Press Releases

DYTEQTA-SYSTEM AT ECOBUILD 2011
STAND: S1763

Marking a major breakthrough in environmental health, the Dyteqta-System will be on display at Ecobuild 2011 which takes place at Excel London from 1 to 3 March.

As the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind, Ecobuild has attracted more than 1,300 exhibitors this year, representing over 8,000 products, and in excess of 80,000 visitors are expected to attend the three day event.

Visitors to Dyteqta's stand will be able see the world's first dedicated non-invasive, non-destructive, fully automatic drainage monitoring system in operation connected to a test rig. They will also have the opportunity to meet the company's highly trained team and find out how they can protect their building from cross contamination with the Dyteqta-System. Utilising innovative sonar technology, the Dyteqta-System monitors a building's drainage network and detects any loss of water trap seals. When these vital seals are lost, sewer gas containing contaminated air and harmful pathogens present in the drainage and sewer system can enter the building and spread infection.

The protection afforded by water-based trap seals is substantial but has a number of weaknesses. Air pressure transients (surges) generated when flushing toilets, for example, can displace water in the seal, and water in the trap seal of an unused appliance can evaporate over time.

Dyteqta Product Manager, Charles Hartley, says Ecobuild is an ideal event for raising awareness of the role of drainage monitoring in controlling the spread of infection and the effects of sewer gases in all types of building, from healthcare facilities to apartment blocks. He comments: "Often overlooked during routine maintenance checks, the drainage system interconnects an entire building. The culmination of years of research by academics at Heriot-Watt University, the new Dyteqta-System enables building and facilities managers to take a proactive approach to reducing the risk of cross contamination with an affordable and non-disruptive solution that is easy to install in new or existing buildings."

December 2010: NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND A TV DEBUT FOR DYTEQTA-SYSTEM

After successfully launching the Dyteqta-System at the 2009 conference, IHEEM 2010 provided an ideal opportunity for raising awareness of the role of drainage monitoring in controlling the spread of infection in healthcare facilities and showcasing the System's new user-friendly software. The Dyteqta-System has also made its television debut on NHS Online TV, the only digital television service dedicated to specialist healthcare programmes. The System was featured within the documentary Tackling MRSA and Other Hospital Related Infections in October 2010 aimed at NHS employees and healthcare professionals around the world.

Utilising innovative sonar technology, Dyteqta-System is a preventative monitoring system which ensures that there is an adequate seal between the population of a building and the virus/pathogen-laden contents of the drainage and sewer system. A complete re-design of the system software is currently underway as part of a continuous development programme to further improve accuracy and ease of use. In addition to reporting anomalies via email or an existing BMS, the Dyteqta-System now has the ability to alert facilities managers by SMS text message if a fault is found.

Although most people are aware that public buildings must satisfy rigorous safety standards, the majority of checks that are carried out on a regular basis relate to building services such as electrical equipment, fire alarms, air conditioning, and lighting, to name but a few. "However, there is one integral system that is often forgotten and which interconnects an entire building - the drainage system," says Charles Hartley. "In a hospital, for example, this links every area, from general medical and isolation wards to operating theatres, mortuaries and public waiting spaces."

The extensive pipe network is sealed from building occupants, in the main, by a small volume of water in a water trap seal or U-bend. If these seals are lost, harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as C. diff and MRSA, may pass into the occupied space and spread infection. Dyteqta-System is a sonar-like system for monitoring the state of the seal between the building drainage and sewer system and the healthcare building population and so prevents cross contamination from one part of the building to another.

Summing up, Charles Hartley says: "Years of research by academics at Heriot-Watt University have culminated in the Dyteqta-System, a unique product that monitors a building's drainage network to identify any defective water trap seals for timely maintenance. This innovative system, and our expert team, are ready and able to help healthcare managers take a proactive approach to reducing the risk of cross contamination with an affordable and non-disruptive solution that is easy to install in new or existing facilities."

