How BioCote® Anti-microbial Coating Improves Radiator Guard Hygiene

In high-risk environments like hospitals, mental health wards, and SEN schools, hygiene isn’t just a preference, it’s essential. Radiator guards can be a hotspot for microbial contamination, especially where deep cleans are infrequent or physical access is limited.

That’s why Contour applies BioCote® anti-microbial powder coating to every metal radiator guard as standard. It’s a built-in barrier against bacteria, mould, and fungi, and one that never washes off.

In this post, we’ll explain how BioCote® works, what makes it different from other coatings, and why Contour’s hygiene-first approach gives estates teams and infection prevention professionals peace of mind

What is BioCote® and How Does it Work?

BioCote® is a globally recognised anti-microbial technology that uses silver ion additives to actively inhibit the growth of microbes. Once integrated into the powder coating, it begins working as soon as microbes come into contact with the surface.

The silver ions penetrate microbial cell walls, disrupting vital processes and stopping the microbes from growing or reproducing.

BioCote® protects against:

• Bacteria (including E. coli, MRSA, Salmonella, and more)
• Mould and fungi
• Enveloped viruses (like influenza and SARS-CoV-2)

Unlike topical sprays or films, BioCote® is embedded in the surface of the guard during manufacture, so it won’t scratch off or wear away over time.

What Makes it Anti-microbial?

To be classified as “anti-microbial”, a surface must demonstrate a minimum 1% reduction in bacteria compared to an untreated control.

Contour’s guards coated with BioCote® have been independently tested and proven to achieve up to 99.9% microbial reduction, far exceeding the basic threshold. These results are validated through regular laboratory testing, providing consistent assurance that our coatings perform as intended.

The Hygiene Benefits in Healthcare and Education

BioCote® is particularly beneficial in environments where high-touch surfaces and vulnerable individuals overlap. By reducing microbial build-up on radiator guards, the coating helps:

• Lower the risk of cross-contamination
• Support infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols
• Improve hygiene in areas where frequent cleaning is challenging
• Minimise unpleasant odours, discolouration, and material degradation

This protection is crucial in:

• Acute hospital wards and GP surgeries
• CAMHS units and secure mental health environments
• Classrooms in SEN or early years education
• Residential care or supported living

Complements Your Cleaning Routine

It’s important to remember: BioCote® does not replace cleaning, it enhances it.

By limiting microbial growth between cleans, BioCote® helps cleaning teams maintain a higher level of hygiene for longer. The coating is also compatible with standard non-corrosive cleaning products, making it easy to incorporate into existing protocols.

What About Padded Radiator Guards?

While BioCote® is applied to the metal guards as standard, padded radiator guards include a vinyl exterior rather than powder-coated steel.

Although BioCote® is not embedded into the vinyl, the vinyl material itself is treated with an anti-fungal finish. This offers its own form of microbial resistance, particularly beneficial in SEN settings, where moisture, skin contact, and sensory sensitivity are key considerations.

The Only UK Manufacturer with BioCote® as Standard

Contour is proud to be the only radiator guard manufacturer in the UK to integrate BioCote® technology as standard across our product range.

This includes:

• DeepClean and DeepClean Extra guards
• Covora and Covora Lite LST solutions
• Metal pipe boxing and casings
• Padded radiator guards (anti-fungal vinyl)
• Window protectors

Whether you're specifying for infection control, cleaning efficiency, or long-term durability, BioCote® offers built-in protection that lasts the lifetime of the product.

Need Radiator Guards That Work as Hard on Hygiene as They Do on Safety?

If you’re specifying radiator guards for healthcare, SEN, or secure settings, make sure hygiene protection is built in from the start.

Contour’s BioCote®-protected solutions reduce microbial growth by up to 99.9% helping estates teams, IPC leads and specifiers meet their hygiene goals with confidence.

📧 sales@contourheating.co.uk
📞 01952 290 498
🗓️ Or book a site survey or speak to our team about hygiene-led design today.