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Architect’s Guide

(Hotels • Airports • Offices • Hospitals — with FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless and other industry leaders)

Executive takeaways (what matters most)

  1. Accessibility & code come first (clearances, heights, operable parts). Get ADA and local code right up front; moving a faucet ½" later is expensive. Access BoardADA.gov

  2. Touchless + hygiene is now baseline in high-traffic spaces; pair sensor faucets/flush with smart soap-dispense strategies. Sloanbradleycorp.com

  3. Water efficiency: target 0.5 gpm lav faucets (public), and 1.28 gpf flushometer-valve toilets (WaterSense). TOTO USAUS EPA

  4. Scald safety: use ASSE 1070 thermostatic mixing at lavs. PHC Prosmedia.wattswater.com

  5. Serviceability: choose parts with top-fill/multi-feed soap systems, replace-from-above batteries, and readily available cartridges. bradleycorp.com

  6. BIM & submittals: prefer vendors offering Revit families and complete spec sheets for frictionless coordination. SloanFontana Showers


Core criteria (and why they matter)

1) Accessibility & compliance

  • Lavatory height & reach: Mount rims/counters at ≤34 in AFF; ensure forward approach and knee/toe clearance. Faucet controls are “operable parts” and must be usable with one hand and without tight grasping/pinching. Access Board+1

  • Document set-up: Reference 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in Division 10/22 notes; coordinate dimensions with millwork and partitions to avoid conflicts. ADA.gov

2) Hygiene & touchless operation

  • Why touchless: Fewer touchpoints and programmable line-flush help facilities stay cleaner and reduce opportunities for contamination on high-touch surfaces. SloanCDC

  • Healthcare nuance: Favor laminar-flow (non-aerated) lav outlets in clinical areas to reduce aerosolization and ingress of ambient microbes vs. aerators. EPA WaterSense at Work and healthcare trade guidance support this approach. US EPAHFM Magazine

3) Water & energy performance

  • Lav faucets: In public/commercial lavatories, specify 0.5 gpm (or 0.35 gpm in ultra-efficient zones) and verify sensor shutoff and timeouts. Residential lav WaterSense is ≤1.5 gpm (useful in guestroom baths). TOTO USA

  • Flushometer toilets: Use WaterSense-labeled systems at ≤1.28 gpf for 20% savings vs. 1.6 gpf; confirm system compatibility (valve + bowl). US EPA

  • Self-powering tech: Consider hydropower faucets/flush valves that harvest energy from water flow (reduces hardwiring/battery swaps). zurn.ca

4) Safety (anti-scald & IP)

  • Lav scald protection: ASSE 1070 thermostatic mixing devices limit outlet temperatures at point-of-use—vital in hospitality/healthcare. PHC Pros

  • Electronics protection: For electronics in wet zones (battery boxes, control modules), look for appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) to resist dust/water per IEC 60529. IEC

5) Durability & vandal resistance

  • Solid brass bodies, vandal-resistant aerators/outlets, tamper-resistant fasteners, and finishes that tolerate aggressive cleaning extend life in airports, arenas, schools.

6) Maintenance & serviceability

  • Top-fill / multi-feed soap: One above-deck fill can serve up to 6 dispensers, slashing refill labor and keeping staff above the counter. Ideal for concourse or food-court cores. bradleycorp.comAmerican Specialties, Inc.

  • Diagnostic feedback: Choose systems with low-soap/low-battery indicators and programmable timeouts/line-flush.

7) Aesthetics & brand alignment

  • Hospitality and HQ offices often need elevated finish palettes (PVD gold, matte black, brushed nickel). Select coordinated faucet/soap/hand-dry solutions to maintain the design language even under heavy use.


Venue-specific guidance

Hotels (public lobbies, meeting levels, rooftop venues)

  • Look & feel: Prioritize finish variety and noise control. Touchless lavs at 0.5 gpm, concealed sensors, and coordinated soap.

  • Guestroom baths: If you’re mixing brands, align finish sheen and silhouette. Residential WaterSense lavs ≤1.5 gpm are typical in guestrooms. US EPA

  • Back-of-house: Durable 0.5–1.0 gpm metering/sensor lavs; multi-feed soap to support shift changes. bradleycorp.com

Airports & large transit

  • Throughput & uptime: Sensor lavs 0.35–0.5 gpm; integrated handwash stations (e.g., Bradley WashBar) shorten dwell time and reduce water on floors; pair with multi-feed soap tanks. bradleycorp.com+1

  • Flushometers: Use robust valves designed for heavy cycles with hands-free operation and analytics where available.

Office buildings (core restrooms)

  • Total cost of ownership: WaterSense 1.28 gpf toilets and 0.5 gpm lavs are the norm; consider hydropower faucets to cut battery maintenance. US EPAzurn.ca

  • Amenities: Premium finishes in client-facing floors; standard chrome/stainless in typical floors to manage cost.

