How to save water, money, stop blockages and cross contamination
June 1st 2006

All buildings, especially if used both by visitors and staff, are at risk of three avoidable potential washroom problems.

One is water wastage and its cost - both for metered supply and sewerage. The second is waste-pipe blockages from build-ups of discarded food and sweet wrappers, partly used antiseptic blocks, chewing gum, human hair, etc. The third is cross-contamination from touching controls, handles or levers.

Cistermiser says all three can be dealt with by installing its no-touch watersaving valves plus its high-grade Freeway urinal waste-pipe filters wherever automatic flushing cisterns are fitted in men's urinals. In fact the current water regulations demand the fitting of water-saving devices with all new automatic cistern installations.

According to the company, the Cistermiser Infrared Control (IRC) and lower-cost hydraulic valves save around 80% of water wastage, metering and sewerage costs, as does its comprehensive Washroom Control package. All of these no-touch devices run regular hygiene flushes when facilities are not in use and the valves are listed by DEFRA for Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA), so their buying and fitting costs are tax-deductible in the year of purchase.

Freeway filters, which work best together with such valves, contain Bioblocks which can be easily replaced as part of cleaning routines. They are made of stainless steel, look as good as new indefinitely, and their many perforations stand proud of any debris build-up to allow free flow of liquids.

The Bioblocks also prevent noxious odours and can be supplemented by dosing with Freeflush microbiological compound if and when stubborn smells persist in waste pipes.

Where automatic cisterns are not fitted, the company's Direct Flush is also ECA-listed, and further water and cost savings can be made with its adjustable Infrared taps and lowvolume Easyflush wc cistern valves. Both are also no-touch to avoid any chance of crosscontamination.

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