FEATURE
35
Comments from the industry
We spoke to some manufacturers about their experience
with touchless technology. We do not quote the company
for fear of reprisal (a great South African favourite as
well). These are their comments (editor’s comments are in
parentheses).
“There is a great deal more to this than going touch free.
Design must ensure that the water supply systems always
guarantee water. Intermittent supply enables disease to
develop – like Legionella. Such systems are available.”
“The importance of touch-free is continually undermined
by developers/property owners and specifiers when
money is the only consideration, instead of health.”
“Most commercial buildings/public (plumbing) areas fall to
the last item on the budget.”
“Lack of understanding as to how the products work.”
GEBERIT SA
One of the Brenta range.
“Vandalism is the biggest problem (if it doesn’t work –
break it!).
“Maintenance must keep stock; failing which, the team
‘makes a plan’ (and messes the product and system up!).
“Cleaning – the harsh chemicals that are used damage
the glass eye which cause the taps to run continuously
or not to work at all. Cleaning staff are not upskilled to
handle harsh chemicals.” (Incidentally, harsh chemicals also
kills the beneficial bacteria that eats the bad bacteria.)
“Installation teams do not know how to install the product/
system, instead of asking the manufacturer.” (Oops, one
down for the plumber!)
“Organisations that do not make the pivot to a healthbased
approach will fall behind.”
“There is no doubt that users in workplaces and public
spaces, as well as in private homes, are going to prioritise
hygiene going forward.”
“This hygiene-critical approach brings new challenges for
architects, and requires specialist knowledge for installers.
For professionals, adapting to customers' requirements in
good time and adapting portfolios to incorporate hygienic,
sensor-controlled innovations is essential. Doing so is both
an ethical responsibility – where public health is at stake
– and a business imperative.”
“It is common for us to sell self-fitting metering fittings a
year or two after the electronic units are fitted, mainly due
to vandalism and maintenance staff getting frustrated.”
So, do we have a case for legislating contactless brassware,
and incorporating maintenance?
Certainly, if owners continue to chop the plumbing budget
and disregard the health of the customer. Added to the
cost, the maintenance staff must be upskilled to know how
to handle these products/systems and use chemicals in a
sensible manner.
Much can be said of the sanitaryware. As this was
addressed in detail in Plumbing Africa’s September issue, in
our ‘Sanitaryware: rethinking the way we touch and handle
things’ article, we will not repeat it here.
Of course, this does mean that such systems must be
installed by qualified plumbers and inspected properly.
Extracted from leading architects in the area of touchless
technology, Jon Dommisse and Michelle Kempen of
Kahler and Slater, Milwaukee.
1. Today’s touchless hand washing models
incorporate advanced sensing technology for
continuous and reliable washing. These include
voice command and IoT.
2. The Healthy hand Washing Survey by Bradley
Corp showed that 91% of Americans believe it is
important that public restrooms are equipped with
touchless fixtures.
3. Improved ventilation. More and more clients are
using HVAC systems through restrooms. South
Africa has an excellent array of HVAC systems
already installed in the building, so why not extend
the ventilation? (If this is too much then plumbers can
equally install far more effective extraction fans which
are plug and go.)
4. Modified layouts. Even before Covid-19, European
restroom models were being adapted to
accommodate gender-free restrooms with one-way
traffic eliminating or minimising cross traffic.
5. Walking to and from the toilet or urinal to a basin
and then to a hand- or towel-drier creates wet
floors, which, aside from the potential to slip and
fall, adds to the breeding of bacteria. Sealing of
floors must be an essential application.
6. Antimicrobial finishes and materials. Grab rails,
counter tops and other areas requiring touch
should have an element of antimicrobial finish on
them. In some cases, the more inherent material
like copper can be installed.
7. The catchment area after washing hands is the
basin or sink. Materials for these should be smooth
and non-porous, with seamless construction like
solid surfaces and natural quartz. This prevents
mould and delamination accumulation. Of course,
we must not forget social distancing which is now
a norm.
8. The opportunity for sleek all-in-one hand washing
fixtures that have soap, mixer, and dryer all in one
unit exists. This eliminates wet floors, and contains
bacteria for easy cleaning and safety. PA
“In short,
plumbing
and health
must come
to the top of
the building
costing, and
everything
else should
follow.”
October 2020 Volume 26 I Number 08
www.plumbingafrica.co.za