ICARELIFE — Selection Guide
How to Choose a Surgical Scrub Sink: Stations, Type & Faucet Selection
A four-step selection logic for contractors and hospital planners — from surgical volume to faucet type — so the specification is right the first time.
Quick Answer
- Choose a surgical scrub sink in four steps: station count → sink type → mounting → faucet.
- Station count follows daily surgical volume: single (<10), double (10–30), triple (30+).
- Slot type for new OR builds; basin type for retrofits with limited space.
- Sensor faucets for clean ORs; manual faucets for budget-sensitive general areas.
Step 1 — Match Station Count to Surgical Volume
The most common specification error is sizing by wall length instead of by scrub-in demand.
| Facility Profile | Daily Surgical Volume | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient / day surgery center | Under 10 procedures | Single station |
| General hospital OR suite | 10–30 procedures | Double station (most specified) |
| Large tertiary hospital | 30+ procedures | Triple station |
| Retrofit, limited space | Any | Single station priority |
Step 2 — Choose Sink Type and Confirm Dimensions
Two basin geometries cover nearly all projects.
Slot type — the new-build standard
A continuous trough basin serving one to three stations. Typical overall footprints: approximately 800 × 600 × 850 mm (single), 1400 × 600 × 850 mm (double), and 2000 × 600 × 850 mm (triple), with basin depth around 300 mm for splash containment.
Basin type — the retrofit answer
A compact individual basin, approximately 700 × 600 × 850 mm, suited to existing scrub rooms where wall length or services cannot accommodate a slot unit.
Step 3 — Select the Mounting Method
Mounting is a structural decision — confirm it before wall construction, not after.
| Method | Best For | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted | New OR construction (mainstream) | Solid brick or reinforced concrete wall |
| Floor-standing | Triple stations, retrofits | Reserved floor drain position |
| Cabinet type | Clinics, wards, public areas | Space for integrated storage |
Scrub Sink Installation Guide: Mounting & Utility Requirements
Full rough-in specifications — water, drainage, power — and the pre-installation coordination checklist.
Step 4 — Sensor Faucet or Manual Faucet
The last decision is the one clinical staff interact with every day.
Choose sensor faucets if:
- The sink serves a clean operating room
- Hands-free operation is required by protocol
- Water consumption reduction is a project goal
- A 220 V power point can be provided at the sink
Choose manual faucets if:
- The sink serves a general clinic or ward area
- Budget is constrained
- Lowest possible failure rate is the priority
- No power supply is available at the location
For clean ORs, sensor faucets with rotating outlets and anti-splash nozzles are the standard recommendation: the outlet adapts to user height, and the petal-pattern flow reduces splash against the basin. Specialty areas have dedicated models — neonatal units, for example, use purpose-designed baby care combos with ergonomically adjusted basin depth and height rather than adapted scrub sinks.
ICARELIFE — Surgical Scrub Sinks
Need help sizing the scrub area for your project?
Send your OR count, daily surgical volume, and floor plan — ICARELIFE's technical team will return a recommended configuration with dimensioned drawings for your coordination set. Single, double, and triple stations available in slot and basin types, with custom dimensions on request.
