Making Drinking Water More Accessible With Vivreau’s DDA Module

It’s been 11 years since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was first introduced, so Facilities Managers will be well versed in the Building Regulations which require reasonable provision to be made for access to a building and the use of facilities within it.

With over 10 million people in the UK registered as disabled, implementing the latest accessible facilities is an important consideration for today’s FM. With every business under pressure to comply with regulation and provide advanced facilities that meet the needs of all building users, it’s up to FMs to stay ahead of the game.

Measures may already have been put in place to assist disabled building users such as wheelchair ramps, braille signs, hearing loops, light alerts etc. However, simple things like being able to get a glass of water will make the difference between a disabled building user feeling included and provided for, or not.

The provision of drinking water comes under the ‘using facilities’ section of the Building Regulations/DDA guidance note which states that all facilities should be provided from the main floor and popular products should be made available on a mid-height shelf.

It is therefore vital for Facilities Managers to consider drinking water systems in terms of DDA and in order to assist with this mission, Vivreau launched the DDA Module to work with its Vi tap drinking water system.

Vivreau is part of the BRITA group. The company manufactures award winning drinking water systems from its base just outside London and boasts a client list that includes Michelin starred restaurants, five star hotels and a host of large corporate offices.

Innovation has been at the heart of Vivreau’s ethos since its humble beginnings in the early 1990s. The Vi tap was created to address the issue of efficiency, and is capable of dispensing instant boiling hot and cold still and sparkling perfectly filtered water at the touch of a button, all from one beautifully-designed tap.

Possessing sleek aesthetics to complement technologically advanced functions, it is suitable for a range of outlets and establishments due to its small footprint. Robust enough to deal with high demand, with an energy saving option and zero splash, the Vi tap is an asset of efficiency for the busy FM.

Incorporating high performance ice bank refrigeration, the Vi tap is capable of delivering high quantities of chilled water per hour. The high spec boiler can also produce up to four cups of water per minute at over 95 degrees, the perfect temperature for tea! There is even an intelligent safety feature on the Vi tap which prevents boiling water from being dispensed by accident.
Vivreau’s DDA Module has been created to complement the Vi tap, to address the needs of a variety of different types of customer within self-service operations, from cafes and coffee shops to conference centres and the workplace. The module has been designed for ease of use to gain access to the drinking water provision primarily from, but not limited to, a wheelchair location.

The module is installed remotely from the Vi tap system and mounted at the most convenient position for use, to enable the user to safely access drinking water without having to reach over the appliance or boiling water dispense point. It can be mounted on a wall or the front of or underneath the worktop – the position of the module can be decided following a thorough feasibility study undertaken by the FM before installation.

Once installed, customers will be able to place their glass, cup or mug on the drip tray before selecting their dispense option from the DDA Module. The still or sparkling, boiling or chilled water will then pour until the button is released.

Providing facilities which enables all users to access water independently to hydrate can make a big difference to the day to day life for those living with disabilities.

Installing the DDA Module alongside Vivreau’s Vi tap or Vi tap Plus will position the businesses as not only DDA aware but also supportive of the needs of disabled users. The satisfaction of disabled building users will undoubtedly increase as a result of implementing the DDA Module by offering self-service drinking water provision for those that would otherwise have to be waited on by others.

In addition to DDA considerations, the Vi tap is also hygienic, promoting a healthier workplace. Hygiene has been at the heart of each stage of the design process, from the dirt free touch pad, purposefully shallow drip tray (because your drinking water dispenser is not a sink) and the ability to fill water bottles without nozzle contact (no more bottle germs), to the removable dispense nozzle for cleaning.

Implementing changes such as installing new equipment requires organisational commitment and FM’s have the opportunity to make a substantial difference by pitching inclusive equipment as a priority.