Bathrooms


reducing waterborne infections. Poorly- maintained TMVs, for example, can result in legionella, a harmful bacterium, growing and multiplying very quickly within water systems. If users become exposed to


contaminated water, they are at risk of developing Legionnaire’s disease - an infection that can be potentially fatal in vulnerable or elderly populations. To reduce the risk of waterborne


infections, a regular flushing routine should be carried out to eliminate any stagnant water. This involves flushing out any outlets - on both taps and showers - by leaving them to run on their highest temperature for at least five minutes. While establishing a maintenance


routine is an effective method, in many cases, it may not always be adhered to. Bristan recently carried out an in-


depth whitepaper study into waterborne infection control within health and care environments, which provided some stark insights into the industries’ approach to the topic. When questioned on their workplace’s


water maintenance routines, a third of respondents felt that although thermal flushing on their site was conducted to an adequate level to meet industry standards, it was not done as regularly as it should have been due to lack of resources. While this insight highlights other


issues within the sector, it also stresses the importance of choosing the right products to make the maintenance process more autonomous. Our OPAC Sequential Commercial TMV3 TS3650 shower, for example, has been designed with built-in thermal flushing for an easy infection control regime.


To reduce the risk of waterborne infections, a regular flushing routine should be carried out to eliminate any stagnant water


The shower has a number of


additional features to make servicing simpler. These include isolation and filter change incorporated in the elbows; a front mounted once-piece thermostatic cartridge; and an improved concealing plate for easy fitting and removal for servicing.


Economical choices With any public sector build, it is a priority to keep costs down without cutting any corners on quality. Choosing bathroom products that are designed to save water are a great option for reducing bill costs, while inadvertently reducing your environmental footprint at the same time. A simple way to save water in care


homes is to opt for a flow regulator, which can easily be added onto taps and showers. Most standard showers distribute a


shower flow rate of 13.5 litres per minute, but with a flow regulator, a shower will only distribute water at a rate of ten litres per minute - and the difference in shower performance is barely noticeable. Ideal for care homes where economical


choices are a must, some showers have been designed to function at an even lower flow rate. The OPAC Sequential Commercial TMV3 TS3650 shower, for example, can be flow-limited for economy


to as little as seven litres per minute. Another consideration is how


residents and their behaviour may affect water usage. The effects of dementia and other memory-related disorders can often result in sufferers forgetting everyday tasks that would have once come naturally to them. For example, turning off taps after use. This could result in the bathroom


getting flooded and leave them vulnerable to falls. Although primarily a safety issue, a tap that is left running can quickly rack up water bills or cause damage to the building. For care homes where dementia


patients are present, installing timed- flow taps are beneficial so that only a set amount of water can be dispensed at any one time. The care sector can have its


challenges when it comes to design, but gathering the right information, assessing your specific needs and choosing safe, high-quality products will allow you to specify with confidence.


TCHE


Chris Tranter


Chris Tranter is senior product manager at Bristan Group. Chris has over 15 years of experience in commercial, product and supplier management and, with over eight years working at Bristan, heads up the company’s bathroom taps and mixer showers product team. Known for his creativity and eye for detail, he is specifically responsible for all specification products in both the domestic and commercial channels.


February 2021 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 41


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