How to Specify Touchless Faucets and Soap Dispensers in Bid Documents and Architectural Plans
Touchless is the standard for today's high-traffic restrooms. They reduce water and soap waste, improve sanitation, and cut callbacks—commercial building, hotel, airport, healthcare, higher-ed, and civic facility hallmarks. Realizing those benefits consistently, however, depends on rigorous specs and hassle-free coordination among architectural, MEP, and construction documents. This guide walks you step-by-step through what to include in your bid package and drawings, how to write Division 22 language that actually defends performance, and where to find BIM content you can add to your model today. A field-tested MEP checklist is included at the end.
Include performance metrics such as demand flow (gpm), sensor activation range, and operating pressure range tested at both 45 psi and 60 psi to ensure consistent touchless activation and compliance with ADA and WaterSense standards. Cite BIM parameters and specify compatibility with multi-feed soap systems to reduce callbacks, lower water/soap waste, and improve lifecycle cost modeling for high-traffic commercial restrooms.
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Final Word
Well-written Division 22 sections, coordinated plans, and current BIM families are touchless from buzzword to measurable outcomes: lower utility bills, faster cleaning, fewer callbacks, and healthier bathrooms. Reference the following sample spec language, refer to current Revit content, and implement the checklist at each stage of design. Your bidders will price apples-to-apples, your owner will get what they paid for, and your users will benefit from the sleek "wave-and-wash" experience they've grown to expect.
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Why Touchless is Significant for Large-Scale Bathrooms
Drawing Set & Model—What Goes Where
Architectural sheets (A-series)
Plan & elevations. Show fixture quantities, mounting points, ADA clearances, and accessories alignment (mirror, deck soap, hand dryer).
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Sections/details
Refer to countertop holes, escutcheon sizes, spout reach, under-counter clearances for soap reservoirs, and service access panels.
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Schedules
Employ unique Fixture IDs (e.g., F-401 for faucet, SD-302 for soap dispenser) with cross-references to spec section and keynote.
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MEP sheets (P-series, E-series)
Plumbing plans/schematics. Identify hot/cold feeds, mixing valves or tempering plans, and pressure/flow assumptions.
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Riser diagrams
Show groups with common multi-feed soap systems and power distribution.
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Electrical
Provide dedicated circuits and transformers for hard-wired sensors; locate power supplies above splash zones.
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BIM content & parameters
BIM content & parameters
Use manufacturer Revit families with instance parameters for flow (L/min or gpm), run-time, sensor range, power type, L/R hand reach, and rough-in dimensions.
Tip: Have a BIM Content Register in your model (shared parameter) to track source URL, version, and date last updated. It saves hours of review on submittals.
Touch faucets typically fall within Division 22 42 00—Plumbing Fixtures (or a nearest sub-section such as 22 42 39 Commercial Faucets). Soap dispensers typically fall under Division 10 28 00—Toilet, Bath, and Laundry Accessories.
Most groups, however, stick deck-mounted or multi-feed soap systems with the faucets in Division 22 to cluster MEP coordination.
The below example shows a cross-department Division 22 approach for both, which adds a clarifying sentence.
Sample CSI Division 22 Spec Language (Editable Template)
Section 22 42 39 – PART 1 – GENERAL
Summary: Provide sensor-operated lavatory faucets including spouts, solenoid valves, power sources, mixing/tempering equipment, and accessories required for a complete functional system.
ID, Manufacturer/Model, Mount type, Flow rate, Run-time, Sensor range, Power, Finish, Mixing valve type, ADA notes, Soap type, Accessories.
Keynoting example
K-22-FCT-01: Sensor lavatory faucet, 0.5 gpm, hybrid power, chrome, TMV under-counter.\A\A K-22-SD-MF-A: Counter-mounted sensor soap, foam 0.7 mL, top-fill, Group "A" multi-feed.
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Power. Controls—Details that Prevent Callbacks
Hard-wired vs. battery vs. hybrid: Hard-wired for high-density restrooms, battery for retrofits, hybrid for redundancy. Electrical coordination: Homeruns at low voltage, transformers out of splash zones, spare VA, GFCI as necessary.
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Water Quality, Mixing, and Flow
Temperature stability = fewer sensor complaints. Maintain delivery between 100–110°F. Use TMVs. Flow & pressure: Call out performance at both 45 psi and 60 psi.
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Accessibility, Durability, and Maintenance
Accessibility: Provide ADA clearances, specify spouts long-reach. Durability & security: Metal housings, PVD coatings, ligature-resistant as necessary. Maintainability: Solenoids repairable, top-fill soap, multi-feed racks.
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Submittals & QA—How to Inspect "Equals"
Submittal information: Cut sheets, Revit families, compliance documentation, wiring schematics, soap compatibility. Mock-ups: On large programs, test basis-of-design vs. equal.
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Common Pitfalls—and How to Avoid Them
Uncoordinated hole sizes: Lock early, mark on millwork drawings. Power supplies in splash zones: Install remotely, above drip loops. Soap type mismatch: State foam vs. liquid clearly. Ignored maintenance path: Locate service zones, cross in plan key.
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Final Word
Well-written Division 22 sections, coordinated plans, and current BIM families are touchless from buzzword to measurable outcomes: lower utility bills, faster cleaning, fewer callbacks, and healthier bathrooms. Reference the following sample spec language, refer to current Revit content, and implement the checklist at each stage of design. Your bidders will price apples-to-apples, your owner will get what they paid for, and your users will benefit from the sleek "wave-and-wash" experience they've grown to expect.
Read More
Read Less