October 2010: TV DEBUT FOR DYTEQTA-SYSTEM

The Dyteqta-System has appeared on NHS Online TV, the only digital television service dedicated to specialist healthcare programmes. A commercial presentation about the system and interviews with Dyteqta personnel was featured within the documentary Tackling MRSA and Other Hospital Related Infections screened on Sky Channel 166 and Freesat Channel 402 on Thursday 14 October 2010 at 7.30pm and repeated on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 6.00pm. The programme was presented by Georgina Burnett and featured Derek Butler, Chairman of MRSA Action UK.

Some 22 million viewers in over 9 million homes can directly receive NHS Online TV in the UK without charge or need for registration. The channel can also be accessed throughout Western Europe on Eurobird, and broadband users across the world can view programmes live via Web Simulcast at http://information.tv/WatchLive/WPM/?id=1. In addition, programmes are available on demand at any time on the NHS Online website at http://www.nhsonline.net.

Dyteqta Product Manager, Charles Hartley, says appearing on the programme Provided us with the opportunity to reach NHS employees and other healthcare professionals around the world. He comments: "We explain how our unique drainage monitoring system can play a vital role in the battle against the transmission of disease, and hospital related infections like MRSA, through cross contamination. Using innovative sonar technology, the Dyteqta-System provides the only solution capable of actively monitoring the drainage network, ensuring that the barrier provided by the water trap seals is maintained and reducing the risk of pathogens filtering through into the living environment. That's why we call the system 'healthcare' for your building."

October 2010: DYTEQTA-SYSTEM - A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Since it was launched at the IHEEM exhibition last year, the Dyteqta-System - the world's first dedicated non-invasive, non-destructive, fully automatic drainage monitoring system - has been generating considerable interest from across the healthcare sector. This has included infection control specialists, facility and building services managers, construction firms and drainage materials suppliers.

In addition, the revolutionary Dyteqta-System is currently being featured in a series of documentaries focusing on hygiene and infection control on the new NHS 247 TV channel. This is providing an ideal platform from which to demonstrate how the Dyteqta-System can help healthcare facilities proactively fight the battle against transmission of disease through cross contamination.

It's a frightening thought that all areas of a building are interconnected by the drainage system, which in the case of a hospital could range from intensive care and isolation wards to the mortuary. Water trap seals are the vital barriers in a drainage system which prevent potential cross contamination. If these seals are lost, harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as C. diff and MRSA, may pass into the occupied space. Using innovative

sonar technology, the Dyteqta-System provides the only proactive solution capable of unobtrusively monitoring the drainage network to identify any defective seals for timely maintenance. This major breakthrough in public health was invented at Heriot-Watt University and developed in conjunction with industry and the UK Research Council, with the newly incorporated Dyteqta Limited bringing this exciting innovation to market.

The size and complexity of modern construction makes manual assessment of the integrity of drainage networks in high use buildings like hospitals impractical and costly. The Dyteqta-System addresses this problem and can be installed in a new building or retrofitted to existing drainage networks and programmed to monitor the integrity of water trap seals on a regular basis as required. The ability to test the drainage system after design and throughout the building's life provides assurance that it is working effectively and reduces the risk of infection spread through defective water trap seals.

The Dyteqta team has recently been strengthened with the appointment of Charles Hartley as Product Manager. Previously a member of the Heriot-Watt team that developed the Dyteqta-System, Charles brings an in-depth knowledge of this ground-breaking technology to his new role promoting the Dyteqta-System as 'healthcare' for buildings.

September 2010: DYTEQTA-SYSTEM AT IHEEM 2010 Stand A14

Since the Dyteqta-System - the world's first dedicated non-invasive, non-destructive, fully automatic drainage monitoring system - was launched at last year's IHEEM further development of this groundbreaking system is now providing even greater functionality. Investment in a new dedicated server and support system is also set to deliver an enhanced level of service to the system's growing user base in the healthcare sector.

Utilising innovative sonar technology, Dyteqta-System is a preventative monitoring system which ensures that there is an adequate seal between the population of a building and the virus/pathogen-laden contents of the drainage and sewer system. A complete re-design of the system software is currently underway as part of a continuous development programme to further improve accuracy and ease of use. In addition to reporting anomalies via email or an existing BMS, the Dyteqta-System now has the ability to alert facilities managers by SMS text message if a fault is found.

