🏆 Top Brands & Lines Architects Love
These brands tend to appear in architectural-grade guides, case studies, and trade reviews:
- FontanaShowers / Fontana Touchless — Known for refined sensor design, finish variety, and modular soap/faucet/dryer combos. Architectural Bathroom Fixtures+2Architectural Bathroom Fixtures+2
- Delta (Touch2O.xt, VoiceIQ) — Flexible control, solid reliability, good brand support. Architectural Bathroom Fixtures+1
- Moen (MotionSense, U by Moen) — Strong residential + light commercial crossover, good tech integration. Architectural Bathroom Fixtures
- Kohler (Konnect / smart sensor lines) — High-end finishes with smart features. Architectural Bathroom Fixtures
- American Standard / Sloan — Workhorse lines for schools, airports, public restrooms — less flash, more dependability. Architectural Bathroom Fixtures+1
- Grohe / Hansgrohe — Precision, German engineering, clean sensor integration. (Mentioned in brand rankings)Â
What Makes a Touchless Faucet “Spec-Worthy” for Architects
Before we dig into brands and products, here are the features you should prioritize:
| Feature | Why It Matters | Target Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Type & Responsiveness | Poorly tuned sensors lead to “no-response” or false activations | ≤ 0.3–0.5 s lag; adjustable range (e.g. 4–8 in) |
| Power Options | Battery-only is fine for light use; AC or hybrid is better in commercial or high-traffic settings | Dual-power (battery + AC) or line-powered preferred |
| Finish & Finish Durability | Fingerprints, water spots, and corrosion show quickly in public restrooms | Spot-resist, PVD coatings, matte or textured finishes |
| Build Materials / Construction | Budget materials degrade under constant use | Brass or solid materials for body, not plastic |
| Ease of Maintenance & Servicing | In commercial settings, downtime must be minimized | Tool-free access, common parts, accessible control box |
| Flow Rate / WaterSense / Efficiency | Water savings, code compliance, and sustainability goals matter | ≤ 1.5 GPM (or local equivalent), WaterSense certification where applicable |
| Design & Visual Cohesion | You’ll want forms and detailing to match the design language of fixtures, hardware, lighting | Consistent lines, minimal sensor halos, variant finishes |
Restroom Design Guide: Touchless Faucets & Automatic Soap
Spec‑forward guidance with links to primary standards, codes, and public‑health resources used by architects, plumbing engineers, and facility teams.
Design for Inclusive Use
Confirm reach ranges and operability against the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and the Access Board’s guide to Operable Parts (Ch. 3). Place faucet sensors and soap actuators within compliant forward/side reach and ensure operability without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting.
Flows, Labels, and Credits
EPA WaterSense
Bathroom faucets labeled WaterSense typically use ≤ 1.5 gpm. For commercial best practices, see WaterSense at Work: Faucets. Designers can also review the draft v2.0 faucet spec (EPA PDF).
LEED & WELL
LEED projects reference WaterSense in the Indoor Water Use Reduction prerequisite. For health and hygiene strategies, see the WELL Building Standard (Water & Handwashing–related features).
Plan for Code Pathways
Coordinate allowable flow rates, supply sizing, and temperature limits under the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) or International Plumbing Code (IPC). For scald protection and mixing strategies, see ASSE guidance and standards:
- ASSE Guidelines for Temperature Control Devices (PDF)
- Background on ASSE 1070 temperature‑limiting valves and a code note from Sloan (PDF) on 120°F max for public lavatories
For system‑level plumbing design, refer to the ASPE Plumbing Engineering Design Handbooks.
Hygiene & Handwashing
Plan faucet/soap ergonomics and signage to support the CDC’s handwashing facts and clinical guidance for healthcare personnel. Materials in contact with potable water should comply with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification.
Legionella Risk Management
In large buildings or intermittently used wings, implement a water management program per ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis risk management). See background PDFs (ANSI overview) and 2015 publication excerpt.
Controls, Telemetry & Integration
Cybersecurity Baselines
For connected faucets and dispensers, align device capabilities with NISTIR 8259A (PDF) and the broader 8259 series for IoT security.
BMS Protocols
Specify vendor‑neutral integration via BACnet (ANSI/ASHRAE 135) (ASHRAE page, ANSI overview).
Planning for Traffic
For airports, campuses, and arenas, pair sensor response times with adequate sink counts and multifeed soap to minimize queues. Use plumbing engineering references (see ASPE Handbooks) and align fixture performance with WaterSense flow guidance and local code fixture unit tables.
Editable Spec Checklist for RFPs
- Sensor activation range & latency (faucet + soap)
- Maximum flow rate and aerator spec (WaterSense)
- Temperature control and anti‑scald (ASSE 1070)
- ADA reach/clearances (2010 ADA Standards)
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 materials (NSF)
- Legionella water management (ASHRAE 188)
- IoT security baseline (NISTIR 8259A)
- BMS interoperability (BACnet / ASHRAE 135)