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WASHROOM INFECTION CONTROL Smooth operators


Conventional mixer bodies are typically made from cast brass; however, the casting process leaves pitting on all surfaces. For aesthetic reasons, the exterior is polished to provide a smoother surface for the chrome-plated finish. However, since the interior surface is never visible, the rough cast interior is left untreated, providing the ideal habitat for bacteria to adhere. Changing the manufacturing process to ensure that mixers’ interior surfaces are as smooth as the exterior ones means that bacteria have nowhere to hide.


Lowering the volume


Mechanical mechanisms have fewer components in contact with the water, and their simple design means fewer niches where bacteria can adhere. Delabie’s 2620EP mixer has been specifically designed to reduce standing water in the mixer. The inlets connect directly to the mixing chamber, and narrow water passages mean a much lower volume of standing water when the mixer is closed. The mixer also has no spout, so the water is delivered directly to the user from the mixing chamber.


The point of no return


While point-of-use thermostatic mixers are more complex by definition, in designing such devices, Delabie’s product designers pay particular attention to minimising the risk of contamination. For example, with the Secritherm H9614P sink mixer, the water flows from the inlets via narrow tubes to the mixing chamber, reducing the water volume in the body.


Piston-operated solenoid valves prevent stagnation in the tap.


On all sequential models, when the mixer is turned off, the cold and hot water supplies both shut off at the inlets upstream of the mixing chamber. This prevents any risk of cross-flow between the incoming water supplies, so there is no need for any non-return valves on the inlets, removing a potential source of contamination. This technology is also available on dual control models such as the Securitherm H9769 shower mixer.


Removing the problem


Cleaning external surfaces is an obvious solution for infection control, but cleaning internal surfaces is an entirely different proposition. Cleaning and disinfection regimes differ depending on the age of the installation, and the sensitivity of the environment. However, as a preventative measure, cleaning taps in a de-scaling solution will reduce biofilm build-up and remove any


Getting straight to the point If water samples reveal a high bacterial count, point-of-use water filters provide a temporary control measure until a permanent and safe solution is established. Biofil single use anti-bacterial filters have a two-month lifespan to provide continuity of use and deliver bacteriologically controlled, safe water. Thanks to their innovative hollow fibre membrane technology, the filters have a large surface area to microfilter larger volumes of water. Available in cartridge, shower head, or spout formats, they are compact, yet have a high resistance to clogging.


Going ‘off-grid’


Wall connectors with an integrated stopcock.


scale deposits where bacteria can thrive. This can be simplified by installing taps which are specifically designed to be removed without shutting off the water supply. Cleaning and disinfection protocols can therefore take place with minimal disruption. In highly sensitive areas, installing taps with removable bayonet spouts means they can be regularly replaced before colonisation occurs.


Spout filters


allow more space for handwashing.


Removable mixers and spouts offer a flexible solution. During scheduled cleaning or maintenance, continuity of use can be maintained at the outlet simply by installing a second body or spout while the original is cleaned, de-scaled, and/or disinfected. The removable spout can easily be replaced with a like-for-like spout, a disposable Hostaform spout, or a spout with an anti-bacterial filter. Installing a spout filter rather than a cartridge filter maintains the drop height, and doesn’t restrict hand washing space beneath the filter.


Another simple solution to reduce bacterial proliferation is to ensure that all mixers and taps are fitted with hygienic flow straighteners or free-flow outlets. Any mesh filters are strongly discouraged, as impurities build up quickly if not cleaned regularly. A flow straightener has a star-shaped structure to control the flow and prevent splashing. It has no mesh, and does not aspirate air, reducing the risk of aerosols which can carry bacteria. Although scale build-up is reduced with a flow straightener, it still requires cleaning or replacing regularly. The alternative is a free-flow outlet with no grid or partitions. It has a smooth internal surface which offers nowhere for scale or impurities to adhere. There are no partitions, so the water flows straight through in a laminar form, and when used on a mixer, or a tap with a regulated flow rate, there is no splashing.


Carry on flushing


Keeping the water flowing is essential for Legionella control, especially where a change of use means some wash stations are under-utilised in non-priority areas. Health & Safety Executive guidance (HSG 274 Part 2) recommends flushing the system once a week to prevent stagnation, but manual flushing is labour- intensive and costly, especially for larger premises. Electronic water controls with an automatic duty flush provide a simple solution to the problems of maintaining flow. Installing a battery-operated tap at the end of a pipe run, a sensor tap on a janitorial unit, or even on an electronic WC flush valve, can ensure that the installation is flushed for one minute every 24 hours after the last use.


Eliminating stagnation Battery-operated mixers need no electrical connections, and can easily be retrofitted to existing pipework. However, electronic controls have been identified as


June 2020 Health Estate Journal 57


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