Cistermiser’s Direct Flush Discreet (DFD) control valve for mains-fed urinals was the winner of the Water Efficient Innovation Award category at the BMA Sustainability Awards, held on October 10 2023.
It is the second consecutive year that Cistermiser, a leading manufacturer of water and energy saving solutions, has won a BMA water efficiency award, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to minimising water wastage in commercial and public sector washrooms.
While urinals generally use less water than toilets, their water consumption remains significant – accounting for 20 per cent of water use in an average office-based business. Conventional, uncontrolled urinals are flushed intermittently regardless of use, with flushing cycles set to match estimated usage patterns. These solutions are still extremely common in commercial and public sector washrooms – and are likely to be wasting hundreds of litres of water a day.
Urinals therefore offer the potential for significant water efficiency gains – especially if frequent, unnecessary flushing can be eradicated. Cistermiser’s DFD is a water efficient, sensor-controlled flushing valve designed for urinals that flush directly from the mains cold water supply, rather than a cistern. DFD automatically flushes an individual urinal only after it has been used, ensuring that flushing is kept to a minimum, while providing the highest standards of hygiene (and during periods of non-use, a hygiene flush is activated).
DFD can reduce water wastage by up to 84 per cent, as recently demonstrated through a controlled trial commissioned by a leading hotel chain. Each valve can save approximately 142,080 litres of water a year (the equivalent of 89,000 cups of tea)* by activating a flush only when necessary.
DFD is also a cost-effective solution, with payback typically achieved in just eight months. In addition, the non-touch sensor control offers ease of use and further hygiene benefits. A discreet, unobtrusive infrared sensor is installed directly above each urinal bowl – negating the need for users to touch any flush controls, minimising the risk of cross-contamination.
Richard Braid, Cistermiser’s managing director, said: “We are ecstatic and humbled to have been awarded a water efficiency award for a second consecutive year by the BMA. To be able to clearly demonstrate the true, immediate benefits of our water saving solutions is key to supporting our clients’ ESG goals.
“The BMA Sustainability Awards are highly respected, and this award provides unwavering recognition to Cistermiser for remaining committed to designing, developing and manufacturing innovative washroom solutions that will support and encourage owners and managers of commercial and public sector buildings to reduce their water consumption. With each installation of the Cistermiser DFD, we are helping organisations to successfully reduce their water, energy, and carbon emissions each and every day.”
Launched in 2021, the BMA Sustainability Awards reflect the dedication and passion the bathroom industry shows in promoting environmental stewardship. BMA chief executive Tom Reynolds commented: “We received a powerful award entry from Cistermiser, which our independent judges felt showed demonstrably high water savings. The company continues to rise to the water scarcity challenges facing our planet through immense effort and innovation.”
Cistermiser’s DFD valve is completely concealed, being mounted on pipework behind a panel or wall. DFD is suitable for new or retrofit applications where rear access can be gained to the wall cavity for servicing and inspection and can be powered by either mains electricity or batteries.
For further information, please visit www.cistermiser.co.uk.
#Guest blog provided by Cistermiser