ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Hygiene by design
In public washrooms, a suspended WC pan offers a stylish, contemporary design. However, there are distinct functional advantages for the healthcare sector. A suspended pan offers an additional hygiene benefit, since the overall toilet surface area is reduced, and access for cleaning beneath the pan is improved. Supported on a frame system, a suspended WC pan is ideal for installation in confined spaces or service ducts. The pipework and all fixings are concealed, and, where the mechanism is also recessed, the working parts are inaccessible to users, reducing potential vandalism.
Fit for purpose Cistern-flush toilets are usually installed through habit, but, although they are ideal for domestic usage patterns, the mechanism comprises plastic components that cannot cope with the regular and intensive use experienced in public buildings. Heavy-handed users can easily break fragile mechanisms. Depending on water quality, watertight seals – which are sensitive to scale and impurities – quickly wear out with repetitive use. This inevitably leads to leaks and reduced flushing capability. According to Thames Water,3
a leaking
toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water per day, and a leak in a cistern-flush toilet is very difficult to detect. The resulting maintenance is time-consuming and problematic, especially where cisterns are installed on frame systems behind IPS panels. However, with a direct flush system, any leak is very easy to identify and remedy. Direct flush mechanisms, designed for public washrooms, are much more robust. The hydraulic timing mechanism on DELABIE’s TEMPOFLUX 3 relies on water pressure to operate, so there is no metal- metal or metal-plastic friction. A self- cleaning timing groove reduces maintenance and extends the operational
Table 1: Direct flush coefficient for simultaneous use.
Number of WCs installed
3 valves
4-12 valves 13-24 valves 25-50 valves 50+ valves
Number of WCs
used simultaneously 1 valve 2 valves 3 valves 4 valves 5 valves
User access and comfort is also
improved, as the adjustable bracket on a frame system ensures that the WC pan can be installed at the correct level for compliance with the Building Regulations4 for wheelchair-accessible toilets (with the pan height 480 mm above floor level). One further hygiene consideration is a rimless WC pan. Designed for maximum hygiene, the bowl is quick and easy to clean, with no inaccessible places where bacteria can take refuge. The adjustable flush volume on the direct flush system is the ideal mechanism to complement a rimless WC pan, guaranteeing an effective rinse without splashing.
lifespan to over 500,000 activations. Furthermore, the cartridge is standardised, and can be exchanged simply by isolating the water supply via an integrated stopcock.
Challenging perceptions Contrary to popular belief, direct flush toilets can replace cistern-flush toilets in refurbishment projects. If the header pipe is close to the installation, only the branch pipe run needs to be changed in the majority of cases. Although the methodology for calculating pipe sizes for cistern-flush is different to that for direct flush, the pipework sizing is similar, due to the principle of calculating simultaneous use (see Table 1 below). A direct flush activates for 7 seconds,
whereas cistern refill is between 40 and 60 seconds. Although the effect on demand is cumulative, the shorter duration of the direct flush means that in effect fewer valves will be operating simultaneously. For example, based on a dynamic flow rate of 1.5 litres/second, DELABIE estimates that for a block of 20 direct flush toilets, 3 out of 20 will be activated simultaneously.
Easy to install Another major concern is the ease and convenience of installation and ongoing maintenance for direct flush systems, especially in recessed applications. DELABIE has patented an innovative housing that can be installed on IPS panels or solid walls up to 120 mm thick. Unlike conventional housings, which are cut flush to the wall, this housing features a collar with an integrated seal, which provides a watertight seal against the wall finish. The housing is cut to size in front of the collar, and any leaks or condensation evacuate in front of, and not behind or into, the wall. The collar also provides support for the wall actuator plate, which conceals the whole mechanism, and has an integrated electronic unit for sensor models. The flush valve is supplied in two kits; the hydraulic connection is made from the exterior with temporary caps to replace the sensitive elements while the system is purged. The mechanism and electronic unit are then connected inside the housing, but can be easily accessed for subsequent servicing. A backflow prevention device is also incorporated within the housing, and, in the event of backflow, any water will evacuate in front of the wall. Direct flush systems offer a hygienic
alternative to cistern-flush WCs, reducing the risk of infection in healthcare facilities. Designed for intensive use in public environments, they provide a sustainable solution that manages water consumption, and adapts to the usage demands of hospitals and care facilities, and is easy to install and maintain. Breaking the habit of specifying domestic-style cisterns will deliver long-term dividends in terms of improved hygiene, sustainability, and reduced maintenance.
References 1 Johnson D, Lynch R, Marshall C, Mead K, Hirst D. Aerosol Generation by Modern Flush Toilets. Aerosol Sci Technol 2013; 47 (9): 1047-57.
2 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, No. 1148, Schedule 2, WCs, flushing devices and urinals.
3 Spotting a leaky loo. Thames Water, 2017.
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/be-water- smart/you-can-be-water-smart
4 The Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document M, Vol. 2 (2015 Ed.)
Working components are concealed behind the actuator plate.
Delabie UK Ltd, Henderson House Hithercroft Road, Wallingford OX10 9DG Tel. 01491 824449
www.delabie.co.uk
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