Designing public restrooms in high-traffic spaces is a challenge that calls for solutions that are both smart and durable. Infrastructure such as airports, train stations, or large shopping centers experience a constant flow of people, and every detail matters: from material selection to ease of cleaning, all the way to innovative hygiene technologies. In this context, touchless technology plays a fundamental role, improving user experience, reducing operating costs, cutting down on maintenance, and ensuring cleaner and safer spaces. Here’s how to design public restrooms that stand the test of time and heavy use, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
The choice of materials is crucial for durability in high-traffic public spaces. Chrome-plated brass is often preferred for taps due to its resistance to corrosion and wear, maintaining its aesthetic and functional properties over time. This material not only withstands intensive use but is also easy to clean, a vital feature for public environments where hygiene is a top priority.
Similarly, stainless steel is a key material due to its exceptional resistance to mechanical damage and corrosion. A significant example is Terminal 4 of Changi Airport, which implemented automated stainless steel taps. This material not only improved hygiene but also drastically reduced maintenance costs thanks to its robustness and ease of cleaning. Besides automated taps, the terminal introduced technological solutions in other structures, such as the suspended pedestrian bridge, where a duplex stainless steel tension system ensures durability with minimal need for intervention.
Combining materials like chrome-plated brass and stainless steel allows for the creation of highly resilient public spaces, reducing the frequency of replacements. This functional design approach meets users’ hygiene needs, enhancing the perceived quality and cleanliness of facilities.
Touchless technology is revolutionizing the management of public restrooms, especially in high-traffic environments such as airports and train stations. In addition to improving hygiene by reducing contact points, these systems help to reduce maintenance costs. Since taps are not touched, mechanical wear is significantly reduced, thus decreasing the frequency of maintenance interventions. Additionally, surfaces remain cleaner, reducing the buildup of dirt and bacteria.
These advantages make touchless taps ideal for high-traffic facilities, where maintaining a hygienic environment and reducing operational costs are top priorities. Investing in this technology represents a long-term sustainable choice for public building managers.
All-in-one solutions are among the most interesting innovations for hand washing in public environments. Systems like Idral’s 4All consoles combine tap, soap dispenser, and air hand dryer in a single touchless unit, improving overall efficiency. These systems not only optimize water usage and reduce energy costs but also ensure faster, easier cleaning, preventing water from spreading onto the floor.
Moreover, integrating these technologies reduces the risk of slips and falls caused by water, enhancing user safety.
Choosing quality products, like Idral’s automatic stainless steel taps, enables long-term savings due to increased durability compared to traditional taps, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
In addition to using durable materials and reliable technology, it’s essential to protect public restrooms from vandalism, which can lead to costly damage and service interruptions. Anti-vandalism systems, such as those offered by Idral, use robust materials like stainless steel and brass, with concealed or wall-mounted controls. These solutions reduce the likelihood of tampering and improve the overall durability of installations.
The adoption of durable materials and innovative technologies, such as stainless steel and touchless taps, is essential for designing public restrooms that are long-lasting, efficient, and easy to maintain. Examples like Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 demonstrate how an integrated approach combining quality materials and advanced technologies can radically transform public space management, enhancing user experience and reducing operational costs. If you are looking to renovate or design high-traffic public restrooms, contact us to discover the solutions best suited to your needs.
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Idral S.p.a. a socio unico – Via Isei 8/10 – 28010 Gargallo (NO) Italia
Cap. Soc. € 660.000 i.v. | C.F. e Iscr. reg. imp. NO 00124610031 | REA n° 104665 | C.C.I.A.A. Novara | P.IVA 00124610031
