Hi Terence

Thanks for your response.

I agree with all you say but we can’t adapt without invalidating warranties etc.  Levers are used because the siphon is the cheapest and easiest flushing option but the use of remote push pads could be better.  The option I am now looking at uses a vacuum tube to connect the push pad to the flush valve which is very user friendly in operation……. trouble is that the manufacturers have only produced flushing systems with 4.5ltr/2.6ltr options for their ranges where the small push buttons are located on the top of the cistern.  This system is not accessible/usable to many disabled people.  All new public buildings now have to have wheelchair accessible toilets but I suppose that as a percentage of sales it is very low.  I am writing to manufacturers as we speak.

 

Regards

 

 

Hello,

As a designer it seems odd that this  should be an issue at all. This is hardly a technological big problem. Basic toilet remote flush uses bicycle technology and less.  Any 1^st year mach engineering design student might be expected to design up a decent solutions with a lever that could be produced on a 3D printer for a few dollars. The technology for operating the flush on dual flush toilets is not exactly high tech  - it’s  the injection molded equivalent of pushing the right bits with plastic lolly sticks. It may be the firms themselves hadn’t realised  there is a market and could quickly respond with a good solution. Have they been asked?

Puzzling for me is why use a lever for this situation? Remote push pads are an obvious alternative as is the use of cheap and reliable hands free sensors and low voltage actuators.

I’d love to know if this is a more widespread problem and the solution people find works best.

Best wishes,

Terence
===
Dr. Terence Love, FDRS, AMIMechE, PMACM, MISI
Love Design and Research
Tel/Fax: +61 (0)8 9305 7629
Mobile: +61 (0)434 975 848
[log in to unmask]
www.love.com.au
===

 

 

 

 

 

HI, I’m not an expert on BREEAM but I thought that it was a voluntary code.

 

Isn’t there an argument that if it doesn’t acknowledge that the standard they’re asking for isn’t possible in accessible toilets because the equipment isn’t available yet that, firstly, the standard they’ve set is wrong (at least in that one area) and, secondly, a funding body should therefore allow some flexibility because of that?

 

Paul

 

 

 

Unfortunately it is not that simple with BREEAM....... the equipment has to be dual flush and permenant....... I have found dual flush cisterns and syphons with levers but non of them perform to the BREEAM Bespoke standard which is that the dual flush has to be a max of 4.5ltr/2.6ltr..... all the cisterns/syphons/vales to which you can attach a lever handle or proximity sensor exceed this..... Armitage shanks make an adaptor kit to convert from press button to lever but it does not conform to BREEAM or even other regulations and they don't recommend using it????  .... I am now looking at an armitage shanks option which involves large push pads which can be remotely sited eg on an adjacent wall........ BREEAM is very proscriptive and even though we are using harvested rainwater to flush all the loos there is no scope to relax the BREEAM requirement for the dual flush
...... never a dull momen.......

alan

-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list on behalf of Séamus Grogan
Sent: Wed 04/08/2010 20:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dual flush toilets

I have to agree with Vin West..the litre bottle or the "2lb jam jar" in the
cistern.... cheap, simple, universal and sustainable!!





Regards,



Séamus Grogan







From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
helen kane
Sent: 04 August 2010 19:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dual flush toilets



Alan,



Took me ages to source the dudley lever.  Photo attached, to prove it
exists.



Helen

> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 11:22:06 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Dual flush toilets
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Hi everybody
>
> does anyone know if there is such a thing as a dual flush cistern or
syphon or valve which can be lever operated to conform to BREEAM Bespoke
standard? The only thing preventing our authority achieving this standard at
the moment in a new youth centre (and the standard is a requirement of the
funding) is the toilet in the accessible cubicle. As far as I have been able
to discover the only options available use push buttons on the cistern
rather than a lever and although there are dual flush syphons which can be
lever operated I have failed to find one which has a 3 litre or less flush.
>
> Any ideas greatfully appreciated.
>
> It may be possible to utilise a push pad on the wall or side /front of the
cistern but without seeing examples it is difficult to know if they would be
of any use...
>
> many thanks
> alan
>
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