Dispensing Equipment Alliance (DEA) is a non-profit membership organization that was formed as a chapter of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) in 2015. DEA began with the purpose of providing superior leadership and fostering awareness of chemical dispensing technology and its impact on public health and safety through comprehensive educational activities, products, codes and standards, and public awareness initiatives. In addition, the DEA serves as a clearinghouse of experience, ideas, and information to further the objectives and sustain interest on behalf of the DEA membership.
The membership of DEA includes a wide array of chemical dispensing manufacturers and users of these systems. The membership consists of DEMA, Diversey, Ecolab, Hillyard Industries, Hydro Systems, Knight/Idex, P&G Professional, and SEKO USA. Working together, the DEA membership has provided technical assistance to jurisdictions across the country with questions regarding chemical dispensing equipment and how it can be installed safety. In addition, DEA has worked with other organizations to update plumbing codes and standards that deal with chemical dispensing equipment. An excellent example of that collaboration is DEA members sitting on the working group for the revision of ANSI/CAN/ASSE/IAPMO 1055-2020, Performance Requirements for Chemical Dispensers with Integral Backflow Protection.
ASSE 1055 has had somewhat of a short history in comparison to other industry standards. The standard, which was first developed in 1997, establishes specific product testing for the entire piece of equipment rather than just the backflow prevention within the dispenser. Chemical dispensing equipment not only contains integral backflow protection, but also the equipment needed to mix water and cleaning chemicals at a predetermined rate and then dispense the mixture to be used by cleaning staff.
One participant of the ASSE 1055-2020 working group was Dick Haas of Hydro Systems, a member of the Dispensing Equipment Alliance. Haas provided valuable technical insights during the update of the standard. He agreed to talk to us about the standard’s revision, the uses and benefits of chemical dispensing equipment, and some of the issues with installing dispensing equipment correctly.
What was the benefit of having DEA members participate in the ASSE 1055 working group to revise the standard?
Having DEA members assist in clarifying the scope of the standard along with answering technical questions was important. Technical questions answered with practical solutions was our goal, and the inclusion of industry members provides the insight for practical solutions. We want to offer a product that is safe, first and foremost, but the product has to also make sense from an economic perspective.
Now, the updated edition of 1055 not only covers chemical dispensing equipment in America – through its designation as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – but also in Canada through its designation as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC).
With the Covid-19 pandemic still ongoing, one aspect of chemical dispensing equipment is the importance of mixing chemicals in the correct rates to be effective against possible contamination or viruses. When developing the standard, did you think about the process of cleaning a table at a restaurant, or the other uses of chemical cleaning supplies?
When a person is cleaning and sanitizing equipment or surfaces in a restaurant, hospital, or hotel, there are very specific mixture rates that those cleaning supplies need to be mixed at to work correctly. They must not be so diluted that they will be ineffectual, or in other cases not diluted enough, which would create other issues. Utilizing a chemical dispensing system provides for dilution rates to be controlled and engineered at the most effective rates for use.
When dilution levels are maintained properly, the dispensed product provides protection against bacteria and viruses. It is important to remember that the equipment is tested for mixing accuracy to provide product efficacy.
Did you consider the safety of cleaning staff when they come in contact with cleaning chemicals?
Instead of a worker simply pouring cleaning liquids out of a bottle into a bucket, the cleaning liquids are poured from a hose that is connected to both a chemical bottle and a water source. The mixing takes place within the chemical dispensing equipment. Worker safety is just as important as protecting the drinking water source. Utilizing chemical dispensing equipment greatly reduces the risk of splashing undiluted chemicals, which could cause serious harm to an untrained staff worker. Chemical dispensing equipment not only protects the worker’s health, but also reduces the time required to properly mix cleaning products by approximately 20 minutes. This helps protect workers while making them more efficient, and also helps protect the health and safety of others.
Does the chemical dispensing equipment itself provide backflow protection to protect the water supply?
If the chemical dispensing equipment is certified or listed to ASSE 1055, then the backflow prevention is integral to the equipment and protects the drinking water system by utilizing an air gap, elastomer gap, or an atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB). The dispensing equipment, utilizing the venturi effect, pulls chemicals from a holding container and mixes the chemicals with the incoming water at the correct levels. This entire mixing process takes place after the backflow protection contained within ASSE 1055 listed dispensing equipment. Not all chemical dispensing equipment is ASSE 1055 certified – but all chemical dispensing equipment certified to ASSE 1055 has had its model tested to be compliant with the standard’s performance requirements.
What is the biggest issue facing chemical dispensing equipment?
The biggest issue facing dispensing equipment is how to correctly install these systems into existing buildings without forcing a major reconstruction of the plumbing systems. Also, finding a source of water that can be utilized by chemical dispensing equipment that does not violate the jurisdiction’s adopted plumbing codes. It is also critical that the installation meet any local health codes. Chemical dispensing equipment, when installed in restaurant locations, need to comply with a mix of both health codes and plumbing codes. Sometimes these regulations can be confusing to installers and inspectors and DEA works to help ensure compliance with those codes. In new construction, with the proper planning, the installation is much easier to maneuver through. Existing structures do present a challenge and are an issue. DEA could use assistance in finding water supplies that meet the requirements of the plumbing code.
A closer working relationship between ASSE and DEA could provide this guidance and hopefully create language that offers a clear pathway for installers of chemical dispensing equipment. Concise language and proscriptive methods are usually the best method to alleviating confusion in the field when installing systems. Finding a solution for installations of equipment in existing buildings would be a very helpful accomplishment.
Protecting the health and safety of the public is paramount. Finding practical solutions and methods towards that goal requires input from all interested parties. DEA was proud to be able to be a resource during the recent updating of ASSE 1055 standard. Working with standard and code writing bodies to provide not only technical answers but insight on how to best utilize chemical dispensing equipment and how to install it correctly, is the founding reasons DEA was established.
Learn more about the DEA at: www.dispensingequipment.org.
