how can the faucets in onboard restroom be sanitary? Amfleet I or II

[kathy emtiaz]

I was on the Palmetto in business class. Not sure what it's called... Amfleet I or II?

Anyway... it was my first time on Amtrak. My previous experience with railroad travel are only on the TGV(France), ICE(Germany), and Shinkansen 700(Japan)... all places where I've lived for 5 to 10 years.

My question is regarding the faucets in the restroom on these Amtrak trains. I had to push up on the faucet for the water to start flowing. I just can't see how this is sanitary.... thoughts on this?

 

[SP&S]

No experience with these particular faucets but I don't believe one can guarantee anything close to sanitary conditions for any faucet in any public restroom.

 

[Tracktwentynine]

I'm not speaking to sanitary conditions, just to describe the faucet.

These faucets are turned on by pushing up on a doohickey that extends down out of the middle of the spigot.

 

[John Bobinyec]

Carry some handi-wipes, or some such.

jb

 

[BCL]

I know photo sensor faucets are pretty popular these days at public restrooms, but this is older equipment. They were designed to minimize water use by requiring the user to keep the hand pressed for the water to flow. I suppose you mean something like this:

This is a similar setup as aircraft lavatories. It gets cleaned off. If you're really worried about germs, then maybe rinse off the handle while you wash your hands by scooping water and depositing it on the handle. That's what I do. And then you might finish off with some antimicrobial wipes. I've seen these in cafe cars. They're nice because the residue has a bit of antimicrobial action after they're dry. Alcohol hand sanitizer is just plain gone once it evaporates.

As far as touch free stuff goes, there are a lot of battery powered auto flushers from Toto, Sloan, and Zurn. When I was younger I specifically remembered the urinals at San Francisco International Airport had a foot pedal to flush.

 

[TVRM610]

BCL... That is different then what the OP is talking about. It's the Amfleet II faucet and it is a truly weird design. You literally push up on the actual spigot where water comes out.

To the OP.. The newest Amtrak Restrooms are really well designed. (The newly refurbished superliners).

 

[Everydaymatters]

Kathy, I agree with you. I don't see how these could possibly be sanitary. I would rather have the ones pictured above. At least with those you could use a paper towel. Overall, as stated above, I don't think any public washroom can be considered sanitary.

 

[guestBerlin]

Most older European trains still have handles that have to be touched...to say nothing of the handles or buttons to open the doors, etc...in my experience, Europeans realize that (unlike Americans, who have been brainwashed by Johnson and Johnson that everything must be sanitized for each user) a bit of exposure to germs will help keep one's immune system "on its toes" and healty...

 

[BCL]

Oh. Pressed up like an old fashioned liquid soap dispenser?

I found a photo of something similar. It's from a Caltrain lavatory - I think from a Bombardier Bilevel.

If this is similar, I don't see how it's necessarily unsanitary. The water flows and washes away anything in its path. While the hand does touch it, the water self cleans the contact surface by design.

The issue I have with the puttons that need to be held down is that there's often soapy residue on the handle.

 

[BCL]

This morning I rode a California Car and had to use the lavatory. They've got a single button at the end that has to be pressed horizontally, but not right where the water flows. It was a pain because there was soap on the button until I scooped some water and washed it and my other hand. The big issue was the massive "water hammer" whenever I released the button. It would shudder and shake for about a second. I doubt it's good for the pipes, which shakes violently and makes the noise.

 

[TVRM610]

Yes BCL just like the one in that photo.

 

[Kathy Emtiaz]

Kathy, I agree with you. I don't see how these could possibly be sanitary. I would rather have the ones pictured above. At least with those you could use a paper towel. Overall, as stated above, I don't think any public washroom can be considered sanitary.

the faucent has a thingy in the middle and water only comes out when I pushed it up....

what worried me even more was that the cafe car employee used the same restroom. I was sitting in row 4 of business class car, just ahead of the cafe car. I watched her using that restroom a few times. If the faucet is not sanitary, then.... well... you know.... good thing I didn't order anything other than the free can of soda.

 

[zephyr17]

Oh, how we did we ever survive those dark days when you had to turn a faucet to get water to wash your hands? Even in restaurants, horror!

And to think those awful disease-ridden days were only a few short years ago.

