Rethinking the Post Pandemic Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fundamental flaws in how we design public and commercial spaces, especially bathrooms. Bacteria and viruses can spread easily via contaminated surfaces such as sinks and tap handles. Even seemingly innocuous tasks, such as flushing the toilet, can cause droplets of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to linger in the air.1 Places wherein large volumes of people congregate have greater rates of exposure, making commercial buildings susceptible to viral outbreaks.

The global pandemic has introduced a paradigm shift – hygiene and health are now the key design priorities for commercial environments. All future and existing structures will need to comply with infection control measures. Greater input from disease specialists will be required in construction projects that often see the design stage as a chance for cost-cutting. Rather than small tweaks, hand hygiene and distancing measures will permeate throughout a structure changing the way we design buildings forever.

This new reality is expanding opportunities for designers and specifiers to implement innovative designs to minimise the risk of viral and bacterial transmission. By incorporating touchless interfaces that deliver functionality and comfort, designers can change the way people move and interact with a space, all while protecting them from infection. In this whitepaper, we discuss the risks of infection in public spaces and how holistic measures for infection prevention can be incorporated in commercial environments and public bathrooms

Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 (as well as the common cold or flu) spread when an infected person sheds virus particles in the release of bodily fluids, such as by coughing or sneezing, or
touching surfaces. This contaminated surface is a “fomite”, which is an object that, when exposed to infectious agents, can transfer the disease to a new host. While many cases of COVID-19 have been transmitted through aerosols and droplets in the air, it is well established that viral transmission can occur by someone touching an infected surface and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.

In addition to viruses, infectious bacteria, which can also be spread by a simple touch, is a significant public health issue. According to recent studies, approximately 165,000 Australians contract healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in hospitals around the country every year.3 A common type of infectious bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (also known as “SAB” or “Golden staph”), which can cause a deadly bloodstream infection. Antibiotic-resistant strains of SAB have a median mortality rate of 35%.4 Other types of infectious bacteria include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, all of which have strains that are becoming resistant to treatment.

For businesses, the risk of infection is a costly one. Absenteeism costs the Australian economy an estimated $44 billion annually,5 not including the devastating effects of public lockdowns. An outbreak within a workplace can not only reduce productivity and employee retention but also severely damage the brand in the eyes of the general public. Accordingly, it is in a business’ interest to invest in effective hygiene and infection control, creating new opportunities for informed design professionals to make a lasting impact.

“For businesses, the risk of infection is a costly one. Absenteeism costs the Australian economy an estimated $44 billion annually.”

Surface contamination

Office and public areas include many common spaces and shared resources that may serve as sites for infectious diseases. Viruses have shown resilience in surviving on inanimate objects. Research by the CSIRO has found that at colder temperatures (approximately 20°C) infectious SARS-CoV-2 material was able to be recovered from smooth, non-porous surfaces. At 30°C, the infectious virus was recovered after seven days.

Bathrooms are particularly at risk given the number of people using the space, the number of high-touch surfaces (e.g. taps, door handles, and toilet flush buttons), inconsistent cleaning procedures, and poor hand hygiene practices. One study reported that in several bathroom and toilet sites, the virus was found on 50% of bathroom door handles and 19% of taps.7 Bacteria was found on 14% of door handles and 9% of taps.8 In a public toilet, levels of contamination are expected to be even higher. 

Hand hygiene

Skin or hand hygiene is one of the primary ways of preventing person-to-person transmission. Microbes have the ability to survive on hands for a long period of time and can be picked up and spread by touching contaminated surfaces or through physical interaction with other infected people.

Diligence is required to ensure effective handwashing procedures are followed. The WHO’s recommended hand hygiene procedure requires the use of an alcohol-based hand rub for 20-30 seconds if hands are not visibly dirty, and 40-60 seconds with soap and water using the appropriate technique if hands are visibly dirty.10 Defective handwashing procedures can result in hands remaining contaminated with viruses and bacteria. Well-designed and easy-to-use handwashing stations throughout a building can encourage regular handwashing and better hygiene practices.

Physical distancing 

Physical or “social” distancing requires maintaining two metres of physical space between individuals in an enclosed space. For viruses spread via air droplets, social distancing prevents individuals from inhaling the virus into their lungs. The two-meter space between two individuals allows droplets to fall to the floor when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. 

Social distancing helps limit opportunities to come in contact with contaminated surfaces and infected people.12 However, social distancing measures require a significant behavioural change and non-compliance has been an issue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cleaning and maintenance 

Effective cleaning and maintenance is a major components of infection control. Routine cleaning procedures are required to maintain a hygienic environment, especially in busy commercial spaces.

