ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Six toilets at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands have just received six stars from the Restroom Association of Singapore.

They are the first washrooms to receive the six-star rating since it was introduced by the association in 2014.

Under the grading system, six-star toilets need to use smart technology and employ cleaners who have completed a Workforce Skills Qualification module in washroom cleaning. They are also expected to offer "special delights, user-friendliness and/or eco-friendly facilities", according to the association.

Six-star toilets must be odour and litter-free and have a reasonably dry floor as well as being in good working order. And they must provide basic amenities such as soap and toilet paper.

The Marina Bay Sands toilets feature a detector that measures the level of ammonia in the air, plus tablets that allow users to provide real-time feedback. When odour levels exceed a certain threshold or when negative feedback is given, a text message to that effect is sent to the cleaners so that the problem can be addressed without delay.

Established in 1998, the Restroom Association of Singapore aims to raise washroom standards in the country and offers various award schemes as well as on-site training for washroom cleaners. All rating schemes are reviewed on an annual basis.

Association president Tan Puay Hoon is confident that the inclusion of technological solutions in the criteria will lead to better standards and higher quality facilities. "We also hope that it will encourage other toilet owners to implement tech solutions to help manage their resources and manpower more effectively," she said.