 

[Kathy Emtiaz]

Oh, how we did we ever survive those dark days when you had to turn a faucet to get water to wash your hands?

did they have restrooms on trains in the late 19th century?

 

[zephyr17]

But they did 5/10 years ago when you pretty much had to turn a valve to get water almost everywhere.

 

[afigg]

I don't think the faucet design in the Amfleet sinks is that unsanitary. For one, water washes over the pin that you push up. When I use it to wash my hands, I push up the pin with the back or side of my hand as I rinse the soap off.

Public sinks don't concern that much, so long as they are periodically cleaned. How often are modern public facilities vectors for transmission of bacterial or viral infections? Compared to salmonella, etc in the food we buy at the store or in a restaurant? Guess I should google the data on the odds of getting sick from different sources.

 

[Ted Bell]

The bombardier bilevels on Salt Lake City's FrontRunner have the same sink you're describing. I just avoid the bathrooms unless it's an emergency.

 

[BCL]

I don't think the faucet design in the Amfleet sinks is that unsanitary. For one, water washes over the pin that you push up. When I use it to wash my hands, I push up the pin with the back or side of my hand as I rinse the soap off.
Public sinks don't concern that much, so long as they are periodically cleaned. How often are modern public facilities vectors for transmission of bacterial or viral infections? Compared to salmonella, etc in the food we buy at the store or in a restaurant? Guess I should google the data on the odds of getting sick from different sources.

I read about some study that claimed that the automatic faucets with the photoelectrics were actually prone to more germs than traditional faucets with handles. Something about the complex internals and the warm water mixed away from the sink being a bigger breeding ground for bacteria or other germs. Cold water restricts growth, while hot water will likely kill the germs. Something in between at a comfortable temperature for your hands is also at a more comfortable temperature for bacteria. A traditional faucet design will mix the water right in the faucet. I suppose the same issue with warm water as a breeding ground for bacteria would be a concern for any kind of warm water.

However, the stuff used in the toilets and faucet are non-potable. I'm told the main difference is with the hose used to fill the tanks.

 

[Heading North]

I wouldn't worry about the cafe car attendant--nearly all the food is in sealed containers anyway. It's not as if s/he is cooking eggs on the grill. And in terms of handling cash/cards, handing over cups of coffee, cans of soda--the average Starbucks or McDonalds employee probably comes in greater contact.

 

[SarahZ]

If you're that worried, carry some hand sanitizer. Germs are everywhere, not just on the faucets. I'd be willing to bet the restroom door handle has many more germs on it, and there are studies to prove that. The faucet handle is the least of your concerns.

 

[railiner]

However, the stuff used in the toilets and faucet are non-potable. I'm told the main difference is with the hose used to fill the tanks.

IIRC, there is only one water fill point on each side of the passenger cars, that supplies the fresh water tank for all uses, and must be filled with 'potable' water.....even if you see signs telling you not to drink the water, it is still from potable water supply. The main issue is the cleanliness of the tank and the plumbing....although they are governed by regulations as well, IIRC.....

 

[dlagrua]

IMO faucets where you must push up under the spout are sanitary as they are constantly being washed with the flow of water. Seems far better than the faucets mounted on the sink tops. Just to be sure when we travel, especially by sleeper, we always have a spray can of Lysol with us. That stuff kills

99%+ of all germs, viruses etc. We liberally spray the bedroom toilet seat, shower floor,faucet handles and door pulls with it. You never know how clean the occupant of the room was before you so this gives an added level of protection against germs, viruses and highly infectious fungi.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

It's amazing that I've lived to be 57-1/2.

 

[Bob Dylan]

It's amazing that I've lived to be 57-1/2.

Ive got Levis Older than that, you're just a Kid!

As is our Germaphobe in Chief, Penny! :giggle:

 

[dlagrua]

It's amazing that I've lived to be 57-1/2.

We'll if you want to go another 57 1/2 years; stay away from those disease full Amtrak faucets!!My wife is a nurse and a dedicated "germ buster". She carries the full chest of weapons with her at all times; 99% alcohol, Lysol, hand disinfectant (the type doctors use), rubber gloves, bed bug spray, insect repellent, and sanitary wipes. When we stay in a sleeper or hotel room, that place is fully sanitized from front to back. You could even operate in there with complete safety!!