flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

‘Safe bathroom’ technology prevents fatal drug overdoses in public restrooms

Retail Centers

‘Safe bathroom’ technology prevents fatal drug overdoses in public restrooms

An alert system based on motion-sensors prevents deaths in commercial restrooms.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | February 4, 2024
Photo by Max Rahubovskiy, Pexels
Photo by Max Rahubovskiy, Pexels

‘Safe bathroom’ technology developed by a Massachusetts electrician has been proven to prevent fatal drug overdoses in public restrooms across the country.

The systems use ultrasonic and infrared motion sensors connected to timers that detect slight body movements. When a system doesn’t sense motion within a set time period, it raises an alarm alerting emergency medical teams, according to a Boston Globe report.

To date, the systems have been installed primarily in medical settings and homeless shelters but could be added to any public restroom. The state of Rhode Island has ordered the systems for deployment at “hot spots” for overdoses.

The technology has averted more than 3,500 potentially deadly overdoses, according to the developer. Not a single person has died from an overdose after alarms have been triggered, he says.

Related Stories

Retail Centers | Mar 19, 2019

Porsche’s next-gen showroom prototype opens in Palm Springs, Ca.

The dealership is the first to showcase Porsche’s new design philosophy, ‘Destination Porsche.’

Retail Centers | Dec 3, 2018

Biotrack your shop

Sabrina Hilfer, a specialty retail designer, talks about the integration of biometrics in the retailscape. 

Retail Centers | Nov 8, 2018

The Container Store moves into the next generation courtesy FRCH Design Worldwide

The next-gen prototype is located in Dallas, Texas.

Retail Centers | Oct 22, 2018

Stuck in the middle: What can save the average American mall?

Erich Dohrer doesn’t want to talk about the “dead mall” or the great mall success story—he wants to talk about design solutions for the ones that are just getting by.

Retail Centers | Oct 9, 2018

Kengo Kuma designs Taipei Starbucks from 29 shipping containers

The store will be part of a new shopping mall.

Retail Centers | Sep 27, 2018

Turkish bazaar takes the shape of the surrounding mountains

The project is designed by PDG Architects and ANTEPE.

Retail Centers | Sep 26, 2018

The future of travel retail

Kevin Horn and Shirley Cheng explore how a new generation of travelers is disrupting airport retail.

Retail Centers | Sep 20, 2018

BIG designs ‘restaurant village’ just outside of Copenhagen

The restaurant comprises 11 spaces, each with their own unique function.

Retail Centers | Sep 17, 2018

Iteration vs disruption: Designing for a great customer experience

One way to solve for the future is to disrupt the expected.

Mixed-Use | Sep 14, 2018

Six-story structure combines a parking garage with street-level retail

Eskew+Dumez+Ripple designed the structure.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

3D Printing

3D-printed construction milestones take shape in Tennessee and Texas

Two notable 3D-printed projects mark milestones in the new construction technique of “printing” structures with specialized concrete. In Athens, Tennessee, Walmart hired Alquist 3D to build a 20-foot-high store expansion, one of the largest freestanding 3D-printed commercial concrete structures in the U.S. In Marfa, Texas, the world’s first 3D-printed hotel is under construction at an existing hotel and campground site.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021