By Ray Birch
CINCINNATI—As CU leaders are learning or about to learn, there’s a lot more to reopening facilities than “just reopening,” with many getting a fast education in ventilation and filtration, the benefits of copper, UV lights, and the exposure risks to employees from cleaning chemicals.
Those insights and more are being shared are part of a week-long CUToday.info series on the reopening of credit union buildings and workplaces, a process that as reported makes clear involves far more than disinfectant and social distancing practices. The analysis included in this report is the third in the series. Earlier reports are here and here.
“Our credit union clients have shared concerns over what they will need to do to safely reopen—for their members and for their employees—and comply with all CDC guidelines,” said Jeff Boehmer, director of sales at DEI. “I think what we will see coming out of all this is much greater use of digital platforms, and credit unions in their design of branches were, fortunately, already headed that way.”
Boehmer said the credit union he is working with realize there is no set plan for reopening they can simply follow.
“I can tell you some are preemptively asking questions about what do they need to do to reopen as effectively and safely as possible, keeping in mind social distancing and disinfecting guidelines, and the day-to-day operational changes that go along with that,” he said. “We are fielding questions like how do we effectively clean surfaces, and what new materials can we use.”
The First Steps
Jeff Boehmer
Boehmer noted one of the first things credit unions have been doing is examining internal working areas to safely space out staff.
“They are putting wheels into motion, and I think what they do is going to be directed by the Health Department, the CDC and what's necessary in each state around the country,” he said.
Shonda Mckinney-Short, DEI design manager, said the issues go beyond just what changes will begin to be made as facilities reopen, but also to how the new normal will affect what credit unions do with branches longer term.
“Social distancing and disinfecting will be the drivers for any operational changes and branch redesign in the future,” said Mckinney-Short. “We expect retrofits of existing branch networks to lessen density of workers, as well as utilizing space better to manage the flow of traffic, distancing members from workers.”
New Building Codes
Mckinney-Short expects there will be more stringent building codes related to air movement and increased ventilation and filtration.
“We see better quality filters being a part of the immediate retrofit solutions for existing HVAC systems,” she said. “The CDC says facilities will need to consider factors such as the size of the room and the ventilation system design, including flowrate—air changes per hour—and location of supply and exhaust vents, when deciding how long to close off rooms or areas used by ill persons before beginning disinfection. Taking measures to improve ventilation in an area or room where someone was ill or suspected to be ill with COVID-19 will help shorten the time it takes respiratory droplets to be removed from the air.”
Ultraviolet lights will certainly play a key role in combatting the coronavirus and other viruses moving forward, Mckinney-Short said.
Shonda Mckinney-Short
“UV lights were first developed to combat infections like (Clostridium difficile, also known as C.diff)., MRSA and other resistant pathogens in medical facilities,” she explained. “They could be the best solution for high-touch areas. These tools are in test mode right now, determining if they beat the coronavirus. Right now, the assumption is they work.”
Material and product specifications will play larger roles in future design considerations, said Mckinney-Short.
“Consulting with a professional to understand product wear and tear or degradation over time to protect your investment will be important contributing factors when exposing materials to harsher cleaning agents as recommended by the CDC,” she said. “Hard surfaces will still be the go-to for material consideration, but a detailed analysis by the New England Journal of Medicine has documented the life of the virus on different surface types.”
A ‘Game-Changer’
Mckinney-Short said DEI sees the use of copper as a game-changer.
“Copper is naturally antimicrobial, cork as well,” she explained. “I see the potential of copper nanoparticles, and silver works as well, being embedded in other materials to give them more resistance to the virus or dangerous pathogens becoming commonplace. Copper as a material alone can be used for decorative surfaces for countertops, sinks and other features. Companies have been introducing this type of nanoparticle technology for some time with manufacturers like Microban. The added technology is used in plastics, fabrics, paints and coatings, ceramics, concretes and more.”
Mckinney-Short emphasized CUs will need to not only pay attention to how cleaning can save lives, but also how it should be done correctly to preserve materials.
“It is critical to emphasize the importance of rinsing all cleansers in order to prevent damage to the material, especially fabrics,” she said. “Generally, after cleaning, rinse repeatedly with cool, clean water to ensure complete removal of all cleaning solution residue. Leftover residue can cause damage over time. I still see the use of handheld UV devices as a game-changer and a better solution than bleach cleaning nightly on textiles and surfaces. Exposing staff to a significant amount of chemicals daily is not feasible or sustainable.”
‘Common Sense Divisions’
Element shield in place at one credit union.
In the very near term, Mckinney-Short said to expect “common sense” divisions—floor markers and basic barriers, noting they will exist for the foreseeable future.
“This is all about perceived comfort as well as physical distancing, just like we have experienced in the grocery stores,” Mckinney-Short said. “We expect some obvious trends to continue, such as telecommuting and work from home operations, which will still need some solution for smarter shared spaces using more barriers, divider panels and divisions and cleaning protocols per usage. A common sense operational plan to deal with exposure will be required.”
DEI also expects the trend of greater use of technology, such as ITMs, to pick up rapidly to reduce face-to-face interactions.
“Look for more videoconferencing and prescheduled meetings for dedicated spaces,” she said.