The effectiveness of cleaning procedures can be limited by operational constraints such as lack of resources and time, poor equipment and lack of training. Levels of cleanliness can vary depending onwho is conducting the cleaning and their adherence to cleaning protocols. Even if cleaning procedures are strictly followed, there is downtime in between cleans where surfaces can become contaminated. If cleaning equipment is poorly maintained, using such equipment will likely spread germs and bacteria rather than eliminate them

A holistic approach 

Public bathrooms are often the most visited spaces in a commercial facility, so they are rightly given heavy focus in hygienic building design. However, effective infection control across an entire building is necessary to prevent cross-contamination. In common spaces, studies show that viral pathogens can spread rapidly throughout a building.13 Implementing safety measures in the bathroom will be futile if pathogens from another part of the building are brought into the space. Accordingly, hygiene and distancing measures need to permeate throughout the facility.

Reducing the risk of infection in a public space, including commercial bathrooms, requires us to address the key risk factors that contribute to the likelihood of transmission. Design strategies and solutions should therefore specifically target such factors.

Encouraging better hygiene habits

A key characteristic of infection control in the post-COVID world is easy to access to handwashing facilities. Accessible, numerous and easy-to-use handwashing stations or sanitisation points throughout a building will help reinforce hygienic behaviours. Handwashing stations at entry points, front-of-house or spaces with high-touch surfaces are recommended.

There is a risk that tap handles can become contaminated during handwashing procedures. Given this risk, designers and specifiers are adopting touch-free, sensor-activated washing stations, which can eliminate contact with contaminated taps. Sensor technology can be implemented on bathroom taps to eliminate the tap handle as a point of infection while enabling easy operation for the delivery of water.

Implementing social distancing measures

To meet social distancing requirements, the maximum occupancy in most commercial spaces has been reduced. The layout and furniture configuration within a space should allow users to maintain a safe distance from other individuals, and discourage impromptu gatherings. Dividing areas within a space with a 2m diameter circle can provide users with a visual reminder of social distancing requirements.

In bathrooms, wider wash basins and toilet stalls will help provide a safe space between amenities. Traffic flow will have to be closely considered to facilitate more one-way traffic rather than cross-traffic to avoid congestion in the bathroom.

Reducing shared touchpoints

With rising concerns about surface contamination and hand hygiene, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of touchless technology. Designers can eliminate shared touchpoints with hands-free solutions such as automatic door openers, lifts and faucets. Sensor-activated taps are already required in healthcare environments, which are the design standard for infection control,14 and should be considered throughout a facility in kitchens, handwashing stations, and bathrooms. In bathrooms, the removal of high-touch fixtures like enclosed cabinetry or shelving can also help reduce the accumulation and transfer of germs and pathogens.

Specifying easy-to-clean surfaces

Designers can facilitate increased levels of hygiene by specifying smooth, seamless surfaces that are easily cleaned. Surfaces that are prone to scratches and cracks are more difficult to clean and provide reservoirs in which microbes can thrive.

Architectural products and building materials with antimicrobial properties will likely become more commonplace as they provide 24/7 protection against microbial growth. Note that antimicrobial products are not effective against all viruses and bacteria, so ensure the product has been tested sufficiently and provides the required protection for your intended application.

“With rising concerns about surface contamination and hand hygiene, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of touchless technology.”

From the leader in electronic tapware and water control, Autoflo Touch-Free Electronic Sensor Taps have been designed to provide fully automatic and touch-free operation for ultra convenience and to stop the spread of viral and bacterial infection. Ideal for areas such as commercial kitchens, food handling areas, hospitals and public amenities, this innovative water system provides a hygienic and easy-to-use solution for handwashing, all without requiring users to touch the tap.

Touch-free operation is controlled using state-of-the-art sensing technology with a precisely focused infrared sensor that has been optimised to reject false triggering and spurious environmental interference. The Autoflo range includes deck and wall-mounted taps, gooseneck and pillar designs, AutoAqua, and healthcare models that incorporate Agion antimicrobial technology, which is designed to release automatically only when conditions for bacteria growth are present, providing the longest-lasting protection against microbes and bacteria.

With the installation of an Autoflo tap, significant water (of up to 75%) and energy saving can be achieved. Water is delivered only when required. An incorporated safety timer enables the tap to provide a continuous water flow for only a short period of time, preventing water wastage through misuse, vandalism or accidents.

Autoflo works closely with designers and specifiers to design tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of any project. The company’s suite of standard products offers premium quality, functionality and performance for most applications, but when the fit is not quite right, customisable options, such as different surface finishes, custom lighting within products and custom flow control options, are available. If adaptations of the standard range do not meet requirements, Autoflo can produce completely custom tapware for specific projects.

Autoflo taps, through their commitment to advanced electronic design and manufacturing to the highest standards of quality, have proven themselves to be the most enduring and reliable solution on the market in this category for over twenty years. Autoflo proudly designs and manufacture their products in Melbourne and are proud to carry the Australian-made mark.