All UBC buildings and infrastructure comply to UBC Technical Guidelines, which serve as the code of quality and performance for the design, construction and renovation of UBC-owned institutional buildings.
In this section
Core soap, paper towel, and hand sanitizer dispensers
The number of core soap, paper towel, and hand sanitizer dispensers for each building and space follow UBC technical guidelines. For any additional dispensers, these dispensers are not considered ‘Core’ dispensers and the faculty/department is responsible for funding the additional dispenser and ongoing refills. See section “Customer-funded soap, paper towel, and hand sanitizer dispensers and refills.”
Paper towel dispensers
- All kitchens and lounges have paper towel dispensers installed, conforming to UBC standards.
- New buildings are switching to hand dryers, but almost all existing buildings have paper towel dispensers in washrooms.
- Teaching labs (non-teaching and research labs are excluded).
Soap dispensers
- All kitchens and lounges have hand soap dispensers installed, conforming to UBC standards.
- Listed as a design requirement for washrooms.
- Teaching labs (non-teaching and research labs are excluded) .
Hand sanitizer dispensers
- Wall mounted or stand-alone dispensers at the main entrance(s) of every building
- For information, visit UBC technical guidelines.
Customer-funded soap, paper towel, and hand sanitizer dispensers and refills
If the faculty/department would like to order additional soap, paper towel, or hand sanitizer dispensers, this order and the ongoing refills will be customer-funded. These dispensers are not considered ‘Core’ dispensers and they will not be regularly maintained by UBC Facilities.
Ordering additional dispensers
Faculty/departmental buyers have been informed of the procedure to follow for ordering additional dispensers. Should the faculty/departmental buyers need additional support, please contact Jason Lee (jason.j.lee@ubc.ca) in Financial Operations. Jason will provide procurements details for the dispenser refills.
Installing and maintaining dispensers
For assistance with installing the new dispenser, faculty/departments will need to submit a customer-funded Service Request. In the Service Request, please ensure to include a contact person, where UBC Facilities staff should pick-up the dispenser for installation, and where the dispenser will be installed.
Dispenser refills
Customer-funded dispensers will not be regularly maintained by UBC Facilities. However, a customer-funded service agreement can be made with UBC Facilities by calling the Service Centre (604-822-2173) or submitting a customer-funded Service Request to maintain the additional dispensers.
Customer-funded third-party water dispensing and filtration equipment
Drinking water on the UBC Vancouver campus comes from Metro Vancouver’s water system, and is regularly tested at UBC and by Metro Vancouver to maintain high-quality drinking water on campus.
If a faculty/department would like to order third-party water dispensing and filtration equipment, this order and ongoing maintenance or refills would be customer-funded. Domestic water dispensing and filtration equipment is not preferred by UBC Facilities. Please be aware of the risks associated with installing third-party equipment as this may result in damages, and maintenance and repairs will be the responsibility of the faculty/department.
Requirements for water dispensing and filtration equipment
Current technical guidelines regarding the installation of new domestic water dispensing and filtration equipment (section 2.1.5 of Plumbing Fixtures) must be followed, including:
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- Obtain a UBC Plumbing permit by submitting a customer-funded Service Request.
- Equipment must include a non-testable backflow device.
- Filtration and dispensing devices must be Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved.
- Saddle style valves are not permitted.
Responsibility for the equipment will remain with the departments, including maintenance and any damage from floods on the customer side of the UBC supplied shut off valve.
Installing water dispensing and filtration equipment
Any new or retrofitted water dispensing and filtration equipment supply lines will need to be installed by UBC Facilities to ensure the water supply is protected from backflow and to improve the risk mitigation of future failure.
Submit a customer-funded Service Request through Planon, and your Facilities Manager and Plumber will evaluate your request.
For questions or concerns, please contact your Facilities Manager or the Service Centre 604-822-2173