Sanitary Fixtures Research Articles

CIRCULARITY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Historic buildings represent an ensemble of related to architecture, materials and technology of the era in which they were built and contribute to the knowledge of contemporary ones. Materials resulting from the demolition of old buildings, such as: bricks, wood and vegetal materials, concrete, gravel, stone and sand, masonry and rubble, metals, plastic, glass, drywall, cardboard and paper, sanitary fixtures, fibers (asbestos, glass, steel, natural), can get a new life, becoming part of a new building, streets, facades or even a city, in the context of circular architecture and the Smart City concept. The case of the specimens based on polyurethane waste will be discussed in this paper, as partial substitutes in the composition of new building structures. Also, methods for characterization and testing of these new compositions will be discussed and evaluated.

Development of an experimental technique to determine the barrier performance of medical gloves when stretched.

Protective clothing standards, such as test methods published by ASTM International, play an integral role in ensuring the performance of personal protective equipment. The standard tests are not without limitations and are periodically reviewed and often updated. Some tests may not be reflective of in-use conditions. A new test cell was designed using sanitary fixtures to evaluate the effect of glove stretch on barrier performance using fluorescein solution as the challenge agent for enhanced visualization and fluorometer detection. Domed-shaped and flat screens were developed to permit and limit glove stretch within the test cell. The barrier performance of glove swatches was evaluated for both stretched and unstretched states. Latex, nitrile, and vinyl glove models of various thicknesses were evaluated. The tests were conducted following pressure and time parameters specified in ASTM F903, ASTM F1670, and ASTM F1671. Fluorescein solution movement, which may occur through penetration, was measured using a fluorometer. Glove stretch caused a reduction in glove thickness ranging from 16% to 40%. Overall, 21 sample failures were found (16.7%; n = 126) regardless of test condition. Nitrile gloves provided better barrier efficacy with the lowest failure rates (2.38%; 1 failure out of 42) compared to latex (19.4%; 7 failures out of 36) and vinyl gloves (27.1%; 13 failures out of 48). Differences in failure rates between stretched and unstretched gloves were insignificant; however, the latex material showed a 2.5 times increase in failures when stretched compared to unstretched. The new test apparatus was able to differentiate between the barrier performance of different glove materials. The use of a domed screen allowed the gloves to stretch, a condition that better represents the state of gloves when in use. Analysis of samples collected from the glove surface opposite to the exposure may provide a way to assess chemical permeation in addition to penetration.

Students, Sanitary Facilities and Regulations: An Overview of Public Schools in Malaysia

Sanitary facilities in public schools should provide a safe and secure environment for students to enter and utilise any sanitary fixtures. The reason for this is that public coeducational schools encompass a diverse range of students in terms of gender, age, behaviour, culture, religion, ethnicity, and belief. The government has implemented enhancements to design and arrangement of sanitary facilities and fixtures in order to minimise the impact on school buildings. However, inadequate information from students has resulted in less provision of sanitary fixtures in sanitary facilities. This research focuses on an overview of sanitary facilities or also known as toilets based on perceptions from students in selected public coeducational schools. Design and arrangement of existing gender-specific toilets are inappropriate for females due to the fact that females spend twice as much time in sanitary facilities as males. The overview includes relevant information of students’ perceptions, and sanitary facilities and fixtures in public coeducational schools.

Examining Carbon Emissions in Building Materials: A Case Study of Government Buildings in Pokhara Metropolitan City

Numerous studies placed particular emphasis on reducing carbon emissions from operations, often ignoring the importance of embodied carbon emissions. To evaluate the embodied carbon emissions associated with government buildings in Pokhara Metropolitan City, a systematic process-based approach was used to estimate the total embodied carbon over the lifetime of these structures. The research findings reveal that the cumulative embodied carbon emissions stemming from these buildings contributed a total of1281.56 metric tons (Mt) and 12504540.5 MJ of embodied energy. Furthermore, the study explored the potential for reducing these emissions by adopting alternative construction materials. In particular, the inclusion of AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks, hollow cement concrete blocks, and stabilized soil blocks (8% cement)in the same building demonstrated reductions in total emissions by 5.56%, 4.38%, and 5.16%, respectively. It is crucial to acknowledge that this study primarily focuses on the construction stage of the building and exclusively considers civil construction materials. It did not encompass elements such as sanitary and electrical fixtures or other stages in the building's lifecycle, including operation and maintenance and eventual demolition. Consequently, it is recommended that future research endeavors undertake a more comprehensive analysis, encompassing electrical and sanitary fixtures, as well as all phases of a building's lifecycle, to gain a more holistic understanding of embodied carbon emissions in government buildings

