32 FEATURE
Push for touch-free leads to retrofit boom
Part two
By
Andrew Warnes ( Extracted from Plumbing & Mechanical . PME @ digital-bnp . com *)
When crowds begin to return to commercial spaces , customers will want to enter a restroom where they feel safe . That is why facilities of all types have been retrofitting restrooms from manual to touch-free operation at a rapid pace over the course of the last year to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria .
Health and wellness have become top-of-mind for everyone . This heightened sense of hygienic focus is especially true when it comes to high-traffic areas like the restroom , the second-most visited space in a commercial building . The increased sensitivity to potential contamination is the main reason why sales of sensor faucets are expected to grow 28 % by 2024 , and sales of all motion-sensing technology is set to grow 37 % by 2023 .
Science supports the move to touch-free operation , and it has been well known that the fewer surfaces ’ guests touch , the less likely they are to spread contamination . Proper hand hygiene remains the single most important activity an individual can undertake to prevent the spread of infectious disease . As a result , ‘ high-touch ’ restroom surfaces like flush handles and manual faucets are becoming increasingly phased out in favour of sensor-operated technology . Along the way , health officials and facilities have also realised that customers will wash their hands more often when they feel safe doing so . Having touch-free facilities increases the likelihood that customers will engage in proper hand hygiene and improves potential public health outcomes .
Faucets and flushometers are now utilising Bluetooth connectivity and advanced technology to wirelessly monitor the health and status of fixtures .
Sensor-operated faucets deliver benefits such as anti-scald technology to provide handwashing at a comfortable temperature .
A solution for every type of facility Sensor-operated restroom technology can be important to customers in any commercial restroom , but the specifications required may vary depending on the facility type . For example , gooseneck faucet spouts are a preferred solution in health care and heavy industrial environments as they allow for handwashing up to and above the elbows for medical professionals as well as workers who deal with dirt and grease on a regular basis . ADA requirements are always crucial in any work or public environment . If users have limited mobility or
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline July 2021 Volume 27 I Number 5