Water efficiency and improved hygiene – hand-in-hand solutions
May 28th 2010

Bob Purdom, commercial director at Douglas Delabie, specialist supplier of thermostatic and water control products for the commercial market, highlights some simple solutions readily available

Two key issues affecting each and every one of us need addressing urgently.

1. Water sustainability

With our underground resources threatened by increasing consumption (water usage has doubled in the last 20 years), water supply is fast becoming an unpredictable, unevenly distributed resource.

2. Hygiene

Hygiene, and the increasing risk of cross infections, is not just exclusive to healthcare areas. It also concerns industry, food preparation, commercial offices, schools/colleges and motorway services. Studies reveal that effective hand wash protocols are not always followed – surprisingly not even by healthcare staff.

Simple hand wash protocols using soap and water can offer staff in the commercial environment improved hygiene and protection against possible cross-contamination of MRSA and other infections.

Simple solutions

Time flow and non-touch taps are recognised as best practice as part of a ‘Total Design’ solution, and offer specifiers and building users, simple, effective control of water and improved hygiene – and contribute to achieving optimal BREEAM ratings.

New generation time flow and non-touch taps incorporate integral flow regulation to maximise water savings. For example, the Tempostop basin tap delivers an economic 4 litre per minute, and in public buildings where there may be potential for deliberate abuse, the Tempostop AB allows water to flow only after the push button is released.

For the very young and older people, the hand pressure required to operate a time flow tap can be difficult. Temposoft ‘soft touch’taps offer ‘twice as soft’ push action compared with other time flow taps. Temposoft range reduces water wastage and with flow regulated at 4 litres per minute, water savings of approximately 70% are achieved.

Non touch taps such as Tempomatic 3 electronic taps incorporate an ‘anti-legionella automatic flush’ 24 hours after last use, preventing water stagnation and bacteria development in the supply pipes. Designed for public and commercial buildings, Tempomatic 3 is simple to install and use; with no external electrical supply required, solenoid valve electronics, and 6V Lithium batteries are all built inside the tap body and a top-located sensor ensures optimised hand detection. With preset flow rate of 5 l/min, water savings of up to 80% can be achieved compared with traditional mixers and taps.

Safe anti-scald control

Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs), independently tested/certified under the BuildCert TMV3 scheme, are now a standard feature of modern commercial washrooms, providing safe hot water temperatures and preventing scalding.

As water costs continue escalating, effective water management and improved hygiene go hand-in-hand with anti-scald safety to deliver building owners and users with a better-built environment.

The technology is proven – the solutions available – contact us on: 01491 824449 or visit www.douglasdelabie.co.uk

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