HEU-testing

High-Efficiency Urinals (HEUs)
High-Efficiency Urinals (HEUs) use approximately 0.5 gallons per flush (gpf) or less - at least one half of the amount of water used to flush the average urinal. One HEU can save 20,000 gallons of water per year with an estimated 20-year life. High-Efficiency Urinals contribute to long-term decreases in water usage and water bills, as well as promoting the sustainability of our environment.

The Zurn EcoVantage Ultra Water Saving Urinal System reduces water consumption by 85% compared to a typical one gallon urinal. It conserves more than 30,000 gallons per year. The low consumption Zurn EcoVantage Pint Urinal uses just one pint (16 ounces or 0.5 liters) per flush. It promotes water conservation while providing the sanitary flushing action of a standard urinal. It is an environmental alternative to controversial waterless urinals that create unwanted, unsanitary plastic oil disks that must be changed on a regular basis. The plastic oil disks are not biodegradable and eventually end up in a landfill.

The WaterSense label is used on HEUs that are certified by independent laboratory testing to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only HEUs that complete the third-party certification process can earn the WaterSense label.

Many cities and municipalities are pushing legislation to mandate high-efficiency systems as the new norm. Although relatively new to the U.S. market, these fixtures are today’s answer to higher levels of water conservation within our commercial restrooms. The HEU is a direct response to LEEDS, where 20% reduction in water consumption is important to obtain overall LEEDS certification credits.

Ensuring HEU performance requires a paired performance system approach that will operate over the entire pressure range spectrum. For a manufacturer like Zurn Industries, performance testing is imperative to bringing high quality and superior performing fixtures to the market. Two of the recognized criteria for performance testing within the U.S. are ANSI/ASME A112.19.9 Hydraulic Performance Requirements for Water Closets and Maximum Performance Testing (MaP Testing). These tests were developed to allow fixture designers and others (cities and municipalities) a way to standardize and benchmark performance. All fixtures must pass these test criteria. Constant and vigilant testing is critical to the HET/HEU success and market acceptance. ANSI performance tests include:

  • Water consumption: The amount of water consumed per flush.
  • Ink-line: Test is designed to ensure proper bowl rinse.
  • Dye test: Test is designed to evaluate bowl water exchange.
  • Trap seal: Test to ensure the fixture fills and has proper seal.
  • Ball removal: Tests evacuation.
  • Granule removal: Tests evacuation.
  • Line carry: Test determines how well solids are carried through the drain line.
  • Splash test: Test ensures that excess splash does not occur during flush cycle.

The plumbing industry is providing measurable impacts on water usage and conservation. For example, a typical men’s restroom has four water closets and four urinals with an annual fixture usage of 25,000. The use of the 1.28 gpf HET water closets and 0.125 gpf (Pint) HEU urinals saves 119,500 gallons of water each year when compared to traditional 1.6 gpf water closets and 1.0 gpf urinals. 87,500 gallons of this water savings is realized through the urinals.

Visit Zurn’s Web site for more information on Zurn Water Savings Urinals.