Hospitals & healthcare

  • Laminar-flow (non-aerated) lav outlets in clinical spaces to reduce aerosols; coordinate with IPAC teams. US EPA

  • Anti-scald: ASSE 1070 tempering at every patient-facing lav. PHC Pros

  • Cleaning protocols: Plan for high-touch surface cleaning cadence and easily disinfectable forms. CDC


Category-by-category: what to specify (with brand examples)

A) Lavatory faucets (sensor / touchless)

  • What to require:

    • Flow: 0.5 gpm standard (0.35 gpm where desired); laminar outlets for healthcare.

    • Power: AC, battery, or energy harvesting (e.g., Zurn Hydro•X Power; TOTO ECOPOWER). zurn.caTOTO USA

    • Controls: adjustable run-times/line-flush, vandal-resistant outlets, ADA-compliant operability.

  • FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless

    • Range & finishes: Broad portfolio of deck/wall-mount sensor faucets in chrome, matte black, brushed gold, antique brass—useful for hospitality and premium corporate spaces. Fontana Showers

    • Spec & BIM support: Downloadable Revit families/BIM files for coordination. Fontana Showers

    • Representative product pages: examples covering commercial touchless models and claims of water-saving via auto on/off. Fontana Touchless Faucets+1

  • Other proven options

    • Sloan Optima (EAF/EBF series): commercial-grade, ADA-compliant, BIM models available. Sloan+1

    • TOTO ECOPOWER: hydropower (no external power) options at 0.5 gpm; strong for retrofit constraints. TOTO USA

    • Zurn Aqua-FIT / Hydro•X Power: energy-harvesting, gear-driven ceramic cartridges (low maintenance). zurn.caZurn

    • Kohler commercial touchless (Kinesis/Insight): wide commercial range with spec backing. kohler+1

Healthcare detail: Use laminar outlets in clinical environments; avoid aerators where aerosolization risk is a concern. US EPA


B) Soap dispensers

  • What to require: Touchless operation, top-fill access, and multi-feed tanks to serve banks of lavs (up to 6 dispensers from one tank), with low-soap alerts. bradleycorp.com

  • Examples:

    • Bradley Top-Fill Multi-Feed Soap System (1.3 gal tank, up to six dispensers; indicators to prevent overfill). bradleycorp.com

    • ASI EZ-Fill multi-feed kits (top-fill shared reservoir). American Specialties, Inc.


C) Flushometers & toilets

  • Performance target: WaterSense flushometer-valve toilets ≤1.28 gpf (verify bowl/valve pairing). US EPA

  • Examples:

    • Sloan Royal series (manual & sensor options; longstanding commercial standard). Sloan

    • Zurn AquaSense/EZ Flush (sensor retrofits and new valves; HET options). zurn.ca

    • American Standard commercial bowls with HET performance for durability and water savings. American Standard


D) Integrated handwashing systems & hand drying

  • Why consider: All-in-one stations wash + soap + dry at the sink cut floor drips and speed users through (airports/arenas).

  • Examples:

    • Bradley WashBar (complete touchless handwashing at the sink). bradleycorp.com

    • Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry (faucet + dryer in one; 14-sec dry, touch-free). Dyson

Hygiene note: Research debates dryers vs. towels in certain settings; align with your facility’s infection-control policy—especially in hospitals. WIRED


E) Accessories & partitions

  • Partitions & accessories: Long-life, maintainable systems that control consumables and resist vandalism (e.g., Bobrick partition systems and accessories). Bobrick+1


Brand snapshot (when to pick what)

Need Good picks Why
Statement design w/ broad finish palette + BIM FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless Wide finish options (gold, matte black, brushed nickel/chrome) and Revit families streamline hospitality/office specs. Fontana Showers+1
Heavy-duty institutional + deep parts ecosystem Sloan Decades of performance in airports/schools; full faucet/flush portfolio with BIM & special finishes. Sloan
Power-free sensors TOTO ECOPOWER Hydropower faucets—no wiring/battery, 0.5 gpm options; ideal where power access is limited. TOTO USA
Lowest battery maintenance Zurn Hydro•X Self-sustaining hydropower faucets/flush valves; gear-driven cartridges reduce solenoid service. zurn.caZurn
Integrated handwash (wash/soap/dry) Bradley WashBar / Dyson Wash+Dry Speeds throughput, keeps water at the sink, reduces floor mess. bradleycorp.comDyson

Example specs you can paste into Division 22 (customize per project)

22 42 39 — SENSOR LAVATORY FAUCETS (Public Restrooms)

