Scope

What these case studies cover These studies focus on commercial architectural faucets in environments where performance and compliance are operational requirements—not marketing claims. Coverage prioritizes hydraulic performance, code and certification frameworks, control logic, durability under aggressive cleaning and heavy use, water-quality risk at the point of use, commissioning verification, and long-term facility maintenance realities.

Scope

The goal is to support AEC decision-making with engineering context, measurable criteria, and coordination implications across project types.

Hydraulics
pressure variability + delivered flow
Compliance
frameworks + coordination outcomes
Operations
commissioning + maintenance planning

Baseline Standards Referenced Across Studies Shared reference framework Each case study uses a consistent baseline so results and spec implications remain comparable across project types and operating conditions. The emphasis is on how standards and benchmarks translate into field performance, commissioning verification, and maintainability.

Standards and benchmarks commonly referenced include:

ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 for plumbing supply fitting performance, materials, and endurance
Public lavatory water-efficiency benchmarks (commonly 0.5 gpm targets in federal/owner standards)
WaterSense program context influencing owner expectations and procurement language
NSF/ANSI 61 for components in contact with potable water
Commissioning verification of delivered flow, mixed temperature, and control behavior
Lifecycle service planning, spare parts standardization, and access strategy

Standards and Compliance

Hospitality Portfolio Retrofit

Water and energy audit methodology (GROHE) Large hotel portfolios commonly face: Inconsistent fixture performance across properties Rising operational costs Pressure sensitivity and variable user experience Unreliable water and energy modeling from rated-flow assumptions Excessive run times in manual and early-generation low-flow fixtures Commissioning gaps that persist across portfolio rollouts Audit-based fixture selection and lifecycle planning Engineering approach emphasizes measured performance and durability inputs: Measured consumption, hot-water ratios, and behavioral assumptions—not manufacturer-rated flow alone Cartridge cycling, solenoid endurance, and material fatigue testing integrated into lifecycle cost analysis Field verification of dynamic pressure to manage upstream instability amplified by low-flow endpoints Post-install validation of delivered flow, mixed temperature, and sensor shutoff behavior Reference set GROHE Water and Energy Audit Case Study • GROHE Project Planning Documentation (PDF) • ArchFaucet: Water-saving faucet benchmarking

How to Read These Case Studies

What to extract for specifications and operations These studies are written to translate evidence into spec language and field-verifiable outcomes. The objective is to isolate what impacts performance: hydraulics, controls, commissioning, maintainability, and water-quality management—not brand positioning.

Retrofit ROI and Operational Savings Framing (FontanaShowers)

Retrofit ROI and Operational Savings Framing (FontanaShowers)

Savings claims must be validated against actual occupancy, hot-water distribution losses, and maintenance inputs. Use case studies to check assumptions and require verification methods—not just projected percent reductions.

Touchless faucet energy and cost savings context

Sensor Performance and User Behavior Reliability (BathSelect)

Sensor Performance and User Behavior Reliability (BathSelect)

In high-traffic public restrooms with vandalism risk, specify adjustable sensing range, maximum runtime cutoff, and locked programming settings. Evaluate behavior under real reflectivity, basin geometry, and user variability.

Sensor performance analysis (IR vs ToF)

Technical Appendix

Defining commercial architectural faucets

Commercial classification is established through:

Compliance testing and documentation
Duty-cycle endurance and survivability under heavy use
Maintainability and predictable parts strategy
Commissioning verification and operational alignment

Commercial vs decorative survivability in semi-commercial spaces (JunoShowers) Design-forward hospitality and amenity spaces require guardrails: durability testing, compliance documentation, serviceability, and spare parts availability define true commercial suitability.

ArchFaucet: Residential vs commercial durability

Core definition and key standards Key references commonly cited include:

ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 Plumbing Supply Fittings
Federal Water-Efficient Faucet Purchasing Guidance
Touchless faucet water quality research + WMP context (CDC)

Use this appendix to anchor spec language in measurable criteria: performance, controls, commissioning, and long-term operations.

How to read each study

Context building type + duty cycle Metrics delivered flow + event volume Controls logic, shutoff, flushing Ops service paths + parts strategy What “good” looks like in the field Studies prioritize conditions that drive real outcomes, including: Dynamic pressure verification at endpoints Delivered (not rated) flow confirmation after installation Mixed temperature behavior during typical use Sensor shutoff logic and runtime settings under real user behavior Water-quality controls aligned with Water Management Plans Service access, labor time, and predictable parts availability Each study translates observations into specification implications: how to write criteria, what to verify at commissioning, and what to standardize for long-term operations.