As the world emerges post-COVID, it is clear we need to adapt to a new way of doing lots of things. Some of these changes won’t be forever, but it is clear that improvements to public sanitization need to be permanent. As businesses prioritize public safety, one company in the UAE who have been pioneers in Smart Washroom technology, highlight the importance of long-term, cost-effective solutions to this pressing need.

The humble washroom is an important part of everyday life, and somewhere that safety must be paramount. In response to the clear need to rethink hygiene standards in public places, VERTECO, the UAE’s leading water conservation and Smart Washroom technology experts, are revolutionizing the way washrooms of the future will look through the use of their latest technology. As we emerge from the pandemic and businesses are looking for safe and cost-effective solutions, the company can offer two major benefits through implementation of its systems: improving hygiene and increasing operational efficiencies.

The UAE is a leader in Smart technology, with the nation’s early implementation of all things Smart putting it at the forefront of the digital revolution of the last few years. Smart phones, Smart Apps and Smart buildings have all changed the way we do things and allowed businesses to improve efficiencies and save money. Now, with the introduction of Smart Washrooms to the UAE, companies will not only achieve long-term cost savings, they canre-think and revolutionize hygiene standards.

David King, Managing Director of VERTECO, the company behind the technology explains. “The need to make public spaces safe post-COVID is vital. Our Smart systems monitor the use of consumables, which reduces the need for unnecessary visits and checks by cleaning staff, therefore reducing the amount of surface contact that is needed. This technology offers people in busy places like malls and airports, safe access to the bathroom and a place where they can hygienically wash their hands. Through the implementation of sensors which monitor taps, flushes, soap and hand towel dispensers, Smart Washrooms prioritize safety by eliminating the risk of surface contact and therefore reducing the spread of the virus.”

The benefits of a Smart Washroom go beyond sensor driven technology. The system not only increases hygiene levels, if offers cost effectiveness by reducing operating expenses and running costs. Real-time technology can alert management to an issue before it becomes a problem, and it can allow facilities teams to develop more efficient maintenance schedules. Staff are alerted to decreasing levels of soap or toilet paper, allowing them to be refilled before they become empty, giving environmental efficiencies through reducing waste and improving customer experience. Temperature sensors on taps make sure the water is at the correct temperature and can alert staff if a tap hasn’t been used for a long time, to prevent water stagnating and infections such as Legionellafrom developing. Technology to monitor footfall can send an alert to cleaning staff to allow cleaning and sanitization schedules to be increased on demand, and real-time occupancy displays can be placed at the entrance to indicate the number of people using the facility, ensuring compliance with social distancing.

David King adds “During the pandemic, one of the most important lessons we have learnt is the need for good hand hygiene. Regular and thorough hand washing is one of the best ways we can act to stop the spread of the virus, so a clean, safe washroom is essential. Smart Washrooms ensure access to well-stocked and regularly sanitized facilities, which in turn increases user experience. Boosting customer satisfaction will, in the long run, make people feel safer when venturing out.”