flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

White paper explores low-flow toilets’ impact on drain lines, clogs

Engineers

White paper explores low-flow toilets’ impact on drain lines, clogs

The research 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.


By Contributing Editors | July 12, 2015
White paper explores low-flow toilets’ impact on drain lines

Photo: Sloan Valve

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

Resiliency | Sep 25, 2023

National Institute of Building Sciences, Fannie Mae release roadmap for resilience

The National Institute of Building Sciences and Fannie Mae have released the Resilience Incentivization Roadmap 2.0. The document is intended to guide mitigation investment to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

Data Centers | Sep 21, 2023

North American data center construction rises 25% to record high in first half of 2023, driven by growth of artificial intelligence

CBRE’s latest North American Data Center Trends Report found there is 2,287.6 megawatts (MW) of data center supply currently under construction in primary markets, reaching a new all-time high with more than 70% already preleased. 

Giants 400 | Sep 20, 2023

Top 75 Hospitality Facility Engineering Firms for 2023

Jacobs, IMEG, EXP, and Tetra Tech top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest hospitality facilities sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all hospitality facilities work, including casinos, hotels, and resorts. 

Giants 400 | Sep 18, 2023

Top 90 Office Building Engineering Firms for 2023

Jacobs, WSP, Alfa Tech, and AECOM head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest office building sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all office building work, including core and shell projects and workplace/interior fitouts.   

Adaptive Reuse | Sep 15, 2023

Salt Lake City’s Frank E. Moss U.S. Courthouse will transform into a modern workplace for federal agencies

In downtown Salt Lake City, the Frank E. Moss U.S. Courthouse is being transformed into a modern workplace for about a dozen federal agencies. By providing offices for agencies previously housed elsewhere, the adaptive reuse project is expected to realize an annual savings for the federal government of up to $6 million in lease costs.

Data Centers | Sep 15, 2023

Power constraints are restricting data center market growth

There is record global demand for new data centers, but availability of power is hampering market growth. That’s one of the key findings from a new CBRE report: Global Data Center Trends 2023.

Engineers | Sep 15, 2023

NIST investigation of Champlain Towers South collapse indicates no sinkhole

Investigators from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) say they have found no evidence of underground voids on the site of the Champlain Towers South collapse, according to a new NIST report. The team of investigators have studied the site’s subsurface conditions to determine if sinkholes or excessive settling of the pile foundations might have caused the collapse. 

Office Buildings | Sep 14, 2023

New York office revamp by Kohn Pedersen Fox features new façade raising occupant comfort, reducing energy use

The modernization of a mid-century Midtown Manhattan office tower features a new façade intended to improve occupant comfort and reduce energy consumption. The building, at 666 Fifth Avenue, was originally designed by Carson & Lundin. First opened in November 1957 when it was considered cutting-edge, the original façade of the 500-foot-tall modernist skyscraper was highly inefficient by today’s energy efficiency standards.

Healthcare Facilities | Sep 13, 2023

Florida’s first freestanding academic medical behavioral health hospital breaks ground in Tampa Bay

Construction kicked off recently on TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, Florida’s first freestanding academic medical behavioral health hospital. The joint venture partnership between Tampa General (a 1,040-bed facility) and Lifepoint Behavioral Health will provide a full range of inpatient and outpatient care in specialized units for pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics, and fills a glaring medical need in the area.

Giants 400 | Sep 12, 2023

Top 75 Retail Sector Engineering and Engineering Architecture (EA) Firms for 2023

Kimley-Horn, Henderson Engineers, Jacobs, and EXP head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest retail building engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all retail buildings work, including big box stores, cineplexes, entertainment centers, malls, restaurants, strip centers, and theme parks. 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Curtain Wall

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021