Duravit’s comprehensive urinal portfolio comprises more than 30 different models, from designer urinals to sleek, classic forms, with or without a lid. Urinals made from robust, easy-to-clean sanitary ceramic can help save money and valuable resources, especially in (semi-)public buildings such as airports, libraries, or stadiums.
Duravit’s Christof Breithaupt, who heads up ceramic product development management, outlines the many benefits and offers information on Duravit’s latest ranges.
An ecological and economical alternative
Urinals are impressive due to their pared-down design and cost-effectiveness – they save time, water, and space! Flushing a urinal uses much less water than a toilet – as little as just 0.5 litres, depending on the model. They can reduce waiting times in facilities where many users are expected. Cleaning, installation, and maintenance also take less time. The available space in (semi-)public sanitary rooms can be used effectively because urinals are much more space-efficient than toilet cubicles – the narrow model of the Starck 3 series is especially suitable here, measuring just 245mm in width. Privacy is ensured with simple dividing walls made from sanitary ceramic, which are a seamless match and especially easy to clean. Arranged in a row, they create a sense of uniformity within the room.
Water-saving or even waterless!
Urinals do particularly well when saving water: a urinal’s efficient water flow guarantees excellent flushing results with low water consumption. “Depending on the model and selected flushing program, Duravit urinals use between just 0.5 to 2.1 litres of water per flush,” explained Christof Breithaupt.
Waterless urinals use a hose diaphragm integrated into the outlet instead of a conventional flush. This diaphragm only opens automatically and invisibly during urination and before closing to prevent odours. Although waterless urinals are often overshadowed by their water-flushing counterparts, they offer reliable hygiene and protection from odours. Taking water for flushing out of the equation removes the need for energy-intensive wastewater cleaning and treatment.
Hygiene despite high user frequency
Despite the high visitor frequency of sanitary facilities in public buildings such as airports, railway stations, or sports stadiums, Duravit urinals are particularly hygienic in use. Their interior surface is fully glazed to avoid unhygienic deposits of dirt.
The WonderGliss coating that is baked into ceramic ensures quick and easy cleaning. Another alternative is the antibacterial glaze HygieneGlaze, which inhibits bacterial growth without human intervention.
The contactless control unit, installed inconspicuously on the underside of the DuraStyle and Utronic urinals to prevent vandalism, also augments the hygiene factor.
The Duravit ME by Starck urinal (pictured above) is fitted with the patented Duravit Rimless® flushing technology. Without a flushing rim, it offers perfect flushing, is extremely easy to clean, and also reduces water use: only 0.5 liters of water are used for each flush. The urinal is also available with the special WonderGliss Duravit ME by Starck surface, which not only saves time and water, but also stays clean for a long time. Another alternative is the HygieneGlaze antibacterial coating, which provides effective protection against bacteria and germs.
Duravit D-Code urinals (pictured above right) with Duravit Rimless® flushing technology are especially easy to clean thanks to their open flushing rim. Their jet nozzle guarantees a hygienic surface flush with minimal water use. The Duravit D-Code urinal is also available with a water inlet from above and behind. (Image source: Duravit AG)
Pictured above left – Duravit Utronic, features electronic control units developed especially by Duravit to ensure optimum hygiene for the Utronic urinals. As soon as the user moves away from the urinal the flushing action is triggered by an infra-red sensor. To prevent vandalism, the control units on the electronic urinals are installed inconspicuously on the underside.
Rows of urinals are the most suitable solution in facilities where many users are to be expected. Very narrow models, such as the Starck 3 – pictured left – are only 245 mm wide, making optimum use of the available space. _
Pictured at the top of the page is the outdoor NOA Outdoor Living Experience Center in Kruisem, Belgium. The products from Duravit – including urinals from the series ME by Starck and Starck 3, along with matching urinal partitions for privacy – guarantee a pleasant sense of well-being – even with high visitor frequencies.
