Why do lateral flow tests need a non porous floor... anyone know

[TransplantedScouser]

I just keep hearing that the room must have a non porous floor.

I've googled and looked but I can't see anything explaining why

I can't help wondering why

I have not heard of this before, and I do my own lateral flow twice a week..

I'm guessing for cleaning?

its all over the school literature and I've heard a few people interviewed say it

It will be due to the cleaning protocols required.

necsi.edu/coronavirus-guidelines-for-cleaning-and-disinfecting-to-prevent-covid-19-transmission

Oh for in schools? Yeah I imagine that's for cleaning/infection control. The tests involve potential transferrance of bodily fluids.

Infection control. Must be able to be bleach cleaned. Can't bleach clean a carpet.

Straight away I thought of cleaning. To clean the floor properly.

Yes cleaning. Every time I’ve done a test I have violently sneezed after it. It’s important the floor can be cleaned if lots of people are being tested in one area.

Floor won't affect test. But all premises where clinical care takes place needs non porous floors for effective cleaning.

What kind of floors are non-porous? Standard school hall treated wood?

Some rooms in school will be carpeted - definitely not non-porous!

The rooms are also meant to have a separate entrance and exit.

Part of the test process involves putting a few drops of extracting solution in a pipette and swishing the swab in it. So you have a vial of dilute snot and virus solution. If that's spilled, it needs to to be onto a surface which can easily be disinfected.

In practice, given some of the horrors which I suspect end up leaking into school carpets*, this is probably overkill. But it's standard for any clinical environment, which the test area will technically be.

(*Don't tell me. I'd rather not know.)

As @Candycane2020 said, the test makes many people sneeze. Every surface in the room will need to be able to be thoroughly disinfected as lots of children will be sneezing in there.

The tests can make you sneeze or gag, so it's essential the floor is moppable.

i looked up the guide from St Barts and no mention was made of a non porous floor, i will be doing mine at home.

@skipsurvey this is advice for testing in schools, not at home. Up to you what you do in your own house