Technology

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY IN THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY

The start of 2020 has seen the world stop because of the COVID-19 global pandemic and with that has come a renewed focus on the technology that the plumbing industry has on hand to help prevent the spread of similar viruses in the future.

Plumbers and gasfitters protect the health and safety of the community. This has been a message that many in the industry, MPAQ included, have been trying to promote for years. Until recently, many people in first world countries may have only been aware of this on the periphery of their day-to-day lives because, let’s face it, it’s not often in the built up, highly populated areas of countries like Australia that you’re faced with the illnesses and complications that arise from poor sanitation and hygiene. However, following the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the importance that plumbing plays in the sanitation and hygiene of our daily lives has become much more mainstream.

Across the world there has been a renewed appreciation for having the ability to wash your hands with clean water—it has been the advice from most governing bodies and health professions that washing your hands thoroughly and correctly is one of the most effective ways of preventing the transference of viruses.

But we live in the year 2020. In 2020 we have the technology at our finger tips to take hygiene to another level. Washing your hands is great, but what good is it if you then have to touch taps that hundreds of people have touched before you. Now more than ever, touch-free products are vitally important in public areas, and manufacturers are embracing smart technology in fixtures and fittings.

Outside of the hygiene aspects of new technology, plumbers are selling their customers a luxurious lifestyle with the products they sell; it’s all about products that look good and improve the consumer’s life.

Technology in plumbing has also had a substantial impact on plumbing businesses and their employees. New and innovative tools are being brought to market all the time, and with each new development they help to make jobs more efficient and introduce new levels of accuracy.

Energy efficiency has become an important way of living, and technology helps the plumbing industry contribute to that through the tools plumbers use to the products they sell to the way they do business. Plumbing companies have to see these developments as an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors and to extend their unique selling proposition.

Embracing technology advancements should be a part of every business’s growth strategy. It is about convenience, comfort, energy efficiency, and safety—for both the business, the employees, and the customer.

Over the next few pages, we feature some of the innovative ways the industry has been embracing technology.

RIDGID ® MICRO CA-150 INSPECTION CAMERA

The RIDGID ® micro CA-150 Inspection Camera is an ideal tool for detailed visual inspections in hard-to-reach areas. Its features include:

• Comfortable pistol grip design, large screen, and easy to use interface • Capture up to 20 still images during inspections to playback on screen later • Large 3.5” colour display allows fast diagnosis in tight hidden spaces • Includes a durable blow-moulded case for protective storage and transportation • Illuminate dark spaces with four adjustable LEDs on the waterproof camera head • Interchangeable camera heads for smaller spaces (optional) • Cable reach is 0.9m, expandable to 9.1m with optional extensions • Includes attachments - mirror, hook and magnet • Get the perfect view with enhanced features like image rotation

The Ridge Tool Company is a world leading manufacturer of professional quality pipe and tube working tools serving the plumbing, mechanical, construction, HVAC, location, electrical and facility maintenance industries. The RIDGID ® trademark is recognised by professional tradespersons and engineers for uncompromising product quality, performance, durability and service.

For more information contact Ridge Tool Australia on 1800 743 443, email ridgid.australia@emerson.com or visit www.ridgid.com.au.

AUSTWORLD PILLAR SENSOR TAPS FOR HYGIENIC HANDWASHING

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a renewed focus on infection control and sanitary hygiene. Austworld’s Autoflow range of sensor taps have been shown to be extremely effective in reducing the spread of disease through non-contact handwashing.

The current favourite is the pillar sensor tap range, which has recently been expanded with a focus on providing tapware for hygienic handwashing in a variety of situations.

Utilising Neoperl’s advanced flow control and aeration technology, there are three distinct variants of the standard Pillar sensor tap being offered: economical flow, regular flow, and healthcare.

The Pillar Standard Eco-flow uses a spray type aerator to deliver a conservative 6-star WELS rating, for applications where water conservation is critical, without compromising on effectiveness of handwashing. The Pillar Standard Regular flow delivers a 5-star WELS rating for general applications where water usage is less critical.

The Pillar Standard Healthcare utilises a special aerator featuring Agion ® antimicrobial technology, which offers long lasting protection against bacteria reproduction. Coupled with smooth laminar flow, and timed, automatic flushing of the faucet (in all Pillar models), this model is perfectly suited to health care environments and hospitals.

Visit www.austworld.com.au to learn more.

STIEBEL ELTRON – TOUCH FREE HAND WASHING

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently the most serious issue facing the world. One of the most important ways to prevent the spread of the virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

Sensor taps provide the best solution to hygiene as your hands do not need to come into contact with the tap. This is particularly important in shared bathrooms, where users are exposed to germs from other users.