Influence of the vent pipe diameter on the discharge capacity of a circuit vent building drainage system

Experiments on different vent pipe diameters (nominal diameters of 100, 75 and 50 mm; DN100, DN75 and DN50, respectively) in a full-scale circuit vent building drainage system were conducted in a 60 -m high structure, and the wastewater discharge capacities as a function of vent pipe diameter were measured. Critical pipe pressures, water seal losses of sanitary fixtures and air flow rates were measured. The ultimate pressure values in pipes on lower floors were larger than those in pipes on higher floors using DN100 and DN75, which was opposite to the results with DN50. A positive correlation between the ultimate pressure values and floor heights, as well as between ultimate pressure values and water seal losses, was found for DN100 and DN75. The maximum discharge flow of the three systems using DN100, DN75 and DN50 vent pipes was 17.0 L/s, 14.0 L/s and 7.5 L/s, respectively. Nevertheless, in China, the maximum wastewater discharge capacity in a circuit vent system adopting a DN100 vent pipe connected to a DN100 drainage stack in tall residential buildings is 11.5 L/s according to the Code for Design of Building Water Supply and Drainage. Thus, the vent pipe diameter DN75 can fully meet the design requirements of drainage systems for high rise buildings in China. The engineering cost associated with material expenses for building drainage systems can be minimised by optimising the size of vent pipe based on required capacity rather than using a single size universally. Practical application: The engineering cost associated with material expenses for building drainage systems can be minimised by optimising the size of vent pipe based on required capacity rather than using a single size universally.

ビジネスホテル客室における給水・給湯負荷に関する研究 （その1）宿泊者属性および器具仕様による給水・給湯量の解析

ビジネスホテル客室における給水・給湯負荷に関する研究 （その1）宿泊者属性および器具仕様による給水・給湯量の解析

衛生器具のトラップにおける流れ性状に関する研究 : 第2報-複数個の器具にSトラップを取り付けた場合

衛生器具のトラップにおける流れ性状に関する研究 : 第2報-複数個の器具にSトラップを取り付けた場合

SI住宅排水横枝管システムの性能評価と設計方法に関する研究 : 第5報-汚水系統での器具平均排水流量の低下値の算定手法と搬送能力の検討

SI住宅排水横枝管システムの性能評価と設計方法に関する研究 : 第5報-汚水系統での器具平均排水流量の低下値の算定手法と搬送能力の検討

A-20 住居以外の衛生器具の利用及び評価に関するアンケート調査 : 衛生器具の設置個数の決定に関する検討(その1)

A-20 住居以外の衛生器具の利用及び評価に関するアンケート調査 : 衛生器具の設置個数の決定に関する検討(その1)

Verification of Calculation Method Using Monte Carlo Method for Water Supply Demands of Office Building

In Japan, there are four methods of calculating water supply demands for office buildings based on SHASE-S 206 and two methods based on the design standard of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). However, these methods were found to produce overestimated values when applied to recent sanitary fixtures with advanced water saving features. To cope with this problem, Murakawa’s Simulation for Water Consumption (MSWC), which utilizes the Monte Carlo method to calculate water usage dynamically has been developed. In this study, we evaluated the validity of MSWC on water consumption of an office building. Actual water consumption data were collected from a six story office building. Water consumption estimates calculated by the six conventional methods and MSWC were compared with the actual measurement values. Though the calculations based on the conventional methods significantly deviated from the actual measurement values, those made by MSWC closely resembled them.

Hygiene-Award

The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether workers in the sanitary fixtures industry are a category at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and in particular, whether chronic noise exposure may play a role in cardiovascular effects in exposed workers. Seventy-five employees engaged in sanitation fixtures production and a control group of sixty-four office workers, who were not exposed to agents that could damage the cardiovascular system, participated in our study.The selected workers completed a clinical-anamnestic questionnaire, and underwent a medical examination, blood pressure test, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and audiometry. Measurements of environmental noise, dust, and lead were also carried out. The exposed workers, in comparison to the control group, showed a higher frequency of hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), as well as electrocardiographic abnormalities (p < 0.05). There was also a higher frequency of hypertension and electrocardiographic abnormalities among subjects with audiometric deficit compared to normoacoustic subjects (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05).from our study suggest that work activity in the sanitary fixtures industry can have an influence on the cardiovascular system, and noise can be the main cause of damage for the cardiovascular system in exposed workers, as cardiovascular damage seems to be linked to hearing loss.

