Engineering and Specification in Companies and Organisations
Things for the bathroom
When used in commercial and institutional projects, toilet accessories are more than just decorative trim. They are engineered parts that are needed for the system to work properly, follow the rules, last a long time, be environmentally friendly, and work together. This technical paper talks about the architectural and engineering things that need to be thought about when picking toilet accessories that are accessible, use less water, are made of the right materials, work well, and are part of a larger lavatory system.
ADA AccessibilityWaterSenseCALGreenASME standardsSystem-based approach
Toilet accessories include flush actuators and valves, grab bars, toilet paper dispensers, seat cover dispensers, sanitary disposal units, support frames, and built-in sensor controls.
These parts need to work together as part of the whole lavatory system in businesses and institutions, not as separate products.
Gallery B
If accessories aren't clearly defined, they can make it hard to get to, fail inspections, wear out too quickly, and cost more to maintain.
From the AEC's point of view, specifications must include:
Gallery C
You can see toilet accessory assemblies made by certain companies at:
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design set rules that must be followed for public and commercial buildings' bathrooms and other related items. These rules say:
Reach ranges for usable parts
There should be enough space on the floor and room to move around.
The height of the mount in relation to the finished floor
The most force and type of control that can be used
Criteria for Mounting and Use
People who have trouble moving around or are weak must be able to use flush controls, dispensers, and grab bars. They must also not block wheelchair clearances.
Criteria for Mounting and Use
The U.S. Access Board's ADA Toilet Rooms Guide is the official place to go for information on how to set up toilet rooms and the things that go with them.
Criteria for Mounting and Use
Here are some important things to keep in mind when buying ADA-compliant toilet accessories:
Picking the right materials and making sure they last
Picking the right materials and making sure they last
Commercial toilet accessories need to be able to handle being used all the time, cleaned often, and sometimes misused.
From an engineering point of view, durability is affected by:
Made of stainless steel so it won't rust
Valve bodies made of solid brass or polymer that has been strengthened
Hidden mounting systems and fasteners that can't be messed with
Picking the right materials and making sure they last
Institutional-duty-cycle accessories are great for busy places because they lower the need for maintenance and the cost of the product's life cycle.
At Duke University Facilities, you can find a sample specification guide for commercial toilet accessories. It's called the Commercial Toilet Accessories Guide.
You should be able to use flush controls with no more than 5 pounds of force and without having to hold them tightly, pinch them, or twist them.
Toilet paper dispensers need to be within a certain distance and not block grab bars on the sides or back.
Accessories shouldn't stick out too much into paths of circulation.
Managing and linking systems
Managing and linking systems
More and more, modern bathroom designs use sensors to control flushing and other hygiene-related items. You should think about the following when you think about integration:
Managing and linking systems
Routing the power supply and getting to it for repairs
Managing and linking systems
Works with wall systems and hidden carriers
Managing and linking systems
Avoiding sensor problems caused by reflective surfaces or high humidity
Managing and linking systems
Plumbing, electrical, and architectural drawings must all work together to avoid problems during installation.
Working with Partitions and Carriers
You should check that your toilet accessories work with in-wall carriers, the way your partitions are set up and any nearby fixtures. If things aren't lined up right, it can be harder to get to them and the structure won't work as well.
Toilet accessories include flush actuators and valves, grab bars, toilet paper dispensers, seat cover dispensers, sanitary disposal units, support frames, and built-in sensor controls.
Following the Rules for ADA Accessibility
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design set rules that must be followed for public and commercial buildings' bathrooms and other related items.
WaterSense and Water Efficiency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program sets standards for how well plumbing fixtures work and how much water they use.
CALGreen and Ideas for Being More Sustainable
The California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) has rules that must be followed and rules that can be followed to save water and make materials work better.
How well things work according to ASME standards
ASME and CSA standards set the rules for how well toilets and their parts work mechanically and with water.
Picking the right materials and making sure they last
Commercial toilet accessories need to be able to handle being used all the time, cleaned often, and sometimes misused.
Working with Partitions and Carriers
Good detailing makes sure that: Good anchoring into structural support Room for maintenance access Following the rules for moving around in spaces
Submitting and Paperwork
From a specification point of view, toilet accessories should come with full documentation, which should include:
Submitting and Paperwork
Detailed product information sheetsStatements of compliance with the code and the ADAInstallation drawings with important measurementsPlanning with BIM or CAD filesFull submissions cut down on RFIs and make it easier to run a construction project.
WaterSense and Water Efficiency
WaterSense mostly certifies toilets, not accessories. However, flush valves and actuators are very important for keeping the right amount of water in the toilet.
The WaterSense standard for tank-type toilets, which starts on July 1, 2025, talks about how the tank, bowl, and flushing parts all work together as a whole.
The specification document can be found at: EPA WaterSense: Requirements for Toilets with Tanks
The California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) has rules that must be followed and rules that can be followed to save water and make materials work better.
Accessories with finishes that don't rust and mechanical parts that last a long time help CALGreen goals by lowering the amount of waste and damage that happens during their lives.
Application B
In places where a lot of people are, like schools, hospitals, and transportation hubs, it is important for both hygiene and water conservation that the flush works the same way every time.
Not planning ahead for where accessories will go during the design process can lead to costly changes in the field during inspections.
ASME and CSA standards set the rules for how well toilets and their parts work mechanically and with water. Important standards are:
How well things work according to ASME standards
Plumbing fixtures made of vitreous china must follow the rules set by ASME A112.19.2 and CSA B45.1.
How well things work according to ASME standards
ASME A112.18.1 for plumbing control devices and supply fittings
How well things work according to ASME standards
Flush actuators, sensor controls, and valve assemblies should only work with fixtures that have been tested to these standards to make sure they work right and follow the rules.
How well things work according to ASME standards
For more information about commercial plumbing parts that meet ASME standards, go to:
To work well, be easy to get to, use less water, and last a long time, commercial restroom systems need toilet accessories.
Architects and engineers need to be very careful when they write specifications and plan their work so that it meets ADA, WaterSense, CALGreen, and ASME standards and helps the facility work well over time.
A system-based approach to toilet accessories that puts more emphasis on engineering than looks makes restrooms safer, better for the environment, and easier to clean.
Detailed product information sheetsStatements of compliance with the code and the ADAInstallation drawings with important measurementsPlanning with BIM or CAD filesFull submissions cut down on RFIs and make it easier to run a construction project.
From a specification point of view, toilet accessories should come with full documentation, which should include:
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