PROJECT
25
Burgess Plumbing
The touch-free urinals showing the Propelair cistern.
“The emphasis was on water and energy efficiency, and in
the case of lighting everything was LED with sensors (which
is economical to install in bathrooms which are not in
permanent use), and mechanical extraction as there are no
windows or natural light or ventilation in the men’s room,”
explains Brainin.
Burgess has a long-standing relationship with GIBS and
consequently the job was not a public tender. They cater for
all their plumbing requirements and were available to assist
on a large renovation such as this.
One of the challenges of the job was the large number
of functions GIBS hosts for its students and the business
community, with the construction noise factor limiting the
hours they could work during the day – or at least they
had to work without making noise between 9 and 12. This
threatened to push out the time line, “Though we managed
to meet it in the end while working around their work
times,” says Brainin.
Steiner are the main provider for all the accessories, such as
hand-towel rails, soap dispensers and air fresheners.
“The client asked us to source a basin in which the water
wouldn’t splash all over the users as they wash their
hands, which is one reason we chose Duravit: the tap is
fitted in the basin so your hand is in the basin when you
wash, reducing splashing. The quartz tops were chosen for
its aesthetic look.”
One of the features of the design was not to install air driers,
instead opting for paper towels which users can then also
use to open the door and so not touch anything potentially
harbouring germs or viruses, as the bin is beyond the door.
The design involved breaking the wall between the men’s
and women’s toilets so as to allow the women’s nine
cubicles and the men three, with one disabled cubicle.
“They insisted on the best in all materials, sparing no
expense for their MBA students. I spec’d everything for
them, providing samples of light fittings, quartz tiles and
sanitaryware. We ultimately used: Duravit urinals with
Geberit battery powered sensors Flushmasters, because
of their energy and water efficiency and hygiene. It flushes
automatically without having to be touched – a valuable
feature post-Covid-19. No water goes to waste. We
installed Grohe battery operated sensor taps on the basins.
Eamonn Ryan
Darryl Brainin, director of Burgess Plumbing.
October 2020 Volume 26 I Number 08
www.plumbingafrica.co.za