Noise and cardiovascular effects in workers of the sanitary fixtures industry.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether workers in the sanitary fixtures industry are a category at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and in particular, whether chronic noise exposure may play a role in cardiovascular effects in exposed workers. Seventy-five employees engaged in sanitation fixtures production and a control group of sixty-four office workers, who were not exposed to agents that could damage the cardiovascular system, participated in our study. The selected workers completed a clinical-anamnestic questionnaire, and underwent a medical examination, blood pressure test, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and audiometry. Measurements of environmental noise, dust, and lead were also carried out. The exposed workers, in comparison to the control group, showed a higher frequency of hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05, p<0.05), as well as electrocardiographic abnormalities (p<0.05). There was also a higher frequency of hypertension and electrocardiographic abnormalities among subjects with audiometric deficit compared to normoacoustic subjects (p<0.05 and p<0.05). from our study suggest that work activity in the sanitary fixtures industry can have an influence on the cardiovascular system, and noise can be the main cause of damage for the cardiovascular system in exposed workers, as cardiovascular damage seems to be linked to hearing loss.

Questionnaire and Observation Study on the Usage Patterns of Sanitary Fixtures in the Toilet of High School Building

In designing a toilet, the minimum number of sanitary fixtures is determined by the purpose and level of building, the number of using people, and etc. Currently, specific regulations for the number of sanitary fixtures (the number of water closets, urinals) in the toilets are not available but the law regulates only the occupied area of the water closets and urinals according to the size of toilets. An effective design cannot be achieved without clear standards in designing the number of sanitary fixtures. Thus, the standards for the number of sanitary fixtures should be established to design the toilets. This study used the questionnaire and observation study for using the male and female toilets in the high school building to analyze the average number of toilet usage, the time of usage, the time zone of excessive usage, and etc. And, furthermore, it provided the basic data to determine the number of sanitary fixtures(number of water closets, urinals).

A Study on the Usage Pattern of Sanitary Fixtures in the Toilet of Culture &amp; Gathering Facilities

A Study on the Usage Pattern of Sanitary Fixtures in the Toilet of Culture &amp; Gathering Facilities

위생기구(변기) 수 분석을 통한 지하철역의 임시 대피인원 수용 능력 산정

With advantages of open spaces and existing HVAC facilities, subway station, if unexpected disastrous situation happens on the ground, can be used as a temporary safe place for evacuees. The main objective of this study is to establish a guideline on estimating evacuation capacity of the subway station and evaluating levels of service of evacuation for officials to control the situation. This guideline includes available spaces of the station, capacity of sanitary fixtures, and total number of passengers, etc. In this paper, we first analyzed the number of passengers of SMRT (Line 5~Line 8) during AM peak hour and then evaluated the number of passengers using toilets at that time. In addition, we calculated the seating capacity of subway stations on SMRT using the difference between the actual number of toilets and the estimated number of ones from the occupancy time of each toilet.

Cost-Effective Approaches to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Public Transportation in Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles County, California, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) commissioned a study of strategic options for the agency to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study compared a comprehensive range of strategies on potential GHG reductions and cost-effectiveness, in dollars per ton of GHG emissions reduced. Sixteen strategies were analyzed in four categories: promotion of alternative travel modes, transit service, vehicle technology, and facility energy use. Strategies with the greatest potential for GHG emission reductions (regardless of cost) included transit-oriented development, vanpool subsidy, onboard railcar energy storage, and ridesharing and transit programs for employers. The first three would save or generate money for Metro. Ridesharing and transit programs have the potential for net revenue generation, but the results were uncertain. Four more strategies would reduce smaller amounts of emissions while also saving money for the agency: recycled water for bus washing, low-water sanitary fixtures, Red Line tunnel lighting retrofits, and facility lighting efficiency. Understanding opportunities for GHG reductions requires expertise in transit operations, vehicles, facilities, and planning. Cost-effectiveness and total reduction potential can be supporting criteria in making funding decisions. The largest GHG reduction opportunities for Metro are typically those that reduce vehicle miles traveled, whereas many of the most cost-effective strategies address GHG emissions from facility energy use. Cost-effectiveness of a strategy to Metro can depend greatly on receipt of external funding, including federal funds or utility rebates. In some cases, the range of cost-effectiveness for a strategy is so great that it is not useful to inform decision making without some further definition.

Hospitalised hot tap water scald patients following the introduction of regulations in NSW, Australia: Who have we missed?

