SUSTAINABILITY
identify technologies that will reduce water waste, while the onus is on manufacturers to innovate and develop new water-efficient technologies that use less water/energy to deliver an equivalent performance: ‘…such as dual flush WCs, low flow taps, and automatic urinal control systems.’4
Equally important is educating users, where possible, to change consumption patterns, taking into account sensitive areas such as surgical scrubbing, birthing pools, and decontamination. Where this is not possible, the choice of equipment must encourage the user towards a more efficient use of water; for example electronic controls or self-closing taps in public areas. Metering ensures that any new practices can be monitored to ensure that good practice is upheld.
Investigating water-efficient equipment
HTM 07-04 estimates that leaking toilets account for between 15 and 30% of consumption in healthcare facilities, with a small leak accounting for 6 litres per hour, and a large leak between 400 and 800 litres per hour,4
so even a small leak in one
toilet can equate to the average daily consumption of one person. For Estates teams, WCs offer a significant opportunity to minimise waste and deliver more efficient water consumption without compromising the user experience. HTM 07-04 recommends inspecting fixtures and fittings, graph bills, and monitoring and sub-metering to find possible leaks.
Leaky WCs
A leaking WC cistern can often go undetected, as the water seeps past the mechanism seal silently and down the back of the pan into the bowl. Leaks are often concealed by the overflow, so users may not be aware of them, especially if the flush is not unduly impaired, and they have no vested interest in reporting them. Seals should be checked regularly, and cleaned and replaced if necessary to minimise their impact.
Alternative technologies to WC cisterns are available which provide a more efficient flush, and minimise the risk of leaks. Direct flush mechanisms remove the need for a cistern by using the water pressure in the system to flush the toilet. Any damage or leakage is immediately evident, and can be addressed straight away. Removing the cistern also improves system hygiene, as there is no standing water at room temperature, which is often higher in healthcare settings, and at an ideal temperature for Legionella bacteria to develop. Some direct flush mechanisms
48 Health Estate Journal October 2021 Dual flush technology
Dual flush technology has become more prevalent in recent years, and NHS Property Services recommends upgrading toilets with ‘old, large cisterns’ with more modern dual flush WCs, and encouraging users to ‘…use the short flush (where available), and only use the long flush when necessary’.1
Most mechanisms offer a 3/6 litre dual flush, but some mechanisms can be adjusted to suit the WC pan size and system pressure, delivering a 2/4 litre flush which meets the highest levels of environmental labels such as BREEAM. However, it is ultimately the user who decides which flush to use, and with some actuator plates it is not always evident
incorporate anti-blocking, which stops the mechanism from being blocked in the open position. This prevents voluntary vandalism or inadvertent activation on electronic models (if the sensor detects an object for a prolonged period). Installing a hard-wearing mechanism that is designed for intensive use will also reduce maintenance, and extend the life of the mechanism, compared with a cistern flush system that is typically designed for use in the home.
The Tempomatic 4 urinal adapts to usage patterns to optimise flushing. The dual control WC (above) features anti-blocking to prevent misuse and minimise waste.
which button activates the shorter or longer flush. Delabie’s Tempomatic Dual Control electronic flush has an intelligent rinse function in the automatic mode which distinguishes between the need for a short rinse (2 or 3 litres), or a longer flush (4 to 6 litres), and flushes automatically. This avoids user mistakes, and guarantees that the bowl is rinsed even if the user forgets to flush.
Thirsty urinals
Urinals are not routinely installed in healthcare settings because, typically, they have an automatic flush system. This guarantees hygiene by regularly rinsing the urinal, preventing crystallisation in the bowl, and avoiding blockages in the pipework, but it consumes high volumes of water. According to HTM 07-04, an automatic urinal system will flush between 7.5 and 12 litres of water every 20 minutes, and can consume up to 900 litres per day.4
The guidance
suggests controlling the urinal flush through foot operation or motion sensors, ultralow flush urinals, or by installing waterless urinals.
Bioclip thermostatic taps regulate the water flow, provide anti-scalding safety, and support efficient water control.
Conventional urinals are designed to flush away any uric acid and prevent odours from stale urine; with waterless urinals, the urine passes through an occlusive chemical layer and evacuates via the drain. The chemical layer acts as a sealant, preventing the uric acid oxidising and creating unpleasant odours. However, there is a maintenance impact and operating cost associated with cartridge and chemicals replacement, and it’s possible that the incremental
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