商业卫生间反思： 进行免接触式改造的最佳时机

各类商业设施都在快速继续将其卫生间改造为免接触式改造，给回归的顾客带来更方便的享受，并提升整体健康。 仕龙在 1974, 年推出首款免接触感应式水龙头，并且积累了比任何其他品牌都多的冲洗阀安装经验，我们的独特定位让我们能够以简单和节省成本的方式在这次改造变革中加以协助。 仕龙技术培训经理 Andrew Warnes 提供了关于免接触式改造趋势的见解。

How has the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for restroom retrofits?
The heightened 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 its 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 individuals can undertake to prevent the spread of infectious disease. As a result, “high-touch” restroom surfaces like flush handles, manual faucets, door handles, and manual soap or paper towel dispensers an are becoming increasingly phased out in favor of sensor-operated technology. Health officials and facilities have also realized that customers will wash their hands more often when they feel safe doing so. Having touch-free facilities increases the likelihood of customers engaging in proper hand hygiene and can improve overall public health outcomes.

Have there been any COVID outbreaks directly linked to the use of manual restroom products?
We’ve recently become aware of one of the first documented “super-spreader” events attributed to the use of manual fixtures in a public restroom. In that instance, a number of employees working on the Toei Oedo subway line contracted COVID-19 because they shared a single manual faucet in the employee break room. The Toei Oedo subway line is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation and prior to the pandemic had almost a million riders daily. In December 2020 it was reported that 39 subway drivers on the line were infected after one person who was ill likely contaminated a manual faucet handle with their saliva while brushing their teeth in the break area. The subsequent illness and number of sick drivers led to a 30% loss in productivity across the 38-station subway line almost immediately. To rectify the situation, the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation publicly committed to convert all the restrooms in 38 stations along the line from manual to touch-free sensor operation.

How is sensor-operated technology impacting more than just proper hygiene?
Touch-free technology can accomplish more than just effective handwashing. With the Internet of Things (IoT) having made its way into restroom products, faucets are able to store information which enables maintenance teams to remotely diagnose issues. It’s even possible to monitor the percentage of CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) compliant handwashes taking place within a particular location. “Smart” restroom fittings and fixtures are now making it possible to measure water usage for each faucet or flushometer within their commercial restrooms. Facility teams can see which devices are being used and how often. This has incredible implications for scheduling maintenance. It’s one of the key advances expected to help facilities evolve from preventative maintenance to the new world of “predictive maintenance.” 

Are there different considerations for touch-free retrofits based on the building environment?
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 healthcare 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.

在高客流量的场地中，例如公共交通设施，其目标是让顾客尽快地从卫生间中离开，而免接触集成式水槽系统将洗手过程的所有步骤都集成在伸手可及的范围内，从而提供了最佳的解决方案。 集成式水槽系统将感应式水龙头、皂液器和干手机集成在一处，它可以使洗手过程更加高效，同时还能防止水滴落到地面上，从而避免滑倒事件的发生。

在教育行业中，学校中的设施经常面临着学生的破坏行为。 学生可能会滥用设备，或故意不关水龙头，把卫生间淹没。 免接触式水龙头、感应式座便器和小便池冲洗阀不仅可以提升学校的卫生水平，还可以防止用水浪费、破坏行为以及淹水事件的发生。

How is Sloan helping to make touch-free upgrades easy and efficient?
There are more Sloan manual flushometers installed in public restrooms than any other brand – and this makes the upgrade to touch-free operation very simple and very cost effective. Sloan has supplied “retrofit kits” for many years that eliminate much of the uncertainty, hassle, and cost from manual upgrades. From top-mount and side-mount retrofits that can be installed in just a matter of minutes, these are the best available option for a facility that hopes to open quickly with touch-free products.

这是与仕龙主题专家进行的一系列问答环节的第 24 部分，内容涉及他们对商业卫生间的历史、发展现状以及未来走向的看法。 单击此处阅读关于商业卫生间设计趋势的上一篇播客。