Parkway Properties is a real estate investment trust with more than 50 office buildings in various parts of the country. In August of 2002, the management at the company’s headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi, was approached by Technical Concepts in Mundelein, Illinois, a leading manufacturer of automatic faucets, soap dispensers, and flushers for toilets and urinals.
Parkway management expressed an interest in testing the products in its headquarters building, One Jackson Place. The touch-free aspects of the fixtures were appealing, and the design of the products would add to the contemporary look of the Class A building. As an added benefit, Technical Concepts said the products conserve water. Return-on-investment studies at other facilities showed that reduced water costs generate savings that eventually cover the cost of converting to automated systems.
On a trial basis, Technical Concepts arranged for the installation of its AutoFaucets, OneShot soap dispensers and AutoFlush units in the restrooms on the floor occupied by Parkway Properties.
Unlike most automatic faucets that use solenoid valves, the AutoFaucet uses cam gears and a housing that prevent corrosion by protecting all electrical parts from moisture. The OneShot soap dispenser is mounted on the counter and projects over the edge of the sink. It provides just the right amount of soap for a thorough handwashing. The AutoFlush, in addition to its reliability, is easily installed in less than three minutes without shutting off the water. All three products are powered by batteries that last up to three years.
The products functioned without problems during the trial period. They required no maintenance, and helped keep the restrooms clean. Tenants of the building visiting the Parkway office made positive comments about the appearance and efficiency of the fixtures.
Several months after the initial installation, Parkway Properties added AutoFaucets, OneShot soap dispensers and several AutoFlush units to the restrooms throughout the 14-story building. People concerned about potential cross contamination in restrooms were particularly pleased with the touch-free systems.
Parkway Properties was also gratified to discover that the products made a significant contribution to water conservation. Savings reflected on the water bill were sufficient to cover the monthly charge for the products.
Several of the real estate investment firm’s other facilities have installed the restroom products from Technical Concepts, or are in the process of converting to automation.
Air Delights, Inc., a National Distributor of Technical Concepts products, offers the complete line of TC products available online at www.airdelghts.com or by calling toll free at 1-800-440-5556.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Reliability key to university’s choice of automatic flushers
Several years ago, Utah State University in Logan installed
automatic flushing units in a number of administration and classroom buildings.
Automation helped keep the washrooms clean and fresh, but the infrared-activated
flushers had a high failure rate and required frequent maintenance.
The university decided to replace the flushers with AutoFlush units from
Technical Concepts. The units used cam gears instead of solenoid valves,
protecting all electronic elements from corrosion caused by moisture. The units
also had fewer parts than several other brands, and were powered by standard
alkaline batteries that lasted up to three years.
The initial units were installed on toilets and urinals in three separate
high-use buildings and tested for 60 days. More were purchased to replace the
less-reliable flushers in several buildings.
More recently, Utah State also purchased automatic faucets from Technical
Concepts. The company uses the same propriety Radius touch-free technology in
its AutoFaucets that it developed for its flushing units and its OneShop soap
dispensers.
While the faucets were in trial, a new five-story inn on the campus was near
completion. The contractor had chosen a different brand of automatic faucet in
the bathrooms serving general areas. The faucets were poorly installed and were
not delivering the right temperature of water, so the university’s plumbing
department replaced all of them with AutoFaucets.
Air Delights, Inc. is a national distributor of Technical Concepts products and
repair parts including the AutoFlush,
AutoFaucet, and OneShot
Soap Dispenser and Refill Cartridges. Please visit our website at www.airdelights.com
or call us toll free at 1-800-440-5556 for more information or to purchase
Technical Concepts products or repair parts.
automatic flushing units in a number of administration and classroom buildings.
Automation helped keep the washrooms clean and fresh, but the infrared-activated
flushers had a high failure rate and required frequent maintenance.
The university decided to replace the flushers with AutoFlush units from
Technical Concepts. The units used cam gears instead of solenoid valves,
protecting all electronic elements from corrosion caused by moisture. The units
also had fewer parts than several other brands, and were powered by standard
alkaline batteries that lasted up to three years.
The initial units were installed on toilets and urinals in three separate
high-use buildings and tested for 60 days. More were purchased to replace the
less-reliable flushers in several buildings.
More recently, Utah State also purchased automatic faucets from Technical
Concepts. The company uses the same propriety Radius touch-free technology in
its AutoFaucets that it developed for its flushing units and its OneShop soap
dispensers.
While the faucets were in trial, a new five-story inn on the campus was near
completion. The contractor had chosen a different brand of automatic faucet in
the bathrooms serving general areas. The faucets were poorly installed and were
not delivering the right temperature of water, so the university’s plumbing
department replaced all of them with AutoFaucets.
