To receive all of the WEc2 points available, our project needs to install 1.0 gpm shower heads. However, building management has found one they like - a tri-setting model from Niagara where the user can set the flow to 0.5 (for soaping), 1.0 (for showering), or 1.5 gpm (powerful rinse mode). Once installed we would leave them all set to the 1.0 setting.
I'm not sue how many people would know to try to twist the shower head to increase/decrease flow, but how to I count this in my form? Do I have to assume worst-case 1.5 gpm? Can I assume 1.0 gpm as an average?
In theory this shower head could use even less than 1.0 but I'd like to avoid a lengthy back and forth with the reviewers trying to speculate how many people using the 6 showers in the gym of our million + sq ft project will change the flow.
Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
456 thumbs up
December 21, 2016 - 6:49 pm
This is a tricky situation. I could see GBCI requesting that you use the worst-case flow rate in the calculation, but I understand your point that occupants are likely to use the setting that you leave it at. I think you could try using a 1.0 gpm in the calculations and highlight that flow rate on the cut sheet. You could also include a narrative saying that you'll set all showers to 1.0 gpm at installation. I can't predict whether GBCI will accept this or push back, so let us know how it goes!