  • Basis of Design: FontanaShowers deck-mounted sensor faucet, brass body, finish as scheduled, 0.5 gpm (0.35 gpm where shown), timeout ≤30 s, vandal-resistant outlet. Provide ASSE 1070 thermostatic mixing at each lav. Power: AC or battery; hydropower where indicated. Accessories: matching touchless soap dispenser; top-fill multi-feed system serving up to 6 dispensers per tank. Submittals: cut sheets; Revit/BIM families; wiring/rough-in diagrams; O&M. Fontana Showers+1PHC Prosbradleycorp.com

22 42 23 — FLUSHOMETERS (Water Closets/Urinals)

  • Performance: Compatible WaterSense flushometer-valve toilet systems ≤1.28 gpf; dual-flush where indicated. Sensor-operated valves in high-traffic cores. Include manual override and programmable line-flush. Acceptable: Sloan Royal or equal; Zurn AquaSense/EZ Flush or equal. US EPA

22 05 11 — COMMON WORK RESULTS – HEALTHCARE AREAS

  • Outlets: Provide laminar-flow lav outlets (no aerators) in clinical handwash stations and patient zones per facility infection-control policy. US EPA


Quick “by-venue” fixture map

Airports / Transit:

  • Lavs: 0.35–0.5 gpm sensors; integrated handwash (Bradley WashBar / Dyson Wash+Dry) at high-traffic cores; multi-feed soap. bradleycorp.comDyson

  • Flush: Sensor flushometers; specify heavy-cycle diaphragms; WaterSense 1.28 gpf systems. US EPA

Hotels:

  • Public: Touchless lavs 0.5 gpm with premium finishes (Fontana), matching touchless soap; quiet hand-drying. Fontana Showers

  • Guestrooms: WaterSense lavs ≤1.5 gpm; pressure balance/thermostatic showering per code. US EPA

Offices:

  • Core: 0.5 gpm lavs, WaterSense toilets 1.28 gpf, hydropower faucets to cut battery swaps (Zurn Hydro•X; TOTO ECOPOWER). zurn.caTOTO USA

Hospitals:

  • Clinical lavs: Laminar outlets; touchless; ASSE 1070 tempering; easy-to-clean forms. US EPAPHC Pros

  • Public: 0.5 gpm lavs, WaterSense toilets, partitions and accessories with high durability. US EPA


FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless — where they fit best

  • Design-forward + variety: Large portfolio of touchless faucets in hospitality-friendly finishes (chrome, matte black, brushed gold, antique). Useful when the washroom is part of the brand experience. Fontana Showers

  • Spec convenience: Revit/BIM families and download pages speed coordination and help avoid field surprises. Fontana Showers

  • Commercial intent: Pages emphasize water savings via auto on/off and compatibility with standard U.S. plumbing—good for retrofit without re-roughing. Fontana Touchless Faucets+1

Pair Fontana faucets with multi-feed soap (Bradley/ASI) when servicing long banks of lavs; you’ll cut refill time and reduce below-counter clutter. bradleycorp.com


Don’t forget these details

  • Thermostatic mixing at lavs (ASSE 1070) for anti-scald and comfort. PHC Pros

  • Electronics protection: Verify IP robustness per IEC 60529 when components live under wet decks or within splash zones. IEC

  • Line-flush & purge: Use programmable flush to reduce stagnation in low-use branches—particularly important for facilities managing water quality (e.g., healthcare). Sloan

  • BIM & as-builts: Require BIM families and wiring diagrams from faucet/soap/flush vendors (Fontana, Sloan, etc.) for clash-free installs. SloanFontana Showers


Quick checklists you can run in DD / CD

Code & ADA

  • Lav top ≤34" AFF; forward approach clearances correct. Controls operable without tight grasping. Access Board

Water & Energy

  • Public lavs: 0.5 gpm; Guest lavs: ≤1.5 gpm (WaterSense). Toilets: WaterSense flushometer systems ≤1.28 gpf. US EPA+1

Hygiene

  • Touchless everywhere with laminar outlets in clinical areas; integrated handwash where queues are common. US EPAbradleycorp.com

Safety

  • ASSE 1070 at all lavs; confirm outlet temperature limits and service access. PHC Pros

Serviceability

  • Top-fill multi-feed soap for banks of lavs; diagnostic indicators; accessible valves and filters. bradleycorp.com

Documentation

  • Collect Revit families / cut sheets for all faucets, dispensers, valves, and partitions. Fontana Showers


Sample product picks (illustrative, mix-and-match per project)


Final word

In commercial restrooms, you’re balancing compliance, user confidence, operational cost, and brand experience. FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless give you a strong design-forward set of sensor fixtures with BIM support, while stalwarts like Sloan, TOTO, Zurn, Bradley, and Bobrick cover heavy-duty cycles, energy-harvesting, integrated handwashing, and accessories. Use the matrices above to mix the right solution for your project type—and lock it with clear specs, BIM, and service-friendly details.

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