Air Delights, Inc. is a national distributor of Technical Concepts products and
repair parts including the AutoFlush,
AutoFaucet, and OneShot
Soap Dispenser and Refill Cartridges. Please visit our website at www.airdelights.com
or call us toll free at 1-800-440-5556 for more information or to purchase
Technical Concepts products or repair parts.
New generation of flush valves won school district over
New generation of flush valves won school district over — When Gerard A. Guilmette School in Lawrence, Mass., opened in 2001 it was state-of-the-art, especially the restrooms. The school was an early adopter of touchless Sloan flushometers, which offer the advantages of ADA compliance, water conservation, increased hygiene and protection against vandalism. But as with any new product, each new generation proves better than the last. When the flushometers were installed, sensor technology had not hit its stride. And in Lawrence’s harsh water environment, it lagged in performance.
“The water in Lawrence is unclean and poor,” says Greg Hinchcliffe, head engineer at Guilmette School. “We have high pressure and a lot of sediment. As a result, the battery-operated flushometers could not take it.”
The first valves that were installed had a short unit life because of water run-on. The staff would clean them, change the batteries and still have the same problems.
“It seemed we worked on them two hours every day, and we would still have problems,” Hinchcliffe says.
Nevertheless, Hinchcliffe decided to give Sloan another try. He selected the G2 Optima Plus battery-powered flushometer. The mechanics of the G2 — most notably its patented isolated operator that shields the solenoid from water exposure — sets this flushometer apart from past generations of sensor-operated valves.
Since the G2s were installed they have been nearly maintenance free. They were installed right out of the box and required minimal field adjustments. Batteries only need to be changed when an LED flashes, and the water doesn’t have to be turned off to change them.
Air Delights, Inc. is a national distributor of Sloan Valve products and repair
parts including the G2 Optima Automatic Flusher for toilets or
urinals. Please visit our website at www.airdelights.com
or call us toll free at 1-800-440-5556 for more information or to purchase Sloan Valve products or repair parts.
No Flush...No Way
By Klaus Reichardt
About 15 years ago, when waterless urinals were new to the North American market, there was little resistance to the devices. They were often thought of as a novelty item and only avant-garde architects and builders and developers in such states as Arizona, California, and Texas considered them viable and valuable.
However, that has all changed, and changed rather dramatically in the past couple of years. Water concerns have spread throughout the United States even in some areas that are normally considered water-rich. But most significantly, reducing water usage is considered the “Green” thing to do and can even help facilities earn points toward LEED certification.
All is not rosy, however, and the welcome mat for waterless urinal systems is not found in every community. One of the first concerns that had to be addressed, and in some localities continues to surface, is the concern that waterless systems are unsanitary and potentially a health risk.
In fact, “there have been more studies conducted on waterless urinals than perhaps any other plumbing fixture or product,” says Winston Huff, a LEED Accredited Professional. “We know they are safe and sanitary as long as they are properly maintained.”
Not only was this concern addressed in favor of the waterless urinal systems, but some studies concluded that waterless systems are actually more sanitary and hygienic than water-based urinals. This is because no water is sprayed with the flush, which can release airborne bacteria to nearby walls, floors, and other surfaces. In addition, bacteria usually do not develop on the urinal surface because the interior walls stay dry. Further, the user never comes into physical contact with the system.
Code ConflictsPassing the health test was one hurdle; however, in some localities, others remain. Some code officials simply do not understand the technology, and in many situations, the installation of waterless urinals is simply not an item covered—resulting in rejection of their installation. In these cases, developers must apply for a variance or special concession to install waterless systems—and only after code officials have been given a detailed explanation of how they work, are maintained, and are installed.
Another road block surfaces in some cities that allow the installation of waterless systems, but only if a water line is placed behind the urinal banks should it be necessary. Other localities even require that a “roughed-in” flush valve connection be installed and ready for service above each waterless unit.
This can add to installation costs, forcing some developers to forestall the installation of no-water urinals. And in those restrooms where look and design are a key concern, having the roughed-in valve area exposed over the urinals, no matter how well concealed, distracts from the overall appearance desired.
Union ConcernsPossibly the most vocal obstacle, although it has recently dwindled significantly, has come from local plumbing unions. This came to a head in 2007 with the construction of the Comcast Center office tower in Philadelphia. The $540 million building sought to be one of the Greenest structures in the city as well as the United States. To do this, the owners wanted to install waterless systems to help save an estimated 1.6 million gallons of water per year.
However, the local union opposed the no-water systems, sometimes returning to arguments that they are unsanitary, but also indicating they required less installation time and needed fewer repairs than a conventional urinal, impacting their members’ pocketbooks.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached through negotiations with the city’s mayor, permitting the installation of the waterless systems but requiring that the water supply infrastructure also be installed behind the urinals. As part of the agreement, the developer of the tower was also prohibited from installing any other waterless urinal systems in any other city facility for five years.
