Bobrick to Host AIA-Accredited Panel Discussion on Minimizing Disease Transmission in Public Restrooms
As design and building professionals contend with evolving requirements and expectations in the COVID-19 era and beyond, Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. will present a July 28 online panel discussion titled “Revisiting Restroom Hygiene & Planning.” The webinar will review restroom design strategies for minimizing disease transmission by maximizing hygiene, optimizing space and traffic flow and enabling proactive sanitation and maintenance, offering recommendations rooted in official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
The event will be held July 28 at 1 p.m. EDT. Architects will earn 1 AIA/HSW learning unit (LU) by live streaming the event online.
“As buildings begin to reopen and architects explore new design solutions, it’s critical to find consensus between the epidemiological, architectural and sanitation communities on the best paths forward for public spaces,” says Bobrick Vice President, Marketing, David Leigh. “Bobrick is proud to bring together qualified minds to inspire dialogues and help architects design safer, more hygienic restrooms.”
Offering infectious diseases expertise will be Juliet Ferrelli, Network Director of Infection Prevention, Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA, who will explain the science of virus and bacteria transmission and how to prevent the spread of disease in public restrooms. Ferrelli has worked in infection prevention for 18 years, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped to lead and provide consultation on infection prevention decisions at Allegheny Health Network.
Also among the panelists are Caroline Feran, NCIDQ, Associate and Interior Designer, and Lee Pasteris, NCIDQ, Design Director and Principal, of world-renowned architecture firm Gensler, who will discuss the evolving role of design professionals in creating safe, hygienic public restroom spaces. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Gensler has provided thought leadership on the future of building design with its dialogue blog series, “Design Responds to a Changing World.”
Joining Ferrelli, Feran and Pasteris is David Dickman, AAP, CIMP, of Allynt Solutions, an auditing firm that consults with facilities on janitorial and sanitation decisions. Accredited by worldwide cleaning industry association ISSA as a Cleaning Management Institute Professional, Dickman will review restroom risk mitigation as well as auditing practices for effective janitorial cleaning and maintenance.
Representing Bobrick at the event is Alan Gettelman, author of “A Planning Guide for Accessible Restrooms” and Bobrick Vice President of External Affairs. Gettelman, a nationally renowned authority on accessibility standards compliance who has consulted on architectural specifications for decades, will explore the role of manufacturers in providing product and design solutions and helping architects achieve hygiene objectives.
Part of Hanley Wood University’s Virtual Education Summit, held July 28-30, the event will be moderated by Jeff Lee, senior director of content development for Building Forward at Hanley Wood. A recording of the event will also be available for one year following the online event for AIA/HSW credit.
