There are many differences between commercial plumbing products from residential ones. It is not just a matter of the type of fixtures used, the location of various plumbing items installed, or even the use of materials, but it is also a matter of code.
Commercial plumbing uses larger pipes
Commercial plumbing systems must handle far more volume than residential systems, using larger pipes. The plumbing pipes are usually between two and four inches in diameter.
Residential plumbing pipes are usually between three-quarters of an inch and two inches. Commercial plumbing fixtures can handle more waste, water, and pressure than residential ones.
Commercial plumbing products have uniformly sized parts.
Commercial plumbing fixtures have standardized sizes called “nominal” sizes. Thus, it’s easier to replace parts if they fail because all you need is to find a replacement fitting with the same nominal size. Residential plumbing fixtures often come in unique sizes, making it difficult to find replacement parts if they fail or are damaged.
Commercial Plumbing Products are Heavier Duty
Commercial plumbing products generally have thicker walls and heavier components than residential ones. They are less likely to rust out or wear out over time if properly maintained. While many residential fittings are plastic-made, most commercial ones use metal parts for extra strength.
Commercial plumbing products are tested to perform under high levels of stress
Commercial plumbing products must work much harder than their residential counterparts. They have to handle higher volumes of water and withstand more frequent use. These products also need to be easy to service while functioning reliably.
When looking for a new toilet or sink for your home, it’s always best to look at the product’s ratings. A commercial-grade toilet, for example, can be rated for 500 flashes per day. The average home toilet gets under 100 flashes per day.
Commercial plumbing products have a different drain and vent system than residential ones.
Water must leave the building as quickly as possible in a commercial setting. Commercial plumbing systems move large quantities of water through larger pipes than residential systems do – and they use gravity in interesting ways to funnel the water away from the building more quickly. Commercial toilets, for example, typically slope back towards the wall rather than forward into the room, as residential toilets do. The back slope helps with drainage.
Commercial Plumbing Products Have Fewer Moving Parts for Hygiene
Some moving parts in plumbing fixtures might spread bacteria. For example, the trap under your sink can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Bacteria can grow on the surfaces of the trap in case of infrequent use. A wet environment allows bacteria need to survive and multiply.
Commercial fixtures typically do not have traps underneath the drain, so they don’t collect water and create a damp environment. Instead, they have a p-trap or U-trap with an air gap built into the drain, preventing water from collecting and causing bacteria to grow. Certain types of commercial faucets also have fewer moving parts than residential faucets — they may lack a pop-up drain or other features that can cause bacteria to grow around them.
Commercial plumbing products also feature designs that prevent clogs because clogged drains can cause nasty backups and flooding in commercial settings such as hotels and restaurants. Commercial fixtures are typically larger than residential fixtures, so they can handle more waste at once, reducing the likelihood of clogs forming.
Commercial Plumbing Products Are Designed to Save Water
Water efficiency is important because commercial buildings use a lot of water and cutting down on water usage can help businesses save money. In addition, many states are passing laws that require businesses to reduce the amount of water they use.
The good news is that you can choose from a wide range of commercial plumbing products that can help you save water. Different bathroom fixtures, including urinals and toilets, are designed to use less water than their standard counterparts.
Manufacturers and distributors offer water-saving commercial plumbing products, but they also advise to reduce water usage throughout your facility.
Commercial Plumbing Systems Have a Greater Need for Water Pressure
If you’ve ever been to an office building or restaurant, you know people use the bathroom far more than in a home environment. Water pressure becomes a key factor when designing a commercial plumbing system. For example, in an office building with 100 employees, there could be multiple bathrooms on each floor, so there must be enough water pressure to keep toilets flushing and taps running on every floor.
To ensure that water pressure remains high, commercial plumbers often recommend installing commercial flushometers because they can handle the job much better than residential products. These valves come in many styles and sizes, so you must choose one that works best for your specific application. For example, some models are designed specifically for urinals, while others are for toilets.
Commercial Plumbing Systems Require Deeper Testing and Inspection
Commercial buildings generally require more frequent inspections than residential buildings do. Therefore, there is a greater chance of catching a problem before it becomes a major issue. Many cities even have ordinances in place, mandating regular inspections for commercial buildings with certain types of piping systems.
At a Glance…
Commercial Flush Valves vs. Residential flush valves
Commercial flush valves have thicker metal materials than their residential counterparts.
They are also designed to withstand more frequent use than residential flush valves and are often larger, allowing them to handle a greater volume of water at one time.
Commercial flush valves also have longer warranties than residential ones because they are expected to last longer.
What makes the Hydrotrek flush valves ideal for commercial use?
They are ADA compliant: You can use the flush valves in toilets designed for disabled persons. These products will help with your building code compliance.
Self-cleaning sensors: The valves have filters that prevent malfunctioning because of blockage from water debris. The valves will keep your commercial toilets running 24-7.
Touchless designs: Our electric models press buttons or pull levers to activate the flush. The design promotes hygiene in commercial settings.
Commercial Faucets Valves vs. Residential faucets
Testing standards are one of the big differences between commercial and residential faucets. The ANSI/NSF 61-G (Drinking Water System Components) testing standard is designed to test and ensure the safety of residential drinking water systems.
The ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 (Plumbing Supply Fittings) standard is designed to test and ensure the safety of commercial drinking water systems. This is important because many city codes require products to be certified under the appropriate testing standard for their intended use.
The valve stems in commercial faucets are made to move up or down with ease in design. The flow rate is high enough that the valves don’t get clogged with sand or soap deposits. You will notice the different finishes and designs of commercial and residential faucets.
The material is corrosion resistant, and the design is more industrial-looking than a residential unit. Our commercial units feature touchless sensor technology, which eliminates the need for handles. The design improves hygiene and saves water using an advanced automatic time-out configuration. Residential units also have a wide range of finishes, from polished chrome to antique bronze.
Commercial showers vs. Residential showers
Many commercial showers use sensor shower systems. These systems help reduce the amount of water being used by automatically shutting off after use.
This feature can help businesses save a lot of money by reducing their water consumption. Digital showers typically use less energy than their traditional counterparts. For example, some high-end models only require about 75 watts to operate, while others can take 120 watts.
Commercial Sinks vs. Residential sinks
Commercial sinks are meant for use in business applications. Commercial kitchens, restaurants, medical offices, and other businesses rely on commercial sinks to adequately meet their needs.
Material. Residential sinks typically feature lower-grade stainless steel than commercial sinks. They may also have different coatings to protect them from corrosion or discoloration. Commercial sink materials should be more durable than those found in residential kitchens.
Commercial sinks are generally larger than those found in the home. They may also come with multiple bowls for different purposes, such as washing and rinsing dishes or filling large pots or tubs.
Commercial Toilets vs. Residential toilets
Commercial toilets have a flush system that is more powerful than that of a residential toilet. It is more powerful because it is supposed to deal with many uses a day.
Commercial toilets can often accommodate more people at a time. They have large sizes and additional features to fit the user’s needs. The extra features can be foot pedals, paper holders, mirrors, or hand dryers.
Commercial plumbing codes are more stringent than residential building codes. Commercial buildings also have more people using the same plumbing system at any given time, hence the many differences between commercial and residential plumbing products.
Hydrotek International manufactures and distributes the most advanced commercial plumbing systems that offer the lowest energy consumption and the highest performance in terms of hygiene and sustainability. Contact us to place your order today!
