Commercial Restroom Reflections: IoT in the Restroom

The Internet of Things (IoT) has helped facility managers perform their jobs more efficiently, from monitoring usage to proactively troubleshooting issues. In the IoT framework, devices are linked to one another and to the internet, enabling communication and data sharing. This connectivity may be achieved through either wired or wireless means, facilitating a broad spectrum of applications.

With IoT platforms, you can effortlessly collect and analyze data, facilitating efficient management. This trend continues to evolve, particularly in restrooms, offering additional benefits such as improved reporting, enhanced hygiene, and the achievement of sustainability goals. 

Lynn Walldorf, Senior Product Manager, IoT & PWT, discusses this trend and how Sloan’s expanded line of connected products is helping facility managers gain insights.

The Internet of Things has been around for several years now in the commercial restroom, but how are recent advancements better supporting facility maintenance teams today?

Recent advancements in IoT technology have greatly enhanced support for facility maintenance teams in commercial restrooms. One of the key improvements is the collection and utilization of data, which has revolutionized preventative maintenance scheduling. Instead of conducting maintenance on a fixed annual basis, facilities staff can now base maintenance on the number of activations, eliminating guesswork. IoT also provides insights into restroom traffic patterns, enabling maintenance to be scheduled with minimal disruption.

Furthermore, we've introduced a feature in SC Argus™ Pro, our management station, where maintenance teams can add notes for each smart product. This feature has proven invaluable for our customers, as it allows them to track the maintenance history of their products. For instance, when performing tasks like changing diaphragms or batteries, maintenance staff can log the date of service and any relevant information in the notes section. This information can then be easily accessed whenever needed, providing a comprehensive maintenance history for each product.

Additionally, maintenance teams—particularly managers—really like the fact that if there’s an issue, they will receive an alarm or notification.  These alerts notify them of any issues promptly, allowing for timely resolution. Additionally, the ability to review historical data helps in understanding when events occurred and when they were resolved. This information is crucial for staff planning; prolonged turnaround times may indicate the need for additional staffing.

To that point, there is a workforce shortage right now. Does IoT help facility maintenance teams that may be a bit shorthanded?

IoT helps in several ways. For instance, in facilities like stadiums that experience off-seasons with minimal restroom use, instead of dispatching a maintenance professional to conduct line flushes, everything can be done remotely. This saves a lot of time and resources.

There are a number of benefits facility managers can gain from an IoT platform. But to you, what’s the most impactful?

I would say the customer’s ability to slice and dice data differently by customizing reports; they can review historical data over a specific timeframe, or if they want to use reclaimed water, they can look at the usage of water closets and urinals, and what the impact would be.

Customers are even coming up with ways to use data that we didn't initially think of, which is exciting because it helps us create additional analytics and reports, while helping them create a better experience for their customers.

For example, a stadium can look at the usage over the course of a game or concert to identify how many activations took place in the restroom. When correlated with attendance data, this helps to determine if they have enough faucets, or if there’s the proper ratio of urinals to water closets. If there’s a renovation, this data helps facilities create an even better restroom experience in the future.

Moreover, the information Sloan receives from the IoT platform allows us to better understand how our customers operate our products. This creates an excellent feedback loop for us to better service our products installed in the field, develop even better products, and to make sure that the features we're adding are really what customers want.

How is Sloan’s SC Argus Pro innovation going to boost Sloan's IoT offering from its existing Bluetooth platform?

SC Argus Pro represents a significant leap forward in our IoT offering. With this innovation, customers no longer need to be physically present in the restroom to collect data or adjust settings; they can do so remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. This full two-way communication, akin to the Sloan Connect app, but now remote, saves a considerable amount of time and effort.

Furthermore, SC Argus Pro enhances reporting capabilities. While Sloan Connect offers a snapshot, single-page report, SC Argus Pro offers multiple reports with customizable data. Customers can access as many reports as they need and download them as necessary, providing a comprehensive view of their restroom operations.

Where does IoT in the commercial restroom go from here?

We’re going to expand our offerings with more products and analytics tailored to different verticals and building types.

Expect to see a variety of new products aimed at providing insights into consumable usage, such as hand dryers with HEPA filters and connected soap dispensers. This isn’t just about convenience; it ties into sustainability efforts as well. Hand dryers encourage the use of less paper, and connected soap dispensers help monitor soap levels accurately, promoting better hand hygiene.

Furthermore, there’s a growing emphasis on features like leak detection, metering, and healthcare-focused applications such as hand hygiene tracking and legionella prevention. We're also looking into air quality monitoring and other health-related functionalities.

Sloan is at the forefront of innovation in the connected restroom, providing immediately impactful data and insights. At the same time, we’re constantly expanding our portfolio so that customers will be well-prepared for future advancements in IoT technology.