4 minute read
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from Architectural Products - September/October 2022
by Buildings & Construction Group
Best Practices in Commercial Washrooms ›› Pinpointing Products
by Jeff Pitts Contributing Writer
Innovative Solutions for Commercial Washrooms
In a typical high-traffic public restroom, there might be a dozen hand-washing stations, but most people will still opt to use the same one or two faucets. As a result, the corresponding one or two soap dispensers will more frequently be found depleted and, over time, an abundance of annoyed handwashers can be produced. As mild frustration sets in, these frazzled folks generally feel their blood pressure elevate as they hover from sink to sink seeking to score a hit of Softsoap. People in this state are thought to be at an elevated risk of lashing out at other bathroom apparatuses or even harboring a lasting grudge against the host establishment.
While the scenario described above might sound petty, this sort of situation can lead to increased costs for maintenance, cleaning and repairs—plus a tarnished image for the building and the architect. The little things can make a big difference. By investing properly in the design phase of public bathrooms, some of these little issues can be avoided, according to Cyrus Boatwalla, Director of Marketing for ASI Group, an industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing fully integrated washroom accessories, partitions, lockers and visual display products. Well-informed product choices alleviate problems from the outset.
Soap Dispensing System
ASI’s multi-feed, top-fill soap dispensing system allows up to 12 soap dispensers to be replenished with a single pour into a unified soap reservoir via a counter-mounted port. The EZ Fill system utilizes a peristaltic pump—electrically operated, using batteries or alternating current—that pumps soap as needed to the dispensers, so the most in-demand dispensers won’t run out at a higher rate than the others. When the time for refills does eventually arrive, instead of maintenance personnel ducking beneath 12 separate wash stations to top off a dozen different canisters, the same tedious task is accomplished with a single, top-of-the-counter pour—no kneeling necessary. The product makes maintenance easier, less expensive and more manageable—especially in a multi-story high-rise with dozens of hand washing stations. Privacy Partitions
Another trending product that aims to solve a public restroom problem is ASI’s Integrated Privacy Partition. Equipped with built-in privacy strips, no retrofitting is necessary. They are integrated into the product from the beginning. The strips remove sight lines into bathroom stalls and other partitioned spaces to prevent accidental peep shows and obstruct inquiring eyes—bathroom breaks are not a spectator sport.
The modern era’s explosion of technological advancements has delivered the aforementioned solutions and a plethora of other new-and-improved products. But combing through this ocean of options to find every perfect solution can be overly oner-
ous for architects. Boatwalla suggests a shortcut to avoid getting bogged down: Collaborate with a wellinformed representative of a global manufacturer that boasts a wide range of competing materials, colors and product types.
“If you work with a partition manufacturer who only makes solid plastic partitions then the answer to every question you have is going to be, ‘Solid plastic partitions,’” he cautions. In contrast, ASI reps can offer information on all product types, not just a single kind.
“Architects are typically busy people,” he says, and while busy people naturally work to minimize distractions, ASI reps offer reliable expertise to help design teams focus. “They’re an asset and not an interruption,” he adds.
A well-informed rep should act as an advisor, offering a wealth of product information to pinpoint the ideal materials for various spaces within a project’s entirety. With access to a variety of product material types, reps can help determine the precise option that is ideal for each specific space.
Stainless Steel
In a school, for example, some locker materials will perform better than others depending on the surroundings. “You may want metal lockers for a school’s hallways,” informs Boatwalla. “But plastic lockers make more sense for the athletic facilities. High-traffic areas should generally offer easy-toclean surfaces that won’t easily rust or dent.”
Visual Display Products
Marker boards and visual display products likewise operate best while being utilized in specialized settings. ASI offers a multitude of differing options, including different framing systems and surface options to suit a myriad of needs and cost structures— porcelain and glass writing surfaces, for instance, as well as cork, fabric, vinyl and Forbo tackboards.
“Materials and products are the most important choices an architect can make in any building,” reminds Boatwalla. “If you put a powder-coated steel partition in an aquatic facility, that’s going to end up in the landfill a lot quicker than if you put a plastic one or a phenolic one.” So even though the project might pile up LEED points, in actuality it’s a bad outcome for the client and less than ideal for the environment, too.
