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Smart Sanitary Systems & Building Health: How IQRF® Helps Prevent Legionella

In today’s episode, we look at technology from a different angle. It may not occur to many people that an ordinary tap or shower in an office, hotel, school, or airport can become a potential health risk — especially due to Legionella bacteria.

As a real-world example, we discuss the intelligent sanitary system installed at the Cracow University of Technology. The system, delivered by Sanela, uses IQRF wireless technology to monitor and manage sanitary equipment across large buildings — from usage statistics to hygiene protection.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Smart monitoring for modern sanitary facilities

The system makes it possible to remotely and centrally track: soap dispenser status, water consumption per toilet, urinal, or shower, and operational data across all sanitary rooms. Everything runs wirelessly via IQRF^®, helping reduce water and energy costs and making cleaning services more efficient.

2. Automatic hygienic flushing – critical for Legionella prevention

Beyond comfort and cost savings, the system brings a key health benefit: automatic flushing of underused water pipes.

Legionella thrives in stagnant warm water, often found in rarely used rooms, unused bathroom wings, or empty accommodation areas. Infection usually occurs through inhaling contaminated aerosols, not by drinking the water — for example: from showers, from air conditioning units, from fountains or hot tubs.

High-risk groups include: seniors, people with chronic illnesses, patients with weakened immunity (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, spas).

This is why automated hygienic flushing is essential — and why reliable wireless control via IQRF is so valuable.

3. Secure and reliable wireless mesh communication

Each device includes an IQRF^® transceiver, forming a self-healing mesh network that ensures: strong connectivity even through thick walls, stable communication despite interference, encrypted data transmission for maximum security.

4. Practical benefits for facility managers

Smart sanitary systems powered by IQRF^® offer: reduced water and heating costs, automatic and documented hygiene processes, accurate operational statistics, clear evidence of flushing cycles (important during audits), improved user safety and comfort.

Why it matters

These smart sanitary solutions do far more than automate restrooms. With IQRF, they become an active part of building health management, helping prevent dangerous bacterial growth and ensuring safer environments for occupants. This case clearly shows how IoT in sanitary technology brings health protection, operational efficiency, and cost reductions — all thanks to a robust wireless network with no need for new cabling.

More information:

• IQRF Technology – www.iqrf.org

• MICRORISC – www.microrisc.com

• IQRF Alliance – www.iqrfalliance.org

Note: IQRF^® technology continues to evolve. Parameters and features described in this episode may change over time.