How are infra-red sensor faucets counted? The ones we installed run as long as someone's hands are under them. I'd think this is considered metered, but it doesn't run for a set time, i.e. 10 seconds like other metered faucets.
Has anyone had the issue before? It kills our water savings, basically making equal to code compliant and costing us a point.
Karen Blust
Green Building ConsultantThe Cadmus Group
124 thumbs up
January 11, 2011 - 8:58 pm
If the infra-red sensor faucet does not have a set cycle or duration, then you are correct in assuming that your design case duration would match the duration of the baseline case. Your project can still attain water savings from the faucet by ensuring that the infra-red sensor faucet has a lower flow rate than the baseline case flow rate.
Jeremy Cressman
VP GM Commercial Business UnitAmerican Standard Brands
21 thumbs up
February 9, 2011 - 8:22 pm
There is a documentation approach to Gallons Per Cycle: if the sensor faucet is equipped with a .5gpm aerator, and the metering cycle is 10 seconds, the flow is .08gpc v. the baseline of .25gpc provided.
This can be calculated by .5gpm / 60 seconds * 10 seconds = .08333 gallons used in each 10 second meter. This selection would contribute a 66% savings towards your case versus baseline and can be a major factor in the entire building's water efficiency calculation.
Metering faucets and sensor-operated metering faucets will have fixed metering timing (or adjustable) depending on model and operation. Choose a suitable duration and flow rate.