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Introduction
The general public has become increasingly more aware of the dangers of spreading disease through touching contaminated surfaces and by interacting with other people. The latest threat to health & wellness involves the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu and is preceded by a long list of pandemic disease outbreaks like the Norovirus, the Birdsflu, MRSA, food contamination and let’s not forget about the flu! The away from home washroom can be a breading ground for germs, and a very uncomfortable place for many people
1) How can restroom automation help prevention of pandemic diseases like swine-flu?
Making a restrooms touch-free is probably one of the most effective ways to help prevention of pandemic diseases.
•It breaks the chain of cross contamination
It is as simple as that: not having to touch key fixtures and dispensers in the washroom eliminate cross-contamination.
•It encourages healthy hand washing
As people don’t like to touch fixtures in the restrooms, touch-free flushers, faucets and soap dispensers are preferred. Research has shown that 90% of restroom visitors prefer a touch-free restroom. This combined with a luxurious lathering soap and luke warm water makes hand washing a great user experience. Other studies suggest that hand washing compliance will increase by 30% if touch-free fixtures and dispensers are provided.
•It helps to raise hygiene awareness
Restrooms remain cleaner and presentable throughout the day with Touch-Free fixtures, sending a clear and hygienic message that the facility cares about the health and wellness of it’s patrons.
2) How does the recession effect restroom automation efforts?
Budgets are clearly tighter, hence facility managers are pursuing opportunities to cut operational expenses more than ever. Fortunately, there are immediate and long term savings associated with making restrooms touch-free. For example:
• Immediate saving on the water bill.
Faucets that only activate when a user hand is near combined with flow reduction aerators can result in water saving of up to 70%.
For a complete automated washroom the Return On Investment is usually in excess of 35%. Said another way, that’s a payback in less than three years!
• Lower Cost-in-use of hand soap.
The automatic and controlled dosing of highly concentrated soap and surface cleaning chemicals provides an excellent cost-in-use versus bulk and bag-in-box systems..
• Significant reduction of maintenance cost
Technical Concepts systems are designed to install in fraction of the time that similar products require. And once operational, they deliver two key savings: 1) flush handles no longer need to be replaced regularly and 2) the very reliable performance of the dry technology makes frequent replacements of solenoid valves that fail redundant.
3) How can restroom automation drive sustainability and LEED efforts?
•Less chemicals in the waste stream
Controlled dispensing not only delivers immediate cost savings, but it also benefits the environment.
•Green Seal certified hand soaps
Help conserve the environment as well and qualify for LEED purchase credits.
•AutoFaucets reduce water consumption significantly
Water conservation is becoming more and more important. Using the AutoFaucet can immediately reduce water consumption up to 70%. An important contribution to attaining LEED credits.
•Reduced packaging waste through highly concentrated formulas.
The precision and controlled dispensing allows the use of highly concentrated formula’s being dosed in small shot sizes. The result: an unusually high amount of hand washes per bag, saving 60 to 80% in packaging material versus bag-in-box systems. It also saves servicing time as refills will not have to be changed that often and reduces potential ‘out-of-soap’ situation complaints.
4) How does the process to automate the restroom look like and what does it take?
As said, people don’t like to touch anything in the restroom. The most impact in improving health & wellness of staff and patrons and in particular, the prevention of pandemic diseases such as H1N1, is to automate the hand washing. Touch-free hand washing breaks the chain of cross contamination and actually increases hand wash compliance, the most important counter measurement mentioned by the CDC in preventing diseases.
Taking it one step further is automating the flushing and surface cleaning of the fixtures. Automatic Cleaning systems keeping toilets and urinals clean and sanitary round the clock, while controlling cleaning supply costs.
Air freshening systems really need to counter-act unavoidable odors to make the washroom visit pleasant. Selecting the proper air care system will complete the restroom experience and is a relatively inexpensive way to make a big impact.
The process typically involves a free evaluation by one of the RCP/TC representatives as the basis for a few simple and free trial programs, that help facilities determine exactly where the biggest benefits are for them.
It doesn’t take much investment to make a big impact on the health & wellness of staff and patrons, the environment and or budget savings.
Take advantage of one of our free trial programs or other special offers and boost your pandemic prevention plan.
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