FlushMate IV

Toilets represent a significant portion of the potable water consumption in most commercial buildings, so the possibilities for savings in both new installations and replacements are huge. There have been improvements to the tank-type gravity system, and commercial water-pressure-based blow-out toilets as well as pressure- and vacuum-assisted flushing systems have been developed that offer superior performance in commercial applications. Commercial toilets include flushometer toilets.

All commercial toilets sold in the United States must meet the 1.6 gallon per flush federal standard.

The EPA WaterSense High Efficiency Toilet (HET) specification sets a higher bar, and although WaterSense is directed at residential toilets, it is frequently used for commercial toilets, as well, and encompasses the following aspects of performance:

1. Flush volume – no more than 1.28 gallons per flush




2. Flushing performance – minimum 350 grams per the Maximum Performance (MaP) test




3. Fill valve – pilot valve type or equivalent performance




4. Tank capacity – maximum holding volumes for tanks (with quantities determined by tank and flush type)




5. Product marking – labeling and installation instructions that uphold the above criteria

Dual-flush toilets comply with WaterSense by making two flushes available: one for solid wastes and a lower-volume flush for liquids and paper. For dual-flush toilets, WaterSense accounts for water savings by averaging the high and low volume flush levels: two reduced flushes and one full flush cannot average more than 1.28 gallons per flush.

Note that commercial toilets may have different flushometer options. Dual-flush flushometer valves offer similar performance for standard commercial blow-out toilets, and many flushometers include sensors that improve sanitation by triggering the flush.

GreenSpec lists commercial toilets that meet WaterSense criteria for flushing volume and are able to flush 500 grams per the MaP test, exceeding WaterSense criteria. GreenSpec users, however, should be aware of the limitations of the WaterSense criteria. MaP Test results many times higher than the 350 g minimum are possible but may come at the expense of other bowl-clearing aspects of performance, such as:

• Floating or dissolved media clearance




• Rim clearing




• Water spot




• Back wall clearance

To the extent possible, GreenSpec considers these other aspects of performance qualitatively (as GreenSpec users should as well) because no other publicly available standards are available.

Also, be aware that in certain buildings—especially existing buildings—long horizontal drainline runs or low slopes may result in clogging with the lowest-flow toilets, due to inability to carry wastes.