6.12 Hospital Fixtures

Hospitals require the installation of specialty services from the plumbing industry to ensure that sanitation and patient care is in a germ-free environment.

Architects design patient care rooms with Barrier Free Code Applications, surgeons scrub areas, clinical workstations, pathology rooms, labs, and doctor patient consulting rooms. All of the areas mentioned above require services and specialized fixtures from the plumbing industry such as potable water, tempered water, drainage systems, medical gas distribution systems, distilled water systems and sterilizers are just a few examples of the extent and specialization of what our industry entails. In this section we will be looking at the different types of hospital fixtures and their functions.

Fixtures

Similar to commercial plumbing installation, manufactures shop drawings are required for all hospital fixtures before laying out of a specific area of the facility. Most commercial, hospital fixtures or specialized equipment have very little code references, therefore shop drawings are essential for gathering information.

Surgeons Scrub Sinks

Surgeons Scrub Sinks are used where hand scrubbing an sterile where environments are a must. Preparation for an operation requires the surgeon to sterilize his hands. These types of sinks are hands free and are operated by a knee or a foot pedal which opens the valves for scrubbing and releases tempered water.

Most commercial, hospital fixtures or specialized equipment have very little code references, therefore shop drawings are essential for gathering information.

Electronic Faucets

Electronic hands-free faucets are becoming more popular for scrub sinks today. Previous installations of knee and foot operated faucets are still commonly used but are becoming obsolete as electronic hands free in many professional opinions are considered much more hygienic as no body contact is required for operating these faucets.

Advantages

• Infrared sensor is not affected by varying color tones or bright lights
• Electric solenoid valve regulates water flow smooth starts and stops
• Standard 110V plug outlet is required

Plaster Work Sinks

Plaster work sinks are installed in hospital facilities and are instrumental in the preparation of cast making. These sinks are installed with a solids interceptor to prevent any plaster residue from entering the sanitary system. Usually, the fixture outlet is 1 1\2’’ to the interceptor and from the interceptor to the sanitary system will be 2’’.

Clinical Work Sinks

Clinical work sinks perform multiple functions. These types of sinks have an internal trap similar to that of a water closet. Clinical sinks are available in floor mounted, and wall hung (carrier needed) versions, they may have wall mounted faucets with brackets supports, a special flush valve (longer outlet pipe) or foot pedal. Soiled linen can be rinsed in the bowl and the flushing action removes any waste material to the sanitary system. The foot pedal operates the bed pan washer.

Clinical work sink accessories

When ordering these types of fixtures, the chrome finish is ordered as a separate item from the fixture itself. Chrome finish accessories include wall mounted taps, flush valve for bed pan washer and foot pedals if required.

Water closets in patient care rooms can be equipped with different styles and models of bed pan washers attached to the flush valve assembly. Tailpieces for these types of flush valves are a special-order item.

ANSI Standards For Safety Showers

The following specifications are taken from the ANSI Z358.1-1998 standard.

1. Heads
   1. Positioned no less than 82″ from floor.
   2. Spray pattern will have a minimum diameter of 20″ at 60″ above the floor.
   3. Flow Rate=20 gallons per minute (GPM) at a velocity low enough to be non-injurious to the user.
   4. Center of spray pattern shall be located at least 16″ from any obstruction.
2. Valves
   1. “Off” to “On” in 1 second or less.
   2. Stay-open valve (no use of hands).
   3. Valve remains on until the user shuts it off.
3. Installation
   1. Not further than 10 seconds travel from the hazard. Must be on same level as the hazard and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate use of the equipment.
   2. Shower location shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign.
4. Maintenance and Training
   1. Showers will be activated weekly to verify correct operation.
   2. All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment.

ANSI Standards For Eye Washes

1. Heads
   1. Must be protected from airborne contaminants.
   2. Positioned 6″ from wall or nearest obstruction.
   3.  0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes
2. Valves
   1. Activate in 1 second or less.
   2. Stay-open valve (leaving hands free).
3. Installation
   1. 10 seconds from the hazard. Must be on same level as the hazard and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that inhibit the immediate use of the equipment.
   2. The location of the eye wash unit shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign.

ANSI Standards For Eye/Face Wash

1. Heads
   1. Positioned 33″–45″ from floor.
   2. 6″ from wall or nearest obstruction.
   3. Large heads to cover both eyes and face or regular size eye wash heads plus a face spray ring.
   4. 3 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes.
2. Valve
   1. Same as eye wash.
3. Installation
   1. Same as eye wash.

Image Credits

1. Surgeon’s wall mounted scrub sink. Credit: American Standard Brand. https://www.americanstandard-us.com/Commercial-Service-Sink/Surgeons-Wall-Mounted-Scrub-Sink/WHITE-9047044020
2. Skytron. (n.d.). https://www.skytron.com/products/sterile-processing/
3. American Standard Brand. (n.d.). https://www.americanstandard.ca/bathroom/commercial?gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwJPDwOTmgAMVxOzjBx3VYwX7EAAYASAAEgJp5fD_BwE
4. Clinic service sink. Credit: Faucetdepot. (n.d.). American Standard Clinic Service Sink Wall-Mount. https://www.faucetdepot.com/prod/American-Standard-9512.999.020-Clinic-Service-Sink-Wall-Mount—White-131487.aspClinic floor mounted service sink.
5. American Standard Brand (n.d.). Service Sink. https://www.americanstandard.ca/Commercial-Service-Sink/Terrazzo-Pedestal-Base-for-Clinic-Service-Sink-Black-on-White-Finish/BLACK-ON-WHITE-710098201081
6.  American Standard Brand (n.d.). Top Brace Wall-Mount Service Sink Faucet with 6-Inch Vacuum Breaker Spout. https://www.americanstandard-us.com/Mechanical-Commercial-Fittings/Top-Brace-Wall-Mount-Service-Sink-Faucet-with-6-Inch-Vacuum-Breaker-Spout/CHROME-8344012002Floor-mounted double pedal valve.
7. American Standard Brand (n.d.). Floor-mounted double pedal valve. https://www.americanstandard-us.com/
8. American Standard Brand (n.d.). Manual Piston Flush Valve. https://www.americanstandard-us.com/Manual-Flush-Valves-Sanitary-Systems/Ultima-Manual-Flush-Valve-With-Bedpan-Washer-Assembly-Offset-Tube-128-gpf-48-Lpf/CHROME-6047821002Bedpan cleanser assembly with by-pass valve in polished chrome.
9. American Standard. (n.d.). Institutional. https://www.americanstandard-us.com/Mechanical-Commercial-Fittings/Bedpan-Cleanser-Assembly-with-Vacuum-Breaker/CHROME-7880191002
10. AXION MSR combination shower and eye/face wash. Haws (n.d.).AXION MSR eye/face wash. https://www.hawsco.com/products/8309wc-axion-msr-combination-shower-and-eye-face-wash/Emergency eyewash stations & requirements.
11. Conney Safety. (n.d.). Eye Wash Station. https://www.conney.com/style/guardian-equipment-eye-wash-stationStay-open valve and actuator ring.
12. Conney Safety. (n.d.). Eye Wash Station. https://www.conney.com/style/guardian-equipment-eye-wash-station