A Fresh Look at Toilet Ventilation

Toilet Ventilation In A Post - Covid World

Toilets in hospitality venues will become a key area of focus as we begin the process of restarting the economy. Except for the entrance to buildings, it is the toilet that sees the highest concentration of traffic in dine-in venues. People move in and out of toilets, touching door handles, taps and flush handles. These hard surfaces provide a haven for the Coronavirus as it waits for its next host. The surfaces within the toilet become launch pads for the virus to be transported by hands into the eyes, nose or mouth of the next unsuspecting individual. This is another reason why the thorough washing of hands is so important when leaving the toilet.

Things That Can Fly

The preceding paragraph is concerning enough, but this is only part of the story. A second mode of transmission is even more dangerous. In the scenario described above, the individual has to touch an infected surface to become infected. Contactless taps, handles etc. would help in this regard. However, the aerosols produced when using the toilet and subsequent flushing can lead to dispersal of the virus into these enclosed spaces. This gives rise to possible direct ingestion of the virus through the eyes nose or mouth. The problem becomes even more challenging where the toilet comprises cubicles and have simultaneous multiple users. This scenario can result in the infection of many people at once.

It is therefore necessary for us to re-examine the way we do toileting in hospitality venues and public buildings. We may need to rethink the cubicle idea and use our design skills to create the fresh outdoors inside. Our design needs to include a clear ventilation strategy along with a reconfiguration of toilet cubicles into enclosures. 

Something To Concentrate The Mind

If we want to limit the risk of infection spread in toilets. It is necessary to induce adequate air movement within the enclosure to capture and transport virus-carrying aerosols to a safe exhaust point outside. Borrowing a tried and tested method from Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) can be useful in this regard. LEV is a ventilation strategy used in manufacturing and industrial processes to arrest harmful gases, fumes dust etc. The systems are designed so that the fumes do not enter the breathing zone of the operator. The infected person using the toilet is not the one at risk (He is carrying the virus). It is others using the toilet at the same time or those entering after who are at risk. Therefore, as part of the ventilation strategy it may be necessary to establish a clearance time for each enclosure and displaying it in plain sight. This would allow the ventilation system to remove contaminated air from the space, thus rendering the toilet a safer place to do business.  

We are now living in a new normal. Toilets that do not smell fresh could result in patrons leaving a venue never to return. Contact Sigma today to discuss a ventilation strategy to help make your reopening safe.