Wherever smaller volumes of warm water are frequently required, the STIEBEL ELTRON DEM 6 mini electric instantaneous water heater is the perfect choice. This appliance delivers water at the electronically controlled set temperature without having to overcome long supply lines with resulting line losses.

Consequently, the DEM is ideally suited to washbasins in commercial bathrooms, where a constant outlet temperature is preferred. Delivering a maximum of 50°C hot water following AS3498, the DEM is hardwired to the 230 V mains.

Sold with a chrome sensor tap, the STIEBEL ELTRON DEM 6 + WSH is a package that goes well with any interior. Visit www.stiebel-eltron.com.au to learn more.

GET JETTING NOW

MOBILE WASH STATION

Stoddart’s Mobile Wash Stations (WB.MSSC and WB.MSMF) are power-free and hands-free hygiene options. The WB.MSSC is self-contained and includes two 20 litre water containers: one for fresh water and one for waste water. The WB.MSMF is mobile, single mains fed and foot operated.

• Hands free, foot operation for hygienic washing • Mobile unit with handle and castors to rear easy and safe movement • Heavy duty 304 stainless steel construction • Enclosed splashback and sides for minimal splashing • Both models come standard with soap and paper towel dispenser as shown • No power connection required

Plumbers who specialise in drain cleaning are now being inundated with work. They are under pressure to cover as many jobs as possible to prevent infection and the spread of germs.

Aussie Pumps, the leading drain jetter manufacturer in the country, is reporting a sales surge as plumbers upgrade their gear.

“We’re finding many plumbers who traditionally use mechanical eels and snakes to clear drains, are now switching to high pressure “jetters”. They are telling us how using high pressure water to clear chokes is done in a fraction of the time,” said Aussie Pumps’ Albie Bester.

Making the leap to a jetter is affordable thanks to Aussie Pumps’ Jetter Jackpot initiative. The company is promoting their entry level Class A 4,000 psi Cobra A jetter for only $7,000 plus GST. That’s $1,540 off the recommended list price!

As a class A jetter, no operator RTO certification is required under the Australian High Pressure Jetting Safety Standards. That means a plumber can be in the jetting business without the need for formal RTO training and certification.

“We provide a complete Jetter safety manual and online videos that show how to use and maintain a jetter,” said Bester. “However, there are also a lot of trade videos from plumbers that show just how easy it is to use our machines,” he said.

Councils and water authorities across the country are warning of major issues with non-flushables being used as a result of loo roll shortages. Sydney Water have reported a 22% increase in blockages caused by these non-dissolving items.

To learn more about these products, visit www.stoddart.com.au.

With the Federal Government’s extended 100% instant asset write-off, a plumber can then also claim back tax against the purchase.

For more information about the Aussie Jetter Jackpot initiative contact Aussie Pumps on 02 8835 3500.

CAROMA SMART COMMAND ECO-SYSTEM

As organisations and buildings seek to ensure that their tenants and bathroom users are protected from the spread of harmful bacteria and illness, cleanliness and hygiene in public or shared bathroom spaces is now more important than ever.

As public or shared bathrooms are high traffic spaces, they carry with them a higher risk of bacterial spread. It is, therefore, important that fixtures and systems be put in place that can help reduce the risk of transmission and drive more hygienic outcomes for users.

The advent of sensor activated tapware and soap dispenser products heralded a fundamental step towards reducing the risk to users when they interact with public or shared bathroom spaces; however, more can be done by better understanding user behaviour through data and insights.

The award winning Caroma Smart Command plumbing eco-system features a full suite of interconnected touch-free plumbing fixtures, which can help combat the spread of harmful bacteria at those key areas in a bathroom space that users interact with. This smart eco-system is comprised of designer sensor tapware, automatic flush urinals, and sensor toilet flush panels, as-well-as all the additional technology hardware and cloud dashboard analytics. The interconnectivity of the system enables individual fixture level data to be transformed into actionable insights for building managers.

This unprecedented level of data capture across plumbing systems helps building managers drive the sustainable management of water in their building, cost savings through cleaning and maintenance efficiencies, and supports positive user experience through touchless interactions and insights into hygiene practices.

Building managers can draw on such insights as toilet and urinal use numbers overlaid with tapware activation numbers and hand-wash duration periods to provide a clear indication as to how hygienic a given bathroom’s users are. Armed with this near real time insight, building managers can enact targeted educational programs to help drive more hygienic bathroom practices.

Most recently, Caroma has rounded out the ultimate smart bathroom plumbing eco-system with the introduction of the Intelligent Shower & Eco Valve, which became available on the market from April 2020.

This latest addition to the Caroma Smart Command eco-system rounds out a portfolio of Bluetooth enabled, cloud connected smart bathroom fixtures, which provides building managers with never

seen data and insights into their building’s water usage. Enabling informed, proactive decision making to provide better experiences for users, predict maintenance, and help save every drop of water.

