Building conditions must be factored into any specification or application of plumbing systems to assure proper performance, according to a new white paper from Sloan Valve Company.
The document evaluates the findings of the PERC I (The Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition) study: “Down the Drain.” The PERC I study sought to learn how drain lines react to the use of low-flow, high-efficiency toilets. It found that certain variables: toilet paper—along with the pipe slope and flush volume—are key variables in determining whether drain lines might be predisposed to clog.
The white paper reviews the results in relationship to real-life building conditions in the United States. Sloan strongly recommends an onsite visit by a plumbing engineer as part of any retrofit project. Such a hands-on survey of the building's entire plumbing system can help identify potential issues and affect the outcome for the best possible solutions, which may not support ultra-low water flows.
The white paper aims to help determine if low-flow flushometers are suited for particular restroom environments.
Related Stories
Building Tech | Apr 12, 2016
Should we be worried about a tech slowdown?
Is the U.S. in an innovative funk, or is this just the calm before the storm?
Green | Apr 4, 2016
AIA report analyzes 20 years of the best green projects
"Lessons from the Leading Edge" is a study of the 200 Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Award winning projects since 1997.
Engineers | Mar 31, 2016
Stantec expands into water infrastructure with acquisition of MWH Global
The combination would boost Stantec’s revenue by nearly 60% and its workforce by 45%.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 11, 2016
Report: Hospitals’ fossil fuel use trending downward, but electricity consumption hardly declining
A new survey from engineering firm Grumman/Butkus Associates examines electricity, fossil fuel, water/sewer, and carbon footprint of healthcare facilities.
Engineers | Mar 10, 2016
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff to open Los Angeles office
The new office will specialize in building enclosure engineering.
Engineers | Mar 8, 2016
New Toronto office is Thornton Tomasetti's first in Canada
The global engineering firm already has a history of working with Canadian architects and developers.
Architects | Feb 24, 2016
Is the booming freelance economy a threat to AEC firms?
By shifting the work (and revenue) to freelancers, “platform capitalism” startups have taken considerable market share from traditional businesses.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 29, 2016
Understanding the value of physical due diligence
Physical inspections can range widely by discipline, level of detail, and the resulting deliverable, leaving even seasoned industry veterans unsure of when assessments make sense. Wiss, Janney, Elstner’s Ross Smith sheds light on building condition assessments.
| Jan 28, 2016
AIA CES class: The rainscreen approach to a better building envelope
Building envelope expert Bradley Carmichael of Hoffmann Architects explains how rainscreen wall systems work and evaluates the effectiveness of various rain-control methods, including mass walls, perfect barriers, and masonry veneers. This AIA/CES class is worth 1.0 learning unit.
Architects | Jan 28, 2016
2015 was a record year for mergers and acquisitions in the AE industry [infographic]
Consulting firm Morrissey Goodale tracked a record 234 sales of U.S.-based A/E firms last year.