Dyteqta Product Manager, Charles Hartley, says IHEEM is an ideal event for raising awareness of the role of drainage monitoring in controlling the spread of infection in healthcare facilities. He comments: "After successfully launching the Dyteqta-System at last year's conference, we'll be showcasing our new user-friendly software at IHEEM 2010. Visitors can see the system in operation connected to a test rig and they'll have an opportunity to meet our highly trained team and find out how they can protect their healthcare facility from cross contamination with the Dyteqta-System."

Although most people are aware that public buildings must satisfy rigorous safety standards, the majority of checks that are carried out on a regular basis relate to building services such as electrical supplies, fire alarms, air conditioning, and lighting, to name but a few. However, there is one integral system that is often forgotten and which interconnects an entire building - the drainage system. The extensive pipe network is sealed from the building population, in the main, by a small volume of water in a water trap seal or U-bend. If these seals are lost, harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as C. diff and MRSA, may pass into the occupied space and spread infection.

Summing up, Charles Hartley says: "Years of research by academics at Heriot-Watt University have culminated in the Dyteqta-System, a unique product that monitors a building's drainage network to identify any defective water trap seals for timely maintenance. At IHEEM we'll be showing healthcare managers how they can take a proactive approach to reducing the risk of cross contamination with this affordable and non-disruptive solution that is easy to install in new or existing facilities."

September 2010: DYTEQTA-SYSTEM DELIVERS ENHANCED FUNCTIONALITY AND SUPPORT

Since the Dyteqta-System - the world's first dedicated non-invasive, non-destructive, fully automatic drainage monitoring system - was launched at last year's IHEEM, continued development of this groundbreaking system is now providing even greater functionality. Following the move to new offices in Hove, East Sussex, Dyteqta is also investing in a new dedicated server and support system that will deliver an even higher level of service to the system's user base in the healthcare sector.

Utilising innovative sonar technology, the Dyteqta-System is a preventative monitoring system which ensures that there is an adequate seal between the population of a building and the virus/pathogen-laden contents of the drainage and sewer system. A complete re-design of the system software is currently underway as part of a continuous development programme to further improve accuracy and ease of use. In addition to reporting anomalies via email or an existing BMS, the Dyteqta-System now has the ability to alert facilities managers by SMS text message if a fault is found. Dyteqta will be showcasing the new user-friendly software at IHEEM 2010, says Product Manager, Charles Hartley. "We'll be giving visitors an opportunity to try out the new software in hands-on demonstrations and they will also able to see the Dyteqta-System in operation connected to a test rig."

Although most people are aware that public buildings must satisfy rigorous safety standards, the majority of checks that are carried out on a regular basis relate to building services such as electrical equipment, fire alarms, air conditioning, and lighting, to name but a few. "However, there is one integral system that is often forgotten and which interconnects an entire building - the drainage system," says Charles Hartley. "In a hospital, for example, this links every area, from general medical and isolation wards to operating theatres, mortuaries and public waiting spaces."

The extensive pipe network is sealed from building occupants, in the main, by a small volume of water in a water trap seal or U-bend. If these seals are lost, harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as C. diff and MRSA, may pass into the occupied space and spread infection. The Dyteqta-System is a sonar-like system for monitoring the state of the seal between the building drainage and sewer system and the healthcare building population and so prevents cross contamination from one part of the building to another.

Summing up, Charles Hartley says: "Years of research by academics at Heriot-Watt University have culminated in the Dyteqta-System, a unique product that monitors a building's drainage network to identify any defective water trap seals for timely maintenance. This innovative system, and our expert team, are ready and able to help healthcare managers take a proactive approach to reducing the risk of cross contamination with an affordable and non-disruptive solution that is easy to install in new or existing facilities."

June 2010: DYTEQTA-SYSTEM - A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Since it was launched at the IHEEM exhibition last year, the Dyteqta-System - the world's first dedicated non-invasive, non-destructive, fully automatic drainage monitoring system - has been generating considerable interest from across the healthcare sector. This has included infection control specialists, facility and building services managers, construction firms and drainage materials suppliers.