The Intelligent Shower provides a seamless user experience with touchscreen operation, which enables precise thermostatic temperature control as-well-as displaying shower duration and water usage to encourage shorter showers and water mindfulness.

Available in a single port that allows the operation of a singular shower fixture, a dual port that can divert between an overhead and hand shower, or a three port eco variant that gives the ability to recapture water while the thermostatic mixer is reaching the desired temperature. This recapture feature ensures every last drop of water is saved.

“This Intelligent Shower not only enhances the user experience, it does so without compromising on the building managers ability to control and monitor a building’s water performance,” Caroma Smart Command Marketing Manager Carl Gee says.

“The ability to monitor bathroom fixtures via the Caroma Smart Command cloud and mobile app allows the early detection of maintenance issues or leaks. However, the missing link was understanding what’s happening behind the wall,” says Gee.

Its estimated that up to 21% of a commercial office’s water usage can be attributed to preventable water leaks*. The challenge has always been how to identify when a leak is occurring and where so that it can be isolated and fixed.

The Caroma Smart Command Eco Valve is an Australian first of its kind. When installed within a bathroom plumbing system the Eco Valve can be programmed to detect unplanned excessive water flow, isolate the issue, and send alerts directly to the building manager so that quick decisions can be made on how best to react. This helps ensure bathroom uptime and positive user experiences.

The Intelligent Shower and Eco Valve launched into the Australian market this April and is available for all commercial building specifications.

Visit www.specify.caroma.com.au to learn more.

*Caroma Smart Command Sustainability Case Study | Sustainability case study Report –Norman Disney & Young –Aug 2019

PATIENT WELLBEING AND COMFORT – AT THE HEART OF ENWARE’S NEW AQUABLEND ® HEALTH TMV DESIGN

No one likes to think that harmful bacteria exist in their facility; however, monitoring and controlling the danger of bacterial growth within aged care and health care facilities is an ongoing and complex issue faced by providers and users every day.

It is vital to the safety and wellbeing of both staff and patients that bacteria growth is monitored and controlled to a strict standard in health and aged care facilities. That is the reason why safety measures and a detailed Water Quality Risk Management (WQRM) plan are crucial in these high-risk environments.

The reality is that water health is a challenging issue. Did you know a hospital ensuite shower is one of the highest risk locations for a patient to inhale legionella?

The key environmental conditions that encourage the growth and spread of legionella are: • The inorganic and organic content of the water; • The presence of biofilm – sticky microorganisms that adhere to surfaces; and • Stagnant water (deadlegs) – water that has not flowed for an amount of time.

Legionella can multiply at temperatures from 20°C to 70°C. The optimum condition for legionella is warm stagnant water at a temperature of around 35°C. Legionnaires’ disease can especially affect those with already compromised health or those who have underlying medical conditions.

Designing and developing smarter, healthier, safer ensuite bathroom solutions have been the driving force behind the new Aquablend ® Health TMV.

How does the Aquablend ® Health TMV control prevent legionella growth?

The small, compact Aquablend ® Health TMV can simply be installed in the shower behind the shower mixer. Being installed so close to a bacteria risk point, such as the shower, means shorter pipe work between the TMV and shower and, therefore, minimal potential to hold unhealthy stagnant water.

This means short, direct pipework: • The pipe is more frequently replenished with fresh water • Quicker, easier flushing and thermal scouring – using the thermal flush function • Less surface area for biofilms to develop • The user benefits from a reduction in bacteria harbouring • No cold shower as the water gets mixed at the point of use in the shower

Due to the Aquablend ® Health TMV’s incredibly compact size and integrated shower mixer the TMV is able to be installed at the point of use and at a good point of service while looking great.

This means: • Easier, more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing architecture design • Direct point of service if thermal flushing is required to sanitize stagnant water and scour biofilms

• Easy tool access to front-facing service components: • Adjust temperature mixture • Perform thermal flushing without recommissioning – saving time and money • Maintain strainers and check valves • Access all test ports, servicing parts, inlets, outlets and mounting hardware • A handy four way bypass mixer, supplies the shower, toilet, ensuite basin and clinical basin.

Smart Flow ® compatible – now that’s definitely a bonus when it comes to informed risk management and performance analysis of the water delivery system. This means that: • Smart Flow ® software shows real time readings and records information history, such as: • Water temperatures over time • Areas at risk of stagnate water • Flow or lack-of-flow and water usage • Alert notifications • Meets Water Quality Risk Management (WQRM) plan requirements

Patient wellbeing and comfort are Enware’s top priorities and are at the heart of their design, now and into the future.

Visit www.enware.com.au to learn more.