Forum discussion
CS-2009 WEp1: Water Use Reduction
Has anyone experience with the documentation of adjustable flowrates?
Some fixtures like faucets and showerheads can be adjusted to a lower flowrate, however the spec sheet only shows a range.
Will the USBC accept the minimum flowrate if I claim that the fixture has been adjusted to it?
Thanks a lot in advance
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 7, 2010 - 10:22 pm
I think this is unlikely to be accepted, on the basis that the fixture could easily be adjusted to the higher rate by an occupant or maintenance person.
Sam Keehn
Environmental and Sustainability ManagerEnergy Management Services, Int.
73 thumbs up
March 3, 2011 - 3:24 am
We are running into this issue a lot. Tristan, I appreciate your comment and logically think this is correct but was wondering if anyone had anything explicitly confirming or denying this approach. Our client is really pushing us on this right now and I can't find anything solid to base my response on. Logic isn't enough for him.
Thanks again.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
March 11, 2011 - 6:32 pm
Will occupants be able to adjust the fixture to the higher flow rate? If that's possible, it's likely—and I really, really doubt that USGBC would accept the lower flow rate. I"ll see if anyone else has experience on this, though.
Karen Blust
Green Building ConsultantThe Cadmus Group
124 thumbs up
March 21, 2011 - 2:03 am
There is no specific guidance published by the USGBC related to adjustable volume flow rates. I would agree with Tristan in that the lower flow rate would not be accepted by the GBCI. The GBCI/USGBC typically goes with the worst-case scenario in cases where ranges are provided. As such, if you submit an adjustable flow rate fixture, you’ll have to input the highest flow rate in your water use calculation.