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52 Medical Construction & Design | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2018 | MCDM AG.COM applications, case studies & best practices s Products To address continuing demand for its services, Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin needed to add reliable touch-free faucets on the exterior of certain patient rooms. Mandatory and monitored hand-washing before and after entering patient rooms is required by the hospital for all caregivers and visitors to help prevent the spread of infection. The project required new plumbing for the touch-free electronic faucets. The hospital considered and rejected battery-powered faucets, concerned they wouldn't be reliable enough, especially if the faucets are not used regularly. Installing electricity and wiring to power hard-wired faucets, on the other hand, would cost more and take longer than battery-powered faucets. "It was defi nitely a challenge," says Scott Altenberger, project manager of plant operations for the hospital. "We would have to bring in additional power just for the faucets. Plus, we also needed the ability to monitor their performance and functioning on a regular basis to maintain hand-washing and hygiene standards." Altenberger needed wireless, self- sustaining faucets that saved installation costs, energy and water and were easy to install in tight spaces. In addition, the faucets had to be ADA compliant and meet drinkability standards, low-lead requirements and today's building codes. Altenberger and Froedtert Hospital selected HyTronic faucets with a self-sustaining power system from Chicago Faucets. The SSPS uses the fl ow of water to create and store power. A cross-fl ow water turbine generates the necessary power, providing optimal power generation even at low fl ow rates. There is no need to replace batteries, supply backup batteries or wire the faucet to the building's power supply. Even after long terms of non-use, the unit activates the faucet and generates power. Fifty-three deck-mounted HyTronic faucets with gooseneck spouts were installed in the patient areas of the north tower and west hospital building. The faucets feature a water-saving, hygienic 1.5 gpm (5.7 L/min) laminar fl ow. Eight E-Tronic 40 faucets with SSPS and a 0.5 gpm (1.9 L/min) fl ow rate were installed in the public restroom areas for even more water savings. Thanks to the SSPS from Chicago Faucets, Froedtert Hospital saved about $35,000 in electrical wiring costs. Chicago Faucets Commander, a handheld programming unit, is compat- ible with HyTronic and E-Tronic faucets. Using Commander, maintenance person- nel can enable unique modes like Clean Mode, Scrub Mode or Water Saver Mode, customizing each faucet for its environ- ment or unique application requirements. Data can be transferred from Commander to a PC, allowing the creation of usage reports and maintenance records. "Monitoring the faucets is easy using the Commander. We can scan the faucets many times a day and provide the mainte- nance or repair needed to keep the units running. And through usage history we can gauge where future units should be installed or if units are not being used and assess the reasons," added Altenberger. Visit chicagofaucets.com. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin regional healthcare network is made up of Froedtert Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and more than 25 primary and specialty care health centers and clinics. Self-sustaining power supply for faucets saves hospital system in electrical wiring costs Keeping Savings Flowing FIXTURES ASHE has recognized Froedtert Hospital through its Energy Effi ciency Challenge program for the reduction of energy consumption. As part of the program — and to encourage frequent hand- washing — a plaque was placed above each faucet.