In its efforts to contribute to effectively preventing the COVID-19 transmission, Indian Railways’ production unit, Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, has developed a Post COVID Coach. The specially built coach has design improvements like handsfree amenities, copper-coated handrails & latches, plasma air purification and titanium di-oxide coating for COVID free passenger journey.
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In order to have handsfree amenities, the newly-designed coach has foot-operated water tap & soap dispenser, foot-operated lavatory door (outside), foot-operated flush valve, foot-operated latches in lavatory door, outside washbasin with foot-operated water tap and soap dispenser and forearm operated handle on the compartment door.
Also, the RCF brought in copper-coated handrails & latches as copper degrades the virus landed on it within a few hours. Due to its anti-microbial properties, the copper coating has been used to coat all the major touchpoints.
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Post COVID Coach is having a provision of plasma air equipment in the AC duct. This plasma air equipment will sterilize the air and surfaces inside the AC coach using ionised air to make the coach COVID-19 and particulate matter resistant.
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Apart from copper, the Post COVID Coach is also having titanium dioxide coating in the coach. Nanostructured titanium dioxide coating functions as photoactive material. The coat is an eco-friendly water-based coating that eliminates viruses, bacteria, mould, and fungal growth and most importantly enhances indoor air quality. It is non-toxic and approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA), CE certified. Titanium dioxide is considered to be a safer substance and is harmless to humans. The coating applied on washbasins, lavatory, seats & berths, snack table, glass window, floor, virtually every surface that comes in human contact. The effective life of this coating is 12 months.
(With Inputs From PIB)