the same codes and standards, all of which set the maxi- mum water use at 0.25 gallons per cycle (.94 L). That is, the “On-Off” cycle (or time during which the faucet is on) cannot result in a total flow in excess of 0.25 gallons (.94 L) of water. Source: The Alliance for Water Efficiency.
Comparison of Plumbing Fixture Maximum Water-Flow Rates
Plumbing Fixture
Before 1992 EPA 1992 Current
Water Closet 4 to 7 gpf Urinal Faucet
1.6 gpf 3.5 to 5 gpf 1.0 gpf
Plumbing Codes 1.6 gpf 1.0 gpf
5 to 7 gpm 2.5 gpm 0.5 gpm* Showerhead 4.5 to 8 gpm 2.5 gpm 2.5 gpm
* = Commercial Projects Source: Domestic Water Conservation Technologies,
Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
85% 20%
Facial coverage than other
eye/facewashes Better protection
Figure 1 – Photo of Water collected during the flow test No Aerator Green - Water
3 GPM
Conservation Aerator 2.9 GPM
Original Aerator 1.5 GPM
It appears that many products out there allow more
water than specified in the codes and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and that they do not save water at all, although they are being heavily marketed as water con- servation products. Buyer beware! n
Ron George is president of Ron George Design &
Consulting Services. He has served as Chairman of the International Residential Plumbing & Mechanical Code Committee. To contact Ron, write him at rgdc@ron
georgedesign.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not reflect those of Plumbing Engineer nor its publisher, TMB Publishing.
Plumbing Engineer Circle 13 on Reader Reply Form on page 38 February 2011/Page 21
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