The Triangle Building, Cambridge – Product: Direct Flush

The washrooms in the prestigious new international headquarters of exams group Cambridge Assessment feature the latest infrared water management technology from Cistermiser.

More than 1,600 Cambridge-based employees, formerly based in 11 Cambridge Assessment offices located across the city, have been brought together The series of linked buildings, sited to the south east of the city centre, have been designed to provide enough office space to eventually accommodate up to 3,000 people by 2025.in the new HQ complex called The Triangle.

96 Cistermiser Direct Flush ‘Discreet’ infrared urinal flush control valves (DFDs) have been installed in The Triangle’s 20 washrooms by M & E sub-contractor Allied Mechanical Services, the main contractor being construction company Bouygues.

The Direct Flush automatically flushes the individual urinal after use, using as little as 0.5 litres of water each time. This ensures high levels of hygiene from the minimum volume of water. It operates when a PIR sensor remotely mounted above the urinal detects a user at the bowl. This sends a signal to a solenoid valve, with an integral DC pipe interrupter fitted to comply with water regulations, and flushes two seconds after the occupant leaves.

David Meacock, Technical Director for Cistermiser, said: “Direct Flush removes the need for an auto-flush cistern and associated plumbing used in traditional urinal installations, which flush all urinals intermittently even if they have not all been used. Cistermiser has calculated that savings of 134,000 litres of water per year can be achieved where a Direct Flush has been installed.”

The flushing control device is fully configurable for flush time and duration, sensing distance and flush arrest, and can be programmed manually or with an ICU remote control.

The unit also has a programmable periodic hygiene flush function for periods of low use and a cleaner’s function to conserve water during routine cleaning and maintenance. The hygiene flush function helps to prevent odours and any build-up of uric acid in the pipework.

Tony Buckley, Project Manager for Allied Mechanical Services, said: “From an installation point of view, the Cistermiser DFDs and associated multi-product power supply units are quick and easy to fit. They come at the right price with ready availability and meet the high specification with regards to water management as required by the client.”

Established more than 150 years ago, Cambridge Assessment is the exam setting arm of the city’s globally famous university.

It carries out leading edge academic and operational research on assessment in education, designing and delivering assessments to over 8 million learners in over 170 countries.