FEATURE
Advanced restrooms deliver hygiene and more Words Michael Slawson
Five benefits of smart restroom solutions that help facilities succeed.
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n the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic, one thing is clear: Hygiene is king. And there seems to be little debate that today’s daunting demand for heightened hygiene will remain long after the pandemic itself has waned. For businesses, that means the ability to improve hygiene and protect the health and well-being of facility occupants is critical to their survival. This puts a great deal of pressure on facility managers and building service contractors (BSCs), who must identify cleaning and maintenance solutions that will lead to success. Fortunately, advanced smart restroom technologies are available that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to create data-driven facility management solutions. Some of these solutions monitor, analyse, and measure information that directly impact hygiene—and a great deal more. Five timely benefits of smart restroom solutions that can help facilities survive and succeed are: 1. Heightened hygiene 2. Improved sustainability 3. Enhanced user experience 4. Reduced staff burnout 5. Elevated confidence
HEIGHTENED HYGIENE Smart restroom solutions help improve hygiene for both restroom users and custodians. By monitoring supply levels and alerting custodians 36 INCLEAN July / August 2021
when levels are low, smart technologies help ensure soap, sanitiser, and towel dispensers are adequately stocked so users can properly wash, dry, and sanitise their hands. Custodians can spend more time cleaning and sanitising additional spaces because they aren’t constantly running in and out of restrooms to check supply levels. By ensuring touch points like doorknobs, faucet handles, and toilet paper dispensers are cleaned and sanitised regularly, smart solutions help reduce the number of germs on surfaces and protect restroom patrons. By guiding custodians to refill and sanitise only when necessary, these workers come in contact with fewer touch points, lessening their own exposure to germs.
IMPROVED SUSTAINABILITY Over the past two decades, information has become readily available about the harmful effects of a wide range of products on the environment while, simultaneously, concern has grown about the depletion of the earth’s natural resources. In response, many facilities have gone to great lengths to implement sustainable business practices. Smart restroom solutions can help facilities improve hygiene while simultaneously advancing sustainability. By implementing technology that alerts custodians to refill dispensers only when needed, facilities reduce product waste. And by monitoring flush valves and faucets to help