AWWA ACE58264

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 required that by 1994 gravity flush tank toilets manufactured in the U.S. have a maximum average water usage of 1.6 gallons (6.0 litres). The Ontario Building Code made the same requirement for toilets installed in new construction beginning in 1996. Standards for maximum flush volume requirements and acceptable testing requirements are stated in ASME/ANSI A112.19.6 and CSA B45 Series-02 Plumbing Fixtures. These standards use a combination of plastic granules, polypropylene balls, sponges, paper balls, etc., to measure the flush performance of each toilet. Water efficiency and protection of the environment were the primary reasons for the development of the 1.6 gpf requirement; however, to ensure widespread acceptance of this standard it is necessary that a high degree of customer satisfaction with the performance of 1.6-gallon toilets be achieved. This paper discusses the maximum performance testing protocol that included three different elements: solids removal; water change-out capability; and, replacement flapper testing. Includes table.