Scalds from hot tap water are serious injuries that are potentially preventable by restricting the temperature of hot tap water delivery. In July 1999, regulations were introduced in NSW to require that all new hot water installations deliver water at temperatures not exceeding 50 °C to sanitary fixtures. This study investigates trends in hot tap water scald injury hospitalisations following the introduction of these regulations. Hot tap water scald cases for 1999–2007 were identified from hospitalisation data for all public and private hospitals in NSW. To investigate hot tap water scald hospitalisations over time, negative binomial regression analysis was performed. There were 845 hospitalisations for hot tap water scalds in NSW over the period of the study. Hospital admission rates for hot tap water scalds decreased by an estimated 6% (3.2–8.5, 95%CI) per year since the introduction of regulations. While those most at risk were infants, toddlers and the elderly, almost a third of hospitalisations were for adults (25–64 years). The majority of hot tap water scalds were sustained at home and a further 4% occurred in a residential institute or school. The majority of scalds were severe, and a quarter required admission for longer than a week. The introduction of regulations in NSW appears to have had a positive impact on the rates of hospitalisations for hot tap water scalds; however, scalds continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This highlights the need for a review of the scope and implementation of the existing regulations and ongoing education of the general public to the dangers of hot tap water.

VERIFICATION OF COMBINED DRAINAGE SYSTEM USED IN THE INFILL OF SI HOUSE

This report presents an experimental study with the aim of developing a horizontal fixture drainage branch system to facilitate liberal drainage planning for apartment housing while intending to verify system performance and discuss design techniques. Partly, the report verifies the performance of the combined drainage system, which is applied to the infill of long-lasting SI houses, and discusses the system design. To be more specific, first, the relation between carrying performance decline in the sewage system and the characteristics of drainage from sanitary fixtures, i.e. the biggest cause of drainage problems, was examined through experiments in the laboratory. Next, the abovementioned system was used on the actual super high-rise apartment building to carry out item-to-item system performance evaluation, using both simple and detailed methods which were explained in the previous report. The system design was also discussed.

Cecsa

The CECSA case describes the efforts of a Central American manufacturer of sanitary fixtures such as toilets and washbasins to improve quality and service through the application of just-in-time and total quality control (JIT/TQC) concepts. The company had been founded as part of a national policy of import substitution during the early years of the Central American common market, and its products, protected by high tariff barriers, dominated the regional market. However, its sales were affected seriously by the economic and political crises of the 1980s, forcing the company to search for markets outside the region. The case is set in 1987, at the height of the global conflicts that were being played out in Central America and at a time when opportunities for CECSA were opening in new export markets. With encouragement from its partner, an international ceramics corporation, CECSA embarked upon a plan to export to the United States. To meet the demanding quality specifications of the U.S. market, the company introduced the JIT/TQC approach. The implementation of this approach, with its emphasis on quality rather than quantity, required changes in the company culture and in traditional working habits that were difficult to make. The case demonstrates how continuous attention to quality throughout the entire value chain, including requirements made of suppliers, can pay off. CECSA was successful in entering the U.S. market. As new export projects materialized and pressure to meet deadlines mounted, however, many aspects that had been put in place to support the change process, such as the quality Involvement Groups, were abandoned. Other required changes, such as a new incentive system, were not introduced in a timely manner. As a consequence, momentum was lost. As the case closes, the general manager, Antonio Mendez, must decide how to regain the momentum. In a meeting with his key managers, a five-point implementation plan is produced, and the question that remains is whether this plan will be sufficient. The CECSA case illustrates how, in implementing the JIT/TQC approach, there is a continual danger of relapsing into old habits that paralyze the change effort. The loss of momentum, leading to work slowdowns, cannot be attributed to a single factor but to many. An important lesson is the importance of paying continuous attention to detail, to preserve the enthusiasm of personnel and managers alike.

From the Archives: "The House and All That Goes on in It": The Notebook of Frederica Shanks, 1905-6

N 1882 FEMINIST REFORMER Isabella Beecher Hooker urged women to master the plumbing systems in their own houses. Perhaps encouraged by the diverse interests of her half-sister, Catharine, whose combined interests in technology, feminism, and domestic architecture had inspired her own design of the American Woman's Home thirteen years earlier, Hooker saw the relationship between feminism and plumbing quite clearly. It was her own practice, she admitted, to inspect the work of a plumber until she understood every point of it.1 The Beecher sisters were not alone in associating feminist ideals with sanitary fixtures. To illustrate her notion of women's place in sanitary reform, Harriette Plunkett, author of Women, Plumbers, and Doctors; or, Household Sanitation, in-