater Syracuse area.
“We feel blessed that we had a great summer of business thanks to our expansive outdoor dining and our supportive customers,” said Co-owner Stephen Franks in the press release. “As we go into the winter season, it was important to the ownership team to reinvest funds to ensure a safe dining experience for all our patrons and staff.”
Franks, along with partners Kirk Gibson, Jason Wright and Caitlin Gambee, agreed that in order for the restaurant to endure the challenges of this pandemic, it was imperative to look to the future.
“The industry is changing each day, and we as a team felt that we need to always be adapting and evolving,” Gibson said. “With the number of restaurants closing, we decided that although this measure may seem drastic to some, that we are willing to do what it takes to give our customers and staff peace of mind.”
When used properly, UV lighting systems can neutralize 94 percent of indoor air by scrambling the genetic makeup of airborne pathogens. To increase its effectiveness, The Brewster has also invested in an air scrubbing device that circulates and cleans air in the front lobby.
The key to the safe use of UV light in public spaces is that the rays are directed into the top two feet of air within a room. That air is then circulated by the movement of people and via HVAC systems allowing for continuous cleaning. Prolonged direct exposure to UV light can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, which is why careful consideration was taken to exclusively target the upper-most portion of each room.
The Brewster Inn hopes that this investment will not only encourage a safe and healthy dining experience for customers, but it will also inspire other restaurants to implement incremental changes to keep New York on an upward path in the fight against the coronavirus.
