This area is normally reserved for Season Ticket Members but currently serves as the home team players’ dressing room. Players will be the first to benefit from the new safety measures, with Members also able to enjoy a safer and more hygienic atmosphere when The Stoop can once again open its doors to the public.

“Signify is a highly trusted partner and a leader in their field,” said Laurie Dalrymple, Chief Executive Officer, Harlequins. “We are proud to be the first professional sports team in the UK to use UV-C disinfection lighting technology, and we expect to see it widely utilised in future across the sports and events industry.”

Mike Lancaster, Harlequins’ Head of Medical, added: “Signify’s UV-C disinfection lighting adds an additional layer of protection to the stringent testing and operational processes we have in place to protect the squad. From a medical perspective, I am very satisfied with the way the technology has been tested in depth and fully proven.”

UV-C disinfection lighting

UV-C is a well-established method of disinfection, used to prevent the spread of diseases by disinfecting air, water and surfaces. UV-C breaks down the DNA or RNA of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria, rendering them harmless. In laboratory testing, Signify’s UV-C light sources reduced SARS-CoV-2 virus infectivity on a surface to below detectable levels in as few as nine seconds. 

Signify partner Powercor installed 11 units suspended by brackets 800mm from the ceiling, with potential for more to be installed in other parts of the Club at a later date. This high position, in combination with the luminaires’ design, allows the system to disinfect air as it circulates the room, even when there are people present. Natural convection moves the disinfected air back into the lower part of the room. Additionally, shielding and optics in the luminaire’s design prevent accidental exposure to UV-C radiation.

“Harlequins have a long history at the pinnacle of English rugby. Top athletes work hard to keep their health at an absolute peak, which extends to managing the risks we all now face in crowded public places. We’re very proud to support the Club’s objective to offer players and supporters the very best protection,” said Andy Gowen, Director Public and Sports Lighting at Signify in the UK&I.

“As a long-term partner of Signify, we are very pleased to extend our professional expertise to UV-C disinfection lighting, which will become increasingly important to our customers in the years ahead,” added Richard Grace, Managing Director, Powercor. “We are proud to play our part in getting the Quins safely to the pitch, and creating hygienic spaces for supporters to enjoy the legendary atmosphere of The Stoop once it is considered safe to re-open.”