Plumbing Connection 3-2015

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5 6 PLUMBING CONNECTION SPRING 2015
versatile enough to be installed on one or multiple stacks to
ensure the best possible coverage of the drainage networks.
“Plumbers and HVAC engineers will require a week’s worth
of training to establish installation requirements and to
conduct the set up test. Installation on a typical 20 stack
building will take about two days to complete.”
The system is upgradeable too, so additional stacks can
be added as required. As it stands, only one stack is tested
at any given time. Testing and installation is carried out on-
site, usually in the plant room or the roof area. The Dyteqta
team monitors a building remotely; however, a simple user
interface can also be accessed by internal building staff.
If a defective trap seal is detected, building managers are
alarmed and can replace or rectify before the situation
becomes critical.
“The user interface is really easy-to-use,” says Steve. “It
allows facility managers to prioritise stack testing by setting
them as High, Medium or Low which is especially useful for
health care facilities that have a high spread of pathogens.”
MEASURE AND MANAGE
Michael Mekhitarian, Australian Director of Dyteqta adds,
“Unlike electrical and gas work, there haven’t been any
formal tests for plumbing as such. With the introduction of
Dyteqta, this is no longer the case. The ability to test the
system after design and throughout a building’s life provides
assurance that the building drainage system is working
correctly.”
“People tend to look up at air conditioning systems and
vents when inspecting buildings. They neglect to look down
at the drainage systems and this is a cause for concern,”
Michael says.
Current regulations tend to ignore drainage systems
as a major concern for the spread of disease or cross
contamination. As such, a simple pressure test is all that
is required to check the seal between drainage pipes at
the time of commissioning. This leaves the potential for
inadequate and poorly designed systems. Contrary to this;
the water supply, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
systems are subject to heavy regulation because of
pathogens being linked with these sources. Norovirus,
on the other hand, can spread through building drainage
systems and enter into rooms through defective traps.
Dyteqta reduces the risk of infection through cross-
contamination; contributing to a healthier living
environment. In a hospital, for example, the drainage system
links every department; from general medical and isolation
wards to operating theatres, mortuaries and public waiting
rooms.
Hospital acquired infections are a significant cause of
concern and it is estimated that over 180,000 patients
acquire these infections each year, in Australia alone. In
the UK, approximately one in 10 patients’ contract hospital
DYTEQTA HEADS DOWN UNDER
The Dyteqta-System has arrived down under with the first
installation taking place in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
This is a great opportunity for the Australian building industry and
will allow other facilities to see the many benefits that the detection
system provides. A hospital of this magnitude makes for the perfect
test project and the Dyteqta-System will go a long way to ensuring
the health of the building’s drainage system. Plumbing Connection
will follow the progress and keep you up-to-date in a future issue.
Dyteqta
DEFECTIVE WATER TRAP SEALS
acquired infections and it gets even worse in the United
States. In 2002 alone, there were close to 99,000 deaths
associated with hospital acquired infections.
The Dyteqta-System is the first of its kind and marks a
major advancement in the battle against transmission of
disease through cross contamination and prevention of bad
odours; not only in hospitals but across hotels, apartments
and offices too.
By taking a pro-active approach, facilities have the ability
to better protect the health and safety of building occupants
by stopping the spread before it occurs. Plumbers will not
only benefit from more facilities adopting the innovative
system through increased work; they will also play a pivotal
role in enhancing public health security.
HOWDOES THE DYTEQTA-SYSTEMWORK?
THE DYTEQTA-SYSTEMWORKS BY SENDING A MEASURED
SINE WAVE INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
TRAP IS
UNAFFECTED
10HZ
SINUSOIDAL
TEST WAVE