Automatic faucets, also known as bathroom automatic faucets, auto sensor faucets, or automatic sensor faucets, have a history dating back to the 1950s when they were first developed. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s that these faucets were manufactured for commercial use and introduced to the public, with notable installations taking place in airport lavatories. O'Hare Airport, renowned for its innovative practices, is often credited as the pioneer in adopting this cutting-edge technology.
The concept of automatic faucets began to take shape in the 1950s, driven by advancements in sensor technology and the desire to improve hygiene and convenience. However, refining the design and manufacturing automatic faucets on a commercial scale took several decades.
It wasn't until the late 1980s that they were ready for widespread adoption.
Airports, characterized by high traffic and a focus on cleanliness and efficiency, provided an ideal environment to introduce automatic faucets. O'Hare Airport, known for its reputation as an innovation hub, embraced this new technology early on. By installing automatic faucets in their lavatories, O'Hare Airport aimed to offer travelers a more hygienic and user-friendly experience.
The introduction of automatic faucets at O'Hare Airport marked a significant milestone in the adoption of touchless technology in public spaces. It paved the way for the widespread use of automatic faucets in various settings, including airports, hotels, restaurants, and public restrooms.
Since their introduction, automatic faucets, also referred to as sensor faucets or auto sink faucets, have become increasingly prevalent. They provide hands-free operation and improved sanitation, thanks to the integration of faucet sensors. These sensor faucets enhance hygiene by eliminating the need for physical contact and contribute to water conservation efforts by minimizing unnecessary water waste.
The story of O'Hare Airport being an early adopter of automatic faucets exemplifies how this revolutionary technology gained recognition and acceptance, ultimately shaping the future of modern restroom fixtures.
The pros and cons of touchless faucets continue to be explored, with their convenience and improved hygiene being the key advantages, while factors such as initial installation costs and sensitivity adjustments pose potential challenges. Nonetheless, automatic faucets have become an integral part of contemporary restroom designs, offering a seamless and hygienic experience for users.When it comes to selecting restroom touchless faucet, keep in mind these automatic faucets or
hands-free faucets are equipped with proximity sensor. Such mechanism of these sensor
aim is to open the valve of touchless faucet so water can flow based on hands
presence that are close to proximity.
These touchless faucets then close their valves within fraction of seconds if they don't
detect hand any longer. Many of these automatic faucets are available in AC/DC
with active infrared sensor that detects the motion of the hand. Automatic
faucets are also known as infrared faucet, sensor faucet,
and touchless faucet.
How touchless faucets work?
The sensor in the automatic faucets has a light-emitting diode or an LED, which is a tiny light bulb,
this LED emits the light continuously, and its wavelength is much longer than visible
light in short, its invisible to the eye of a human.
When a human hand or any other solid object enters into this LED range, it reflects and the infrared
light signal into a receiver diode, thus as the light is detected by the receiver diode,
the valve opens allowing water to flow through the faucet.
With the same technology when the solid object or hand is removed from the range of LED,
the signal to the receiver diode is cut allowing the valve to close and
seize water from running.
Advantages of Automatic Faucets
In comparison with regular faucet, sensor faucets offer numerous advantages when compared
to regular faucets. In particular, infrared faucets are highly hygienic in comparison
to standard faucets.
They operate without the need for human contact, significantly reducing the risk of bacterial
and viral contamination. This makes hands free faucets an ideal choice for
high-traffic restrooms, including those in hospitals, nursing homes, schools,
airports, and other public facilities.
Installing these faucets in public places is crucial due to the large number of individuals
using public washrooms and sinks. With everyone carrying their own germs,
it becomes imperative to prioritize hygiene.
By minimizing disease transmission, such faucets play a significant role in
maintaining a high level of cleanliness and
preventing the spread of illnesses.
When using a regular faucet be it in private or public places, you often have to touch
it with dirty hands to start the flow of water. However, with the presence of
hands free faucets, you no longer need to make such physical
contact to initiate the water flow.
Such feature of these sensor faucet provides a notable advantage eliminating the
need for physical contact, enhancing hygiene, reducing the risk of
cross-contamination, and promoting a cleaner and more
sanitary environment.
This convenient and hygienic feature makes these faucets a preferred choice for
both private and public settings, ensuring a more pleasant and worry-free
handwashing experience, no doubt such
feature is a significant advantage.
These faucets only run water for the necessary duration during handwashing, resulting in
significant water savings. Some of our models feature an automatic shut-off
mechanism that stops the water flow after 90 seconds
of continuous use.
This particular type of faucet is highly recommended for installations in schools and nurseries,
where children may inadvertently leave the faucets running. By incorporating
touchless faucets in these settings, water wastage can be minimized,
promoting responsible water usage and sustainability.
Although these faucets are more expensive compared to regular faucets,
however, they offer a sustainable solution for water conservation and
energy efficiency.
By promoting responsible water management, thus contributing to
sustainability efforts and creating a more eco-friendly and
efficient solution for hand hygiene which makes them
beneficial for the planet.
Disadvantages
While the disadvantages of motion sensor faucets should be considered, it's important to
note that advancements in technology and product quality have helped mitigate
many of these drawbacks.
Like every product has its advantages, they also have disadvantages. Some users may
need time to adjust to the touchless operation of motion sense faucets. They
may have to familiarize themselves with the appropriate hand
placement for optimal sensor activation, especially if they
are accustomed to traditional manual faucets.
This learning curve can cause temporary inconvenience or confusion for users.
Automatic faucets have more complex mechanisms compared to manual
faucets, making them potentially more prone to maintenance issues
Sloan: Sloan is a leading provider of commercial touchless faucets. Their products are
designed for high-traffic areas like airports, hospitals, and restaurants,
and feature advanced technologies like Sensor Activated.
BathSelect: BathSelect is also a popular brand that offers touchless faucets among its product range.
BathSelect has gained a reputation for providing reliable and high-quality touchless
faucets. Their faucets are known for their touchless operation,
durability, and stylish designs.
These touchless sink faucets which are commonly found in commercial and public settings,
offer smart technology with sleek and futuristic appearance while providing
the added benefits of convenience and hygiene.
About FontanaShowers
FontanaShowers, a USA company with a rich history spanning more than three decades, with over 30 years of experience in creating luxurious and technologically advanced bathroom fixtures and accessories. The company stands at the intersection of functionality and innovation, offering a diverse array of products that cater to both commercial and residential spaces. Among offerings are sophisticated showerheads that range from thermostatic systems to cutting-edge, voice-controlled smart showers equipped with digital interfaces. For those looking to add a touch of allure, the we specialize in captivating LED showerheads. We provide high-grade touchless faucets and automatic soap dispensers designed to handle high traffic with ease. The line of bathtubs includes both freestanding and drop-in models, available in various styles and dimensions to suit any interior.