Save water, and help maintain user and drinking water hygiene with contactless sensor fittings from SCHELL

Technical properties of contactless fittings from SCHELL

Many of SCHELL’s high-quality fittings are equipped with an infrared sensor, which therefore allows them to start the flow of water without physical contact. This contactless control means that SCHELL sensor fittings offer a maximum level of hygiene for users, since contact infections are avoided while operating the fitting. In addition, all of the fittings are also designed to be particularly easy to clean. Their top-quality chrome finish is appealingly attractive and the materials in the fitting parts having contact with water comply in full with drinking water legislation.

Many wash basin taps also feature optional, automated stagnation flushes that can help with maintaining drinking water quality. These fittings can trigger stagnation flushes independently every 24 hours or 24 hours after the last usage. The sensor naturally requires a power source – the minimal energy need to operate contactless fittings is supplied either from integrated batteries or by a mains power cable (320 V). Any technician looking to install these fittings needn’t worry about the electronic components they use. SCHELL takes care to ensure that installation is as straightforward as possible – by using clear labelling and anti-rotation mechanisms on products, for example.

With contactless fittings from SCHELL, the water flow time can be set so that only a previously defined, adequate quantity of water is then used to flush a WC or to wet the hands at the wash basin. Limiting the detection range also ensures that the tap sensor triggers the flow of water only when it is actually required and not, for example, when already wet hands are being soaped up in the vicinity of the basin. Thanks to the intelligent setting of flow times and detection ranges, sensor fittings offer advantages in relation to water consumption. This achieves water savings of up to 70 percent compared with a conventional single-lever fitting. As one example, the MODUS E contactless wash basin tap features an individually configurable sensor range of about 2 to 17 cm. As with many other sensor fittings from SCHELL, the tap is also equipped with innovative technology that offers anti-scalding protection.

Benefits of contactless fittings: User hygiene

Contactless fittings let users keep their hands away from potentially dirty surfaces and therefore minimise the risk of infection. After all, figures from the WHO show that up to 80 percent of germs are spread by hands touching contaminated surfaces. All sensor fittings from SCHELL can be triggered without any manual contact with the fitting and are therefore especially hygienic. This is especially beneficial in public, semi-public and commercial sanitary facilities that are used by a large number of people, and helps to maintain user hygiene at a high level. The option for contactless operation is not only a topic of interest during the influenza season but is increasingly being expected as standard by patrons of public buildings.

Benefits of contactless fittings: Drinking water hygiene

Electronic SCHELL sensor fittings can execute stagnation flushes automatically and therefore help to maintain drinking water hygiene. Many of the contactless fittings from the SCHELL portfolio can also be networked with the SCHELL SWS Water Management System, and therefore also execute centrally controlled, automated stagnation flushes. Once fittings are networked with SCHELL SWS, they can be placed into groups, to use automated, simultaneous stagnation flushes for the purpose of simulating the specified normal operation of the building. A major advantage of this approach is that, even following prolonged interruptions in use or even the closure of a building, recommissioning is not required, because the simulation means no actual ‘interruption’ of specified normal operation has occurred. In this way, sensor fittings can help to prevent the excessive spread of Legionella in the pipe system.

Use in (semi-)public and commercial applications

The following section introduces some example uses for contactless fittings in (semi-)public and public applications. SCHELL sensor fittings are suitable for many different kinds of budgets and a broad spectrum of applications.

Contactless fittings – example: The entry-level MODUS series

A low-cost model with a well thought-out design is offered by the MODUS E sensor fitting from SCHELL’s MODUS series. This contactless fitting has been designed to be vandal-proof and features a security device to protect against the deliberate blocking of the IR sensor – such as with chewing gum. The fitting also offers the option of automated stagnation flushes, so as to provide support for maintaining the quality of drinking water. MODUS E fulfils a very wide range of requirements and is the low-price alternative among the SCHELL sensor fittings. Thanks to this fitting, even carefully costed development projects can still enjoy the benefits of contactless fittings.

Contactless fittings – example: VITUS in healthcare facilities

Sensor fittings from SCHELL also help support drinking water hygiene in sanitary facilities that are utilised by vulnerable groups of users – such as in nursing facilities, nursery schools, clinics and hospitals. In hospital environments, many tapping points still use ‘hospital elbow taps’ with a long lever. In these environments, medical professionals can benefit from sensor fittings that are triggered without contact. One example is the VITUS VW-E-T exposed wash basin tap, which features infrared sensor control and is also suitable for networking with the SCHELL SWS Water Management System. One best-practice example for the use of SCHELL fittings in a hospital environment is Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, whose theatre facilities on Benjamin Franklin Campus were renovated to meet stringent hygiene standards. In this case, the building operators also decided to implement the SCHELL SWS Water Management System, so as to provide support for maintaining drinking water hygiene.

Sensor fittings from SCHELL are durable and well-designed

All SCHELL sensor fittings are specifically designed to be truly durable. The fittings consist of a high-quality brass body and are constructed to ensure that they can hold up to constant use in public sanitary facilities. And if repairs should become necessary, SCHELL can always offer the right spare part, whatever the product. In most cases, this avoids replacing the entire fitting, which saves time and materials.

Sensor fittings from SCHELL help to achieve building certification

SCHELL’s smart development of contactless fittings includes their highly functional, multiple award-winning product design. As we know from experience, a more appealing design is less likely to be targeted by vandalism. The long-lasting, economical SCHELL sensor fittings can also make a significant contribution to achieving sustainable building certification according to BREEAM or LEED. Within the plumbing sector, SCHELL has taken a leading role as one of the first companies to have its products comprehensively tested with the aim of supporting developers looking to achieve building certification.