Green Product Spotlight: Choosing the Right Bradley WashfountainWhen looking for sustainable bathroom fixtures, there are many factors to consider. This article is the first in a series aimed at helping decision makers to properly evaluate the pros and cons of various “green” bathroom products.
The first green bathroom product category we will be looking at is wash fountains, specifically wash fountains manufactured by the Bradley corporation, which are currently the leading edge wash fountain products when it comes to resource efficiency and environmental health.
Why A Wash Fountain?Wash fountains are primarily designed for high traffic restroom or washroom areas. Wash fountains have been around long before the sustainability movement because of their ability to maximize the number of hand washers that can be accommodated in a given space. Another advantage of installing wash fountains compared to sinks is that each wash fountain needs only one water intake and water disposal pathway. If you look at the largest Bradley Washfountains, 54” circular wash fountains that can accommodate up to 8 simultaneous users, the labor and material savings compared to installing the piping for eight sinks is close to $10,000, even when you account for the higher price of the wash fountain itself. All Bradley Wash Fountains are available with infrared or foot controls, making them a more hygienic hand washing solution.
Washfountains can also provide significant water savings, especially when compared to conventional 2.5 gallon-per-minute (gpm) bathroom fixtures. However, low flow faucets, Bradley ndite Express Lavatory systems, and the higher efficiency wash fountains all use .5 gpm/user across the board. So the reason to choose a wash fountain over other green bathroom fixtures is the ability to accommodate a large number of users while maximizing space and minimizing installation costs.
Now that we’ve covered why you would choose a wash fountain, the question becomes, “Which Bradley wash fountain is right for your application?” The first factor to look at when choosing a wash fountain is what type of hand washing needs to be accommodated.
Heavy Duty Handwash FountainsFor heavy-duty hand washing, with oil, grease, or anything that really needs to be scrubbed to be removed, the low flow wash fountains are really not the best bet. In fact, Bradley says the biggest mistake made when choosing a hand washing fountain is getting a low flow model (Sentry and Multi-Fount lines) for applications where higher water output and a deep bowl for containing water splash off are really needed. Using a low flow washfountain in these situations means more time is spent washing hands, and the water savings becomes minimized. You can still save water by getting a deep bowl wash fountain with sectional controls rather than where one control activates the entire wash fountain. (Deep bowl wash fountains with sectional controls must be special ordered - call for details.)
For heavy duty handwashing, the choice is between between the Bradley Classic Stainless Steel Washfountains, the Classic Bradstone Washfountains, and the Bradley Terreon Wash Fountain lines.
The most environmentally friendly deep bowl wash fountain of the bunch is the Terreon Wash Fountain. Terreon wash fountains are GreenGuard Certified to have low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, contributing towards the LEED IEQ 4.1 credit for indoor air quality. Terreon wash fountains are also available in a 25% recycled version called TerreonRE. (*Note: Sustainable Supply will soon have TerreonRE wash fountains listed on our website, but if you are interested in getting one now, you can give us a call to order.) In cases where aesthetics are a concern, the Terreon wash fountain comes out ahead of the classic wash fountains with its more modern design and less institutional look. The Terreon wash fountain bowls are molded, which means there is little to no waste in the production process, and no need for adhesives or sealants to be used. Terreon wash fountains are highly durable (NAHB certified) and the material can be repaired, making them a great long term green bathroom design solution. Another advantage of the Terreon wash fountains is that they are the only deep bowl wash fountain that is ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act).
The Classic Stainless Steel Wash Fountains (made from partially recycled steel) are a good choice when vandal resistance is a top priority. They also marginally outperform the Terreon wash fountains when it comes to really heavy duty hand washing, with a slightly higher water output, and a deeper bowl to contain water splashing and prevent slippery floors. One downside of the stainless steel wash fountains is that they really show up water spots and require more regular cleaning to look decent, whereas, with the Terreon wash fountains, water spots and other messes are more camouflaged.
Finally, the Bradstone Wash Fountains are the deep bowl wash fountains to choose when price is your primary concern. They are less durable and less vandal resistant than the steel and Terreon wash fountains, and are also less aesthetically pleasing. One advantage of the Bradstone wash fountains is that they have chemical resistance properties that could be important in certain manufacturing settings.
Low Flow Wash FountainsLow flow wash fountains come in two different lines - the Sentry steel wash fountains, and the Multi-Fount Terreon models. Both low flow wash fountain lines use .5 gpm/user and can help you qualify for water efficiency LEED credits. The water output on these wash fountains is perfect for typical restroom use. Both low flow wash fountains are ADA compliant (except when adding foot controls to the Sentry wash fountain models).
The Multi-Fount Terreon Wash Fountains have all the advantages of the deep bowl Terreon wash fountain material: modern/attractive look, durable and repairable, and low VOC emissions to contribute towards the LEED IEQ 4.1 credit for indoor air quality. Terreon Multi-Fount wash fountains are made to have enhanced vandal resistance, making them a good choice for school restrooms. The granite look and feel of Terreon material camouflages water spots and soap stains. They also come in a juvenile height for elementary school use. As with the deep bowl wash fountains, you can request TerreonRE Multi-Fount wash fountains, which are made of 25% recycled material.
Sentry Washfountains, made from partially recycled stainless steel come in a wide variety of models able to accommodate up to eight individual users, unlike the multi-fount wash fountains which max out at four. Sentry stainless steel wash fountains are a little bit less expensive than the multi-founts as well, so if you don’t mind the more institutional look, they are an excellent option.
If you have any questions about Bradley wash fountains or other green bathroom fixtures, you can call Sustainable Supply at 303-325-7938, or send an e-mail to sales@sustainablesupply.com, and we will get you the information you’re looking for as soon as possible.
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