Smart technology for optimal drinking water hygiene in healthcare facilities

Hygiene requirements in hospitals, healthcare facilities or doctors' offices are high. And that, of course, also applies to drinking water hygiene. Infectious germs such as Legionella and other bacteria can cause serious illnesses in patients. They are often transmitted through the tap water system. Electronic, sanitary systems and non-contact operation of faucets and flushing systems guarantee not only good hygiene for users, but also optimal water quality. 

The academic hospital in Berlin, the Charité, uses the latest sanitary technology from Schell in its operating rooms: non-contact fixtures that, in combination with temperature controllers and the SWS water management system, support the maintenance of water quality. The new operating area is in the last and therefore critical part of the drinking water system, so a solution was needed that prevents stagnant water.

Charité is committed to reliable technology that prevents harmful spread of bacteria in sensitive areas. As part of the hygiene plan, the use of sanitary facilities, stagnation flushes and water temperature had to be able to be continuously recorded and assessed. In addition, stagnation flushes had to be performed automatically at fixed times and at critical temperatures. This is also done during fluctuations in the frequency of use to simulate normal use of the plant. Manual flushing would take far too much time and work.

The hospital was looking for a solution that not only guarantees optimal drinking water quality, but also fits the ecological goal of saving energy and water. The choice fell on products from Schell. The smart SWS water management system connects and controls the electronic taps. In this way, the system supports the maintenance of drinking water quality.  

The addition of Schell's online service, SMART.SWS, to the electronic water management system makes it possible to remotely control, maintain and monitor all connected faucets as well. The manager has a central overview of all faucets, which are controlled and optimized using SWS from any device with an Internet connection. Stagnation flushing and thermal disinfection can be configured online. Building managers can set up different user roles. For example, a facility manager can only access the data of his building. All system-relevant data are recorded continuously.

The SWS water management system and SMART.SWS provide optimal support for managers of large buildings. For smaller premises, Schell has another smart solution: a dental practice in Sterrebeek, Belgium, installed several electronic sink faucets from the CELIS family for more hygienic use of the drinking water system. Integrated into the fixture is an infrared sensor that makes the water flow as soon as hands are in the sensor range. When the hands have left the sensor area, the water flow automatically stops. So the faucet is no longer touched after washing hands. The sensor range is individually adjustable, as is the running time of the water.

In addition to user hygiene, contactless, electronic fittings from Schell also ensure optimum hygiene in the drinking water system. The fittings can be set so that a stagnation flush is automatically implemented and recorded up to 24 hours after the last use. The stagnation flush is a function that can be programmed into the electronics of the faucet itself. The Schell Single Control (SSC) Bluetooth module installed in the Belgian dental practice offers great ease of use in combination with the CELIS faucets.

The Bluetooth module can also be used as a tool for the configuration and monitoring of faucets. The connection between the power supply and the electronic fittings is made easily and quickly via a plug-in connection. All parameters can be set with the SSC app for iOS or Android. When using the mobile app, the parameters can be easily copied to other faucets of the same type. This is very practical.