Trends and DirectionNo matter the obstacles, the trends and directions are clear. Waterless urinal systems will continue to garner greater interest in years to come and be installed in many more facilities. This is evident by the fact that at one time, Waterless No-Flush® urinals were the only systems available. Today, several manufacturers are producing waterless urinals.
The best way to head off no-flush urinal conflicts and address installation concerns is by developing a building team and making sure everyone on the team is well-versed on the technology, understands how it works, and is enthusiastic about it. This includes the architect and the contractors as well as the building owners and developers, and even the key building tenants if it's an office building.
Additionally, developers should look for supportive waterless urinal manufacturers and distributors. Some manufacturers have had ample experience dealing with code and building regulators and know what issues may materialize and how to address them.
“If you are going in front of the code review board, they can be there to help state the [waterless] case,” says Huff.
About 15 years ago, when waterless urinals were new to the North American market, there was little resistance to the devices. They were often thought of as a novelty item and only avant-garde architects and builders and developers in such states as Arizona, California, and Texas considered them viable and valuable.
However, that has all changed, and changed rather dramatically in the past couple of years. Water concerns have spread throughout the United States even in some areas that are normally considered water-rich. But most significantly, reducing water usage is considered the “Green” thing to do and can even help facilities earn points toward LEED certification.
All is not rosy, however, and the welcome mat for waterless urinal systems is not found in every community. One of the first concerns that had to be addressed, and in some localities continues to surface, is the concern that waterless systems are unsanitary and potentially a health risk.
In fact, “there have been more studies conducted on waterless urinals than perhaps any other plumbing fixture or product,” says Winston Huff, a LEED Accredited Professional. “We know they are safe and sanitary as long as they are properly maintained.”
Not only was this concern addressed in favor of the waterless urinal systems, but some studies concluded that waterless systems are actually more sanitary and hygienic than water-based urinals. This is because no water is sprayed with the flush, which can release airborne bacteria to nearby walls, floors, and other surfaces. In addition, bacteria usually do not develop on the urinal surface because the interior walls stay dry. Further, the user never comes into physical contact with the system.
Code ConflictsPassing the health test was one hurdle; however, in some localities, others remain. Some code officials simply do not understand the technology, and in many situations, the installation of waterless urinals is simply not an item covered—resulting in rejection of their installation. In these cases, developers must apply for a variance or special concession to install waterless systems—and only after code officials have been given a detailed explanation of how they work, are maintained, and are installed.
Another road block surfaces in some cities that allow the installation of waterless systems, but only if a water line is placed behind the urinal banks should it be necessary. Other localities even require that a “roughed-in” flush valve connection be installed and ready for service above each waterless unit.
This can add to installation costs, forcing some developers to forestall the installation of no-water urinals. And in those restrooms where look and design are a key concern, having the roughed-in valve area exposed over the urinals, no matter how well concealed, distracts from the overall appearance desired.
Union ConcernsPossibly the most vocal obstacle, although it has recently dwindled significantly, has come from local plumbing unions. This came to a head in 2007 with the construction of the Comcast Center office tower in Philadelphia. The $540 million building sought to be one of the Greenest structures in the city as well as the United States. To do this, the owners wanted to install waterless systems to help save an estimated 1.6 million gallons of water per year.
However, the local union opposed the no-water systems, sometimes returning to arguments that they are unsanitary, but also indicating they required less installation time and needed fewer repairs than a conventional urinal, impacting their members’ pocketbooks.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached through negotiations with the city’s mayor, permitting the installation of the waterless systems but requiring that the water supply infrastructure also be installed behind the urinals. As part of the agreement, the developer of the tower was also prohibited from installing any other waterless urinal systems in any other city facility for five years.
Trends and DirectionNo matter the obstacles, the trends and directions are clear. Waterless urinal systems will continue to garner greater interest in years to come and be installed in many more facilities. This is evident by the fact that at one time, Waterless No-Flush® urinals were the only systems available. Today, several manufacturers are producing waterless urinals.
The best way to head off no-flush urinal conflicts and address installation concerns is by developing a building team and making sure everyone on the team is well-versed on the technology, understands how it works, and is enthusiastic about it. This includes the architect and the contractors as well as the building owners and developers, and even the key building tenants if it's an office building.
Additionally, developers should look for supportive waterless urinal manufacturers and distributors. Some manufacturers have had ample experience dealing with code and building regulators and know what issues may materialize and how to address them.
“If you are going in front of the code review board, they can be there to help state the [waterless] case,” says Huff.
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