“The reason these antimicrobial lockers are so impervious to bacteria is because of the actual protection that is used in manufacturing, is the material that is put into the lockers when they were molded and manufactured. This antibacterial chemical was literally made into the locker and will not allow bacteria to grow,” said SchoolLockers.com Sales Rep Ursula Schroeder.
Antimicrobial lockers. Maybe you’ve heard about them, perhaps you have not. However if you work at a hospital or other environment such as clean rooms that require antimicrobial surfaces, you are well familiar with these products and why they are needed.
“Obviously these are found if you’re in a place where you don’t want to have any bacteria, mold or mildew growing, such as in hospitals, clean rooms and places like that where you cannot have any type of microbes would be the perfect place for these types of lockers,” said Schroeder. “These types of lockers are more durable and have about a 20 year life manufacturer’s warranty on them.”
The use of these types of lockers is quite specific and therefore these are made just a bit different than your typical locker. This is where you'll find them and what makes them impervious to bacteria, mold and yeast...
“It is an actual permanent antimicrobial protection that is inside the lockers. Without going into specific chemistry, it is a special coating that is in the HDPE lockers (high density polyethylene) and so when they are making those types of lockers, that is an actual molded plastic locker and that is why they are so strong and durable. The antimicrobial protection is actually part of the HDPE manufacturing process to give it that superior and thorough bacteria resistance.”
Besides being the first and foremost surface that stops bacteria, an HDPE antimicrobial locker body consists of high density, polyethylene with 3/8" thick panels that allow for extra toughness and a longer life span. The HDPE line also offers other advantages like resistance to corrosion and since it is made of solid durable plastic, these are very resistant to surface scratches and are impact and dent resistant. Again, these features are bonuses because not only are they resistant to mildew, odors and chemicals but interestingly enough, these HDPE locker lines are…hang on…resistant to graffiti, such as pencils, pens, paints and most markers! True stuff! This makes these lockers very, very easy to clean.
Now since these HDPE antimicrobial locker lines cost more and sometimes that level of protection is not needed, there are companies that can offer the antimicrobial finish on your basic metal lockers—like the ones that we offer can add this antimicrobial finish as an option.
However when it comes to the true HDPE lockers, odds are you won't be using these lockers anywhere else except where you absolutely need them such as hospitals and computer, research and aerospace industry clean rooms.
“Depending on what area of the hospital where the lockers are, most hospitals need antimicrobial lockers for the safety of patients,” advises Schroeder. “Now depending on the application like someone just putting a cell phone in because they can’t bring it into a sensitive area of the hospital, like near a MRI machine, a patient can put that cell phone or purse in a normal locker.”
The HDPE antimicrobial lockers are specially formulated with an antimicrobial agent that will permanently resist the growth of bacteria, mold, yeast and mildew which are usually found in more sensitive areas where bacteria is not allowed at any cost.
“If the lockers or cabinetry are to be placed somewhere inside where doctors wash and prep for surgery or anywhere near the surgical rooms, or maybe in a clean rooms for computer manufacturing, then you would have to have this type of HDPE antimicrobial locker,” said Schroeder. “It is actually required and specified.”
These lockers are a bit more expensive due to the manufacturing process and antimicrobial materials.
“Antimicrobial lockers are a different price point than normal lockers because they are very specialized and have certain applications. These are typically only sold for applications such as the ones I mentioned,” adds Schroeder.
However some high end gyms could find having one of those antimicrobial finishes put onto on a normal set of metal lockers during the manufacturing process very useful.
“You could work out at the gym and have sweat on your body and hands and grab something out of the locker and you are going to leave behind bacteria in that locker. There is no way to stop that bacteria from growing in a normal locker, even one made from metal with a powder coating on it,” explains Schroeder.
Those are the ins and outs of antimicrobial lockers and where they can normally be found and what they are made of.
In conclusion, there are various required applications for HDPE antimicrobial lockers where the price justifies the need in hospitals and clean rooms. However if you are just looking to keep instances of strep, pink eye and other bacteria from growing in a gym or rec center, then you can always choose the antimicrobial surface on a steel locker which will greatly reduce the risk of bacteria growing in those dark and moist places.
If you have any questions about these types of locker options, please feel free to give our experienced and friendly sales reps a call at: 1-877-952-0151
