Cistermiser’s water saving expertise has been deployed within the washrooms at Caldicot Scout hut in Monmouthshire.
Hydraulic control valves from Cistermiser save water by providing automatic urinal flushing, helping to prevent water waste and combating spiralling utilities costs. Now the scout hut has the reassurance that its washroom water use is being effectively controlled.
The hydraulic valve from Cistermiser is the default urinal control valve for the industry. It can be used to upgrade anolder cistern, ensuring it is only filled and a flush is only possible when the washroom is occupied. By regulating urinal flushing, water use is moderated, costs can be controlled and urinals are kept hygienic and odour-free.
Installed at the entry pipe to the urinal cistern, the Cistermiser valve remains closed until the water pressure alters. When a user is present in the washroom, the hydraulic valve is triggered as the water supply pressure changes – in practice when another water outlet is opened. Typically this means that the urinal is flushed when the washroom user washes their hands.
“Over half of all ‘domestic’ water in commercial buildings such as this can be accounted for by urinals flushing needlessly, regardless of whether they are in use or not,” explains Cistermiser’s Technical Manager, David Meacock, “An uncontrolled urinal may flush up to four times every hour, regardless even of whether the building is occupied at all.
“Modern Water Regulations stipulate that no more than 7.5 litres of water should be used per bowl per hour (10 litres for a single bowl) and each urinal should have a device fitted to prevent flushing when the building is unoccupied. Sadly there are still many washrooms across the UK that fail to comply with the regulations, so the costs and environmental impacts for these building managers really adds up.”
The valve operates mechanically using Cistermiser’s proprietary hydraulic technology. With no electrical supply or batteries required it is simple to install, swiftly providing a true ‘fit and forget’ option. For end users this results in a cost effective and highly efficient washroom upgrade solution, enabling compliance with current legislation.
For school facilities there is of course the consideration of long periods of downtime, during bank holidays and outside of term time. In these instances the valve can be programmed with a hygieneflush in order to prevent stagnation in the pipes and to keep drains fresh and odour-free.
“The introduction of a Cistermiser valve proves washroom refurbishment need not be too involved or cost-prohibitive,” continues David Meacock, “By installing a valve at the entry pipe to a urinal cistern, facilities managers and building owners can update their facilities inline with current Water Regulations. The measure requires little maintenance but will deliver control, water savings, reduced costs and reassurance for many years.”
