WATER SYSTEMS
The Variotronic height-adjustable WC – specially developed for hospitals, care homes, inclusive washrooms, and care organisations, to maintain independence and comfort for the user, and convenience for the caregiver.
that the toilet is flushed after every use. In addition, some toilets incorporate overflow prevention, meaning that even in the event of a blockage, the toilet will not overspill or flood. This is deal for avoiding maintenance issues and sustaining the hygiene of the toilet area.
n Vandalism-proof systems Some touchless smart flushes are able to offer a vandalism-proof or semi-vandal- proof solution, meaning they are ideal for public washrooms. Look out for flush plates which feature a stainless steel, impact-resistant control panel to ensure safety and security.
efficiency, infection control, and patient welfare, was featured in a Department of Health & Social Care publication. It explained that: ‘Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, has embarked on a programme to change all of its WC flush valves and taps to non-touch types. This is partly due to the water efficiency achieved, but mainly because there is mounting evidence that non-touch products offer significant benefits to improving hand hygiene. The same hospital had an outbreak of Clostridium difficile. There were no cases of the disease in areas where non-touch taps were used. While it may be coincidental to some extent, it demonstrated the potential of hand hygiene and the benefits of non- touch taps’.5
n Smart toilets can enhance water saving
Offering the most advanced form of modern flushing technology, a smart flush can offer water-efficient flushing, saving money on metered water bills, and making a difference to the environment by lessening the demand for water. With a smart dual flush, using either 3 or 6 litres, and a modern flushing system which activates only when needed, optimal water use is ensured, whether installed in a busy hospital washroom, or in a small GP surgery. The result is a clean toilet, without any wasted water.
n Ease of use According to HTM 07-04, ‘Non-touch products not only offer water-saving and infection control benefits, but also convenience and ease of use for children and people with disabilities’.5
n Overflow prevention Touchless flushing technology can offer peace of mind from the issues associated with blocked and overflowing toilets. New, innovative sensor technology ensures
n App-controlled settings For maximum adjustability with minimum hassle, opting for a flushing system that can be controlled remotely by an ‘app’ can increase hygiene and maintenance options while avoiding issues with blockages and overflowing. Some modern flushing options allow wireless control of toilet or urinal flush settings using an Android or Apple app via a tablet or smartphone. For example, our EOS flush plate incorporates a variety of app-controlled functionality options – including setting or adjusting the interval time for flushing, or even changing the colour of the RGB LED lights within the sensor plate, which can be helpful in healthcare settings.
n Stylish design
In the case of smart flushing technology, the benefits of the intelligent flushing technology are concealed behind a sleek, modern, and attractive control panel, offering a streamlined and contemporary design, ideal for modern washroom schemes. In the case of our EOS flush plate, flushing is instigated by the infra- red no-touch technology. Many smart flushing solutions offer increased options for personalisation, and enhance the surroundings or blend into the tiling, depending on the desired aesthetic. In summary, toilet solutions are moving on quickly, and offering many new functionalities which are valuable in a healthcare washroom setting. To enable considerable water saving, cut water use budgets, and contribute toward significant lessening of CO2
emissions, look to the humble loo.
n Touchless flush technology is available with all of Fluidmaster’s IPEE toilet packs, which are fully compliant with BREEAM guidelines. IPEE technology and EOS flush plates are manufactured for Fluidmaster by WISA, part of the Fluidmaster ‘family’ of brands.
References 1 Water Sector Overview – OFWAT www.
ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/ ofwat-industry-overview/
2 Evidence; Renewable Energy Potential for the Water Industry. Environment Agency, December 2009. https://tinyurl. com/4sy5npwr
3 Majid A, Cardenes I, Zorn C, Russell T, Colquhoun K, Bañares-Alcantara R et al. An Analysis of Electricity Consumption Patterns in the Water and Wastewater Sectors in South East England, UK. MDPI 14 January 2020.
https://tinyurl.com/ mrnx7mtf
4 Environment and sustainability Health Technical Memorandum 07-04: Water management and water efficiency – best practice advice for the healthcare sector. Department of Health. 2021 and Social Care, 2021.
https://tinyurl.com/26pyrn3t
5 Health Technical Memorandum 07-04: Water management and water efficiency – best practice advice for the healthcare sector. The Department of Health. 2021.
https://tinyurl.com/2ud2jbfd
6 Leaky Loo Position Statement, Waterwise. 2020.
https://tinyurl.com/3c3x7zm4
Adrian Hibbert
Adrian Hibbert is a Commercial and Specification manager at Fluidmaster UK, with over 42 years’ experience in the industry, 22 of them focused on specification. Managing the specification process from concept to completion, he works with Fluidmaster’s engineering, design, production, and operations departments to oversee client project schedules. He also forms part of an in- house engineering forum, focusing on the design and development of future Fluidmaster products.
He consults with customers within the NHS, private healthcare, care homes, and the high-rise residential, office, education, and social housing sectors. He also oversees large-scale projects, and heightens specifier awareness of the Fluidmaster UK portfolio.
October 2022 Health Estate Journal 59
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124
