At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, there was a clear and urgent lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly face masks of various kinds. As a result, standardised protocols were changing, and increasingly substitute masks were being used in healthcare situations. However, these are less effective, unregulated, and untrusted by most healthcare staff. As a strategic product design & development studio, FROLIC studio wanted to put their resources and network towards COVID-19 critical challenges. They made a call-out and 130 volunteers came forth to offer their skills, in addition to dozens of medical healthcare workers and people on the frontline who shared their stories.
Ruben and Andrew, co-founders of FROLIC studio
After significant research and interviews with healthcare workers, FROLIC studio designed an open-source COVID-19 Decontamination Toolkit using UV-C light, with readily available parts, clear building instructions, and a protocol to run the setup. The goal was to give individuals and organisations who are in need of such equipment the opportunity to extend the life of their precious resources and stay safe for longer.
They designed this toolkit so that almost anyone can build their own, using standard components that can be ordered online. The initial setup is based on IKEA’s KUGGIS box, though most opaque boxes with a lid can work. The team provides a custom-built online calculator to help you assess how long to decontaminate for based on your box size and the power of your UV-C lightbulb.
COVID-19 Decontamination Kit 3D prints © FROLIC Studio
COVID-19 Decontamination Kit parts © FROLIC studio
While this project was led by FROLIC studio and all of its team members, many volunteers and organisations have given their support. You can find the complete toolkit, including background information, equipment checklist, and assembly instructions here.
COVID-19 Decontamination Kit Protocol