In addition, the revolutionary Dyteqta-System is currently being featured in a series of documentaries focusing on hygiene and infection control on the new NHS 247 TV channel. This is providing an ideal platform from which to demonstrate how the Dyteqta-System can help healthcare facilities proactively fight the battle against transmission of disease through cross contamination.

It's a frightening thought that all areas of a building are interconnected by the drainage system, which in the case of a hospital could range from intensive care and isolation wards to the mortuary. Water trap seals are the vital barriers in a drainage system which prevent potential cross contamination. If these seals are lost, harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as C. diff and MRSA, may pass into the occupied space. Using innovative sonar technology, the Dyteqta-System provides the only proactive solution capable of unobtrusively monitoring the drainage network to identify any defective seals for timely maintenance.

This major breakthrough in public health was invented at Heriot-Watt University and developed in conjunction with industry and the UK Research Council, with the newly incorporated Dyteqta Limited bringing this exciting innovation to market.

The size and complexity of modern construction makes manual assessment of the integrity of drainage networks in high use buildings like hospitals impractical and costly. The Dyteqta-System addresses this problem and can be installed in a new building or retrofitted to existing drainage networks and programmed to monitor the integrity of water trap seals on a regular basis as required. The ability to test the drainage system after design and throughout the building's life provides assurance that it is working effectively and reduces the risk of infection spread through defective water trap seals.

The Dyteqta team has recently been strengthened with the appointment of Charles Hartley as Product Manager. Previously a member of the Heriot-Watt team that developed the Dyteqta-System, Charles brings an in-depth knowledge of this ground-breaking technology to his new role promoting the Dyteqta-System as 'health care' for buildings

September 2009: DYTEQTA™ MAKES A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN PUBLIC HEALTH

The launch of the Dyteqta-System, the world’s first dedicated remote, non-invasive, non-destructive drainage monitoring system, marks a major advance in the battle against transmission of disease through cross contamination. Introducing innovative sonar technology to building drainage, the Dyteqta-System identifies the loss of water trap seals in complex drainage networks in high use public and commercial buildings. These vital barriers prevent contaminated air and harmful pathogens, including hospital superbugs such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), passing from the drainage system into the habitable occupied space.

Prior to the launch of the Dyteqta-System, there was no proactive way to monitor the ongoing effectiveness of water trap seals after a building had been completed and occupied. Maintaining the integrity of water trap seals throughout the building is essential to provide protection between the drainage system and habitable space. The size and complexity of modern construction makes manual assessment impractical. If the water in the trap is lost, the building may become contaminated with pathogens and noxious sewer gases.

Defective water trap seals were identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a major contributor to the 2003 SARS epidemic in Hong Kong, in which there were 321 infected cases and 42 deaths in Amoy Gardens estate alone. The WHO report into the outbreak confirmed that SARS had spread through the drainage system as a result of depleted floor traps.

In 2004, in direct response to this public health risk, the Drainage Research Group of Heriot-Watt University (HWU), Edinburgh, invented this innovative system for mapping and assessing water trap seal vulnerability in building drainage systems. An invention which then developed in conjunction with industry and the UK Research Council, resulting in the ongoing partnership with Dyteqta.

The Dyteqta-System can be installed in new buildings or retrofitted to existing drainage networks to remotely monitor the integrity of water trap seals on a full or part time basis as required.

Commenting on this pioneering advance in public health, Emeritus Professor John Swaffield of HWU, stated: “Investing in the Dyteqta-System will help to prevent potentially fatal cross contamination and infection spread in all types of buildings; from hospitals and airports to residential complexes and office blocks. The ability to test a drainage system remotely and by a non-invasive technique after design and through a building’s life will reassure owners, landlords and facilities managers that vital water trap seals are operating effectively.”

Through regular monitoring, any defective water trap seals can be quickly identified for timely maintenance. If required, the Dyteqta team can also provide rectification advice and solutions to persistent water trap seal failures based on available Active Control of the network air pressure regime.

For more information visit www.dyteqta.com or email info@dyteqta.com.