Smart installations are increasingly becoming prevalent features of modern public spaces. And educational institutions are no exception. Here’s how to find the right faucets for schools and daycares.
Touchless faucets prevent efficiently the spread of bacteria.
Providing a hygienic environment has moved up on the agenda of many schools and daycares in the past years.
Also, in years to come, public educational institutions across Europe will continue to be key actors for keeping children safe and healthy. So, how can the right type of faucets help build safety, hygiene and durability into daycares and school projects?
To manage contagion and keep students and staff safe, short-term, operational hygiene concepts are not enough.
We often forget that touching high concentration surfaces, such as faucets in public bathrooms, can be a major transmitter of germs as well.
As you’re diving deeper into the world of sanitary faucets, here’s how to find the right faucet for public daycares and schools.
Up to 80% of the most common diseases are transmitted through person-to-person contact or by touching the same surfaces.
A fully automated environment can help promote bathroom hygiene in schools and daycares and protect young children who are prone to spreading diseases from touching surfaces.
As a study by Canadian Journal for Microbiology shows, touchless faucets can significantly reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses sitting on the surface of the faucet.
In addition, incorporated Bluetooth technology in touchless faucets makes it easy to program regular, automated flushing to limit harmful microbes, such as legionellae, from forming in stagnated water.
This technology can be extremely beneficial in schools and daycares where faucets go unused for longer periods during weekends or holidays.
Touchless faucets can significantly reduce the presence of bacteria and viruses sitting on the surface of the faucet.
Carefully designed automatic faucets with a rounded edge design can increase usability and safety, especially for younger age groups in schools or daycares.
To prevent scalding accidents, consider models that allow premixed water temperature, such as the Oras Electra. By determining the perfect premixed water temperature, you can minimise the risk of children accidentally burning themselves with hot water.
When you’re deciding on the faucet, you’ll be able to decide between models with a convenient temperature adjustment handle installed on the faucet body’s side or models with cold/premixed water temperature and without the handle .
As temperature handles of the faucet can be removed or retrofitted to most touchless faucets with Bluetooth connection, there’s always the option to flexibly install access to cold or hot water if needed at a later stage.
Finally, it’s important to consider durability as a key factor when choosing the right faucet. They must be able to withstand long periods of sitting idle during the holidays and then respond to intensive use during term-time.
The right design can make your fixture less vulnerable to vandalism or tampering and protect schools from having to replace it again in 1-3 years.
Many models are specifically designed for durability in public spaces. The Oras Electra for example, comes with a seamless design, hidings most of the wires and battery case inside the faucet.
At the same time, the maximum flow-time can be limited to e.g. to 60 or 120 seconds. This is particularly beneficial to avoid water damages caused by accidentally placing objects in front of the faucet’s sensor that may lead to continuous water flow.
Public educational institutions usually work on a restricted budget, but hygiene doesn’t have to come at the cost of a small budget. In fact, touchless faucets can be a wise investment over the long run, helping to cut water bills and increase energy efficiency.
With many touchless faucets available on the market, considering the hygiene, safety, usability and durability of faucets can help you select the right one for your installation project.