Non-touch fittings have been reported to be susceptible for Pseudomonas aeruginosa accumulation.
Eight non-touch fittings were mounted on a mobile test sink and connected to the same central water pipe source.
Programmable non-touch fittings are appearing which allow regular automated post-flushing with cold water to prevent water stagnation.
Cold water post-flushing for 10 seconds, however, effectively was able to prevent non-touch fittings from bacterial accumulation over a period of 20 weeks.
Pre-flushing of 30 seconds with cold water was the most effective method to prevent bacterial accumulation in the tested non-touch fittings.
Because of this, water-fitting manufacturers have started to provide programmable non-touch fittings that allow regular automated post-flushing with cold water to prevent water stagnation.
Lepart et al. [ 13] later confirmed these findings that non-touch fittings without temperature selection provide ideal growth conditions for P. aeruginosa.
To investigate if bacterial accumulation in water fittings is a particular problem associated with non-touch fittings, Assadian et al. [ 14] conducted a study comparing 4 different non-touch fitting models against standard handle-operated fittings.
Flushing for 10 seconds with cold water after use or 30 seconds flush before use were both the most effective measures to prevent non-touch fittings from biofilm formation over a period of 20 weeks.
Therefore, the aim of this experimental laboratory based study was to investigate the frequency of usage, the duration of water stagnation, and various post-flushing times after use of non-touch fittings which incorporate brass valve blocks instead of plastic material, on the total bacterial count/mL water.
Eight non-touch fittings with brass valve blocks were mounted on a mobile test sink and connected to the same central water pipe source, differing only in presence or absence of water connection pipes, length of connection pipe, frequency of usage, and time intervals for pre- and post-usage water flush.
