Vacuum toilets are not foreign to most; however, the installation and servicing practices that are associated with them probably are. Jeff Patchell explains that this is about to change.

If you have ever flown domestically or internationally you have more than likely come across a vacuum toilet or two. The primary use of this technology has been around for decades, used mostly in transport systems (planes, boats, trains) though in more recent times they are taking their place in land-based commercial projects and a growing number of expanding uses. However, at this time, few readers would be experienced in their installation or servicing.

That is expected to change in the next few years as plumbing consultants gain a better understanding and specify the technology more often.

Vacuum technology has a number of advantages but the original idea is quite simple.

Toilets are connected to a vacuum piping network via a normally closed vacuum interface valve, which acts as a point of separation between constant vacuum pressure in the waste piping network and atmospheric pressure at the toilet bowl. When the flush valve is activated, the controller opens the interface valve. The pressure differential causes air to enter the toilet bowl and pulls the waste through the fixture outlet before transporting it into the piping network, routing it to the vacuum centre. The controller also activates the flush water valve for rinse and re-fill of the bowl. The opening and closing of the interface valve is precisely controlled so that all waste is completely removed from the bowl. A flush is completed using less than a litre of water and any odours or bacteria are removed from the bowl.

One of the great advantages of these systems in public places is that they don’t clog up like usual toilets, with items caught in the waste pipe.

Almost anything stuffed down the toilet ,such as clothing or the like, is sucked back to the vacuum control centre and can be macerated or removed.

This aspect alone is significantly important for places like correctional facilities, shopping centres and hotels which often experience (human caused) blockages beyond belief!

Another significant benefit is being able to lift liquid waste from fixtures to the ceiling space of the same floor. This maximises tenant flexibility in placement of the fixtures whilst eliminating the disruption to a tenant on the level below.
These systems are now being integrated into container/trailer modules complete with integrated waste and water tanks. This makes them ideal for defence forces, construction sites and mining camps. In fact they are suitable in all locations where a lot of people are assembled.

There are several companies in Australia now providing vacuum systems and www.avac.com.au, www.hifraser.com.au and www.vacuumtoiletsaustralia.com.au are well equipped to provide the necessary engineering support.

With that being said, the challenge of introducing well-engineered solutions used the world over into our conservative plumbing/hydraulic sector does not come without its challenges.

There is a degree of resistance in specifying vacuum solutions in the market, due primarily to the conservative approach by many specifiers, who won’t accept them under the Plumbing Code of Australia’s alternative solution for installation approval track. And you can understand that, given the sizeable investment in such a building-wide hydraulic system.

Without a deemed to comply, AS3500 type code, it would be difficult for the industry to thrive in the long term.

The major problem which has been holding back the opportunity for the sector is that vacuum toilets don’t have a WaterMark, as there is no existing Code to test it against.

Fortunately for the suppliers and the plumbing industry in general, the Plumbing Product Industry Group (PPI) offered to assist with establishing a special interest group to begin drafting a code, which began in July 2011.

The PPI secretariat worked with the special interest group to lodge applications for WaterMark Technical Standards with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) earlier this year, while at the same time gaining acceptance from Standards Australia for the funding of a project to publish an installation code for Vacuum Drainage within Buildings.

A deemed to comply installation code will hopefully be published during 2014, with the subsequent recognition in the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) in 2015.

NEVER TOO SOON TO LEARN
Anyone new to this technology will appreciate the benefit of acquiring expert knowledge, in order to confidently specify and install such a system.

To assist with that goal, Avac Australia has recently developed and opened an impressive new training and demonstration centre.

Built within a newly renovated industrial building in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Avac has installed a complete vacuum system to walk both hydraulic consultants and contractors through the technology.

The Avac facility demonstrates the minimal cavity space required for the smaller than usual waste pipe network. In fact in this demonstration facility, they have used clear pipe to improve understanding. This demonstration facility has been the vision of Bob Buman, who back in 1996 recognised the market potential for vacuum systems. He founded Avac to service the growing market for land-based projects. Since that time, Avac systems have been installed in correctional facilities and supermarkets Australia-wide. They have also been installed at high profile sites such as the MCG in Melbourne and RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane. Consultants and contractors from around Australia are invited to attend (by appointment) this impressive new training and demonstration centre.

Avac Australia
www.avac.com.au