How to Characterize the UV-C Performance of Automated Systems: A Laboratory Testing Approach

UV-C technologies are widely studied for their ability to inactivate microorganisms under controlled conditions. For organizations adopting UV-C solutions, understanding how to evaluate laboratory performance is an important part of assessing consistency, repeatability, and operational value.

To better understand the performance characteristics of the OhmniClean UV-C system, we partnered with an independent accredited laboratory to conduct standardized testing using commonly referenced challenge organisms. These organisms are frequently used in UV-C performance studies because they represent a range of structural and biological properties relevant to laboratory research.

Why Controlled Laboratory Testing Matters

Laboratory testing provides a way to measure UV-C exposure effects under defined conditions such as distance, surface type, soiling, and exposure duration. While these conditions do not represent real-world environments, they are useful for characterizing how UV-C energy behaves when delivered consistently and repeatedly.
This type of testing does not determine clinical or field effectiveness, nor is it an indication or claim of performance in healthcare settings. Instead, it helps establish a scientific baseline for how the device performs in controlled scenarios.

Our Independent Laboratory Study

We engaged EMSL Analytical, a nationally recognized testing laboratory, to perform a series of UV-C exposure assessments. The evaluations were designed to characterize performance across several test organisms that are commonly selected for laboratory UV-C studies, including:

• Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Enterococcus faecium (VRE)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Escherichia coli
• Clostridioides difficile endospores

These organisms provide a representative range for assessing UV-C energy effects in controlled environments.

Testing Methodology

The laboratory applied the following standardized approach:

• Inoculated carriers were placed at defined distances and orientations.
• UV-C exposure was delivered for a measured duration using the OhmniClean unit.
• Organisms were recovered and quantified to determine log-reduction under those specific test conditions.

This methodology is consistent with common laboratory protocols used to evaluate UV-C performance characteristics.

What the Laboratory Observed

Under the controlled conditions described above, the laboratory reported:

• High log-reductions for several vegetative bacteria
• Notable reductions for C. difficile endospores
• Consistent results across repeated runs under the same parameters

These findings describe how UV-C energy performed in a controlled laboratory setting, and they help characterize the system’s ability to deliver repeatable UV-C exposure.

Evaluating UV-C Technologies Beyond Lab Data

While laboratory testing is valuable for benchmarking UV-C exposure characteristics, operational outcomes in real spaces depend on many variables, such as:

• Room geometry and shadowing
• Material types
• Ambient conditions
• Line-of-sight limitations
• Cleaning practices and workflows

For this reason, UV-C research typically uses laboratory results as one reference point rather than a predictor of real-world performance.

*OhmniClean supports environmental hygiene and UV-C exposure workflows in unoccupied spaces. Operational results reflect staff workflow and cleanliness perception only.