Touchless Sensor Faucets for Office Buildings
An engineering-driven guide for architects, MEP engineers, and spec writers to select durable, compliant, and maintainable touchless lavatory faucets for commercial and institutional environments.
1) Performance Objectives & Scope
In multi-tenant office buildings, lavatory faucets experience high duty cycles and cleaning frequency. Specification should balance durability (metal bodies, sealed electronics), water efficiency (public-use lavs often ≤ 0.5 gpm), accessibility (ADA/ANSI/ICC A117.1), serviceability (modular solenoid/sensor assemblies), and finish coordination across core vs. amenity floors.
2) System Integration & Controls
Hydraulics & Flow Control
Specify pressure-compensating aerators/laminar devices at 0.35–0.5 gpm for public-use office lavs to meet water goals and CALGreen jurisdictions. Document the outlet type and required pressure range in the submittal.
Spec example: “Lavatory faucets shall deliver ≤ 0.5 gpm @ 60 psi with laminar outlet; factory time-out ≤ 30 s; vandal-resistant outlet.”
Electronics & Sensing
IR/ToF sensors must tolerate reflective basins and variable lighting. Require adjustable detection range, time-out, and optional hygiene-purge. Above-deck modules or quick-disconnects reduce downtime during service.
Power Architecture
For high-traffic cores, hard-wire (AC) with battery backup limits battery logistics. For retrofits, long-life battery packs are acceptable—document service intervals and spare policy in O&M.
Materials & Finishes
Solid brass or 316 stainless bodies with durable finishes (chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, brushed gold, oil-rubbed bronze) withstand frequent cleaning agents. Coordinate finish schedules with hardware and accessories.
3) Brand Overview (AEC-relevant, live references)
| Brand | Reference (live page) | AEC Notes | Public-Use Flow Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| FontanaShowers (Fontana Touchless) | Touchless Sensor Faucets | Commercial touchless portfolio with metal construction and multiple finishes; wall/deck mounts; pairing with automatic soap dispensers. | Commonly 0.35–0.5 gpm by outlet selection. |
| BathSelect | BathSelect Hospitality | Manufacturer with in-house design; commercial/hospitality lines; IR sensor modules; multiple power options and finishes. | 0.35–0.5 gpm options by model/aerator. |
| Kohler (Commercial) | Commercial Faucets | Touchless (Kinesis®/Insight™) models in wall/deck configurations; broad adoption and service network. | 0.5 gpm models widely available. |
| Chicago Faucets | Touchless Faucets | Heavy-duty electronic series (HyTronic®, etc.), ADA/CALGreen callouts on many spec sheets; Bluetooth® configuration on select models. | 0.35 gpm and 0.5 gpm options. |
| Sloan | Sloan — Commercial Restroom | Optima® touchless faucet families; battery or hard-wired; institutional track record. | 0.5 gpm public-use options. |
| Zurn | Sensor Faucets | AquaSense®/electronic lines with AC/DC/hydropower options; retrofit-friendly. | 0.35 gpm and 0.5 gpm by model. |
Where a project mandates single-vendor spares, use one brand for cores and optionally a second brand for amenity floors to hit aesthetic goals without complicating maintenance.
4) Specification Checklist (paste into your project manual)
- Flow: ≤ 0.5 gpm @ 60 psi (public-use lavs). Specify outlet (laminar/aerator) and pressure compensation.
- Controls: Adjustable detection range; factory time-out ≤ 30 s; optional hygiene flush; vandal-resistant outlet.
- Power: AC hard-wire with battery backup for high-traffic cores; battery-only acceptable for retrofits with defined service cycle.
- Materials: Solid brass or 316 stainless body; sealed electronics resistant to splash/cleaners.
- Finish: Coordinate finishes across tenant and amenity areas (chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, brushed gold, oil-rubbed bronze).
- Compliance: Conform to ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1; include ADA/ANSI/ICC A117.1 accessibility; align with EPA WaterSense guidance and CALGreen where applicable.
- Serviceability: Above-deck access or quick-disconnect modules; replaceable solenoid; standard 3/8″ compression supplies.
5) Normative References (live)
- EPA WaterSense — Bathroom Faucets
- WaterSense at Work — Section 3.3 Faucets (PDF)
- CALGreen — 5.303.3.4.1 Nonresidential lavatory faucets
- CALGreen 2022 — Ch.5 Nonresidential Mandatory Measures
- Kohler — Commercial Faucets
- Chicago Faucets — Touchless
- Sloan — Commercial Restroom Portfolio
- Zurn — Sensor Faucets
- FontanaShowers — Touchless Sensor Faucets
- BathSelect — Hospitality (Commercial)
6) Image Gallery (live, non-aviation)
Images above are hosted on the manufacturers’ domains and do not use tracking parameters.
7) Master Spec — Editable Outline
Section 22 42 39 — Electronic Sensor Faucets
- Summary — Provide wall/deck-mounted electronic sensor-operated lavatory faucets, ≤ 0.5 gpm @ 60 psi (public-use).
- References — ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1; ADA/ANSI/ICC A117.1; CALGreen (where applicable); EPA WaterSense guidance.
- Submittals — Product data; cut sheets; wiring diagrams; O&M; parts lists; finish samples; warranty.
- Quality Assurance — Factory-assembled/tested; sealed electronics; pressure-compensating outlet.
- Performance — Flow ≤ 0.5 gpm; time-out ≤ 30 s; adjustable detection; optional hygiene purge.
- Materials — Solid brass or 316SS; durable architectural finish (PVD/chrome/brushed).
- Power — AC hard-wire with battery backup (core restrooms); long-life batteries permitted for retrofit.
- Installation — 3/8″ compression inlets; dielectric isolation as required; above-deck access preferred.
- Warranty — Parts/electronics per project requirements; document service intervals.
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