SUSTAINABILITY
Table 1: Fractional use. Flow rate
Standard tap 9 L/min Electronic tap 3 L/min
Splitting delivery
Non-concussive (self-closing) or sensor taps can also contribute significantly to reducing consumption and encouraging good water management, as they support the notion of fractional use. One of the NHS Property Services’ top tips is: ‘Washing your hands – only turn the tap on when you wet and rinse your hands.’4
Traditional basin taps typically consume nine litres per minute (L/min).4 If handwashing takes 32 seconds (see Table 1), including wetting, soaping, and rinsing, and the tap runs throughout, total consumption is 4.8 litres per use. Assuming a conservative three handwashing events per hour over an eight-hour period, this equates to 115 litres. By splitting the water delivery, significant savings can be made through fractional use.
With a Delabie tap, the valve closes automatically after seven seconds (time flow models), or after removing hands from the detection zone (sensor- controlled models), and the flow rate is limited to 3 L/min at 3 bar. The user can, therefore, wet their hands, apply soap, and rinse, without the tap running continuously. A Delabie electronic tap can reduce consumption to 0.6 litres per use, a drop of almost 90% (see Table 1). HTM 07-04 advocates the use of sensor (non-touch) taps in certain applications, as they reduce water consumption and reduce the risk of infection.
Wetting Soaping Rinsing Water consumed per use Water consumed per user/day 5 sec 5 sec
20 sec
7 sec 7 sec
4.8 L (32 sec) 0.6 L (12 sec)
To bathe or not to bathe? When it comes to the question of showering or bathing, HTM 07-04 is clear that the patient’s care needs should take precedence. However, in water consumption terms, showering offers several advantages. Baths typically use an average of 80 litres per event, and require the patient to be immersed, which also increases the risk of scalding. In comparison, a typical shower head delivers 9 L/min; water-efficient shower heads can reduce this to 6 L/min, regulating the flow rate but delivering a comfortable spray. The concept of fractional use applies equally to showers, so installing a self- closing shower will also reduce water consumption, and, since less hot water is required, this will also reduce the energy bill. Furthermore, a TMV3- approved point-of-use thermostatic mixing valve will provide anti-scalding safety and improve efficiency since there is no wastage while the mixed water reaches the desired temperature.
Electronic thermostatic showers allow
fractional water use, and provide anti- scalding safety.
In surgical scrubbing areas (an area of essential use), sensor or foot-operated time flow taps also support infection control, as they are non-touch. Delabie’s electronic models feature a piston- operated solenoid valve which refreshes the water in the body with every use to reduce the risk of Legionella, and a duty flush to prevent stagnation in the system.
50 Health Estate Journal October 2021
No cold water deadlegs Installation design should ensure that there are no cold water deadlegs, and HSG 274 Part 2 requires that under- utilised showers be removed, and low-use outlets be installed upstream of frequently used outlets to maintain regular flow through the pipework. A further consideration to reduce the risk of Legionella is to ensure sufficient ventilation to avoid aerosols which carry the Legionella spp bacterium. Estates teams play a vital role in ensuring the efficient use of water through the use of appropriate technology that does not impact on essential use or compromise patient and user welfare. Reducing water consumption need not place vulnerable users at risk, since new technologies allow Estates teams to offer efficiencies and still provide anti-scalding safety and infection control. Effective maintenance and service, coupled with water monitoring, will identify leaks early
4.8 L x 24 uses = 115.2 L 0.6 L x 24 uses = 14.4 L
and minimise waste. Installing water- efficient WCs, urinals, taps, and showers, that are appropriate for the area of use will deliver sustainable water management.
References 1 To become more water-efficient. NHS Property Services. [
https://tinyurl.com/238cw96t].
2
www.cieau.com: Centre for Information about Water (CIEAU) website, citing Loire Bretagne Water Agency and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
3 The Building Regulations 2010. Approved Document G - Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency. Ed. 2015 with 2016 amendments. HM Government.
4 Department of Health: Environment and sustainability Health Technical Memorandum 07-04: Water management and water efficiency – best practice advice for the healthcare sector. 2013.
5 HSG274 Part 2 Legionnaires’ disease Technical guidance. Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems. Health & Safety Executive. 2014.
6 Making buildings better, 2014.
www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk
hej
Carole Armstrong Carole Armstrong is the Marketing
and Communications manager for Delabie UK. Initially based at the company’s head office in Picardy, France, she joined the company 12 years ago, and is responsible for technical translations, media relations, and events, in the UK market.
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