Commercial Toilet and Urinal Selection Guide
Outfitting commercial bathrooms can be easy with the right information!
From the type of valve to the mounting style, commercial toilet parts vary in many ways from a residential toilet. When installing a new toilet and flush valve, be sure to check local codes for selecting the correct items for installation and GPF (gallons per flush) compliance in your area. This guide is designed to help you select the correct part for your toilet and flush valve repairs.
Flush Valve Selection
For a new installation, choosing a flush valve will depend on your preference for manual or automatic sensor flushing. After selecting the style of flush valve, you'll next need to determine your flushing capacity. Some areas have a maximum flushing restriction which will limit your options. Again, it's recommended that you check local ordinances before selecting your valve's GPF (gallons per flush) rating.
- Manual Flush Valves: These feature a handle or push button to operate the flushing action. Manual valves can be used on urinals as well as toilets and require no batteries or sensor connection.
- Automatic Flush Valves: A proximity sensor will activate a solenoid when a person steps away from the fixture, initiating the flushing action. Automatic valves require batteries or a separate sensor connection to operate.
- Concealed Flush Valves: Used where the plumbing is hidden for design or aesthetic purposes. Concealed valves operate with an external sensor that indicates when a person has stepped away from the fixture—similar to an automatic valve.
A manual flush valve with handle
Automatic flush valve with sensor
Urinal Selection
Choosing a urinal is based on whether you prefer washout or wash down, siphon jet, or blowout bowl style.
- Wash Out or Wash Down Urinals: Work by releasing water through ports in the top of the urinal or on the side of the lower bowl to clean the urinal and remove wastewater.
- Siphon Jet Urinals: These use a concentrated stream of water to fill the lower bowl portion of the urinal, creating a siphon action through the P-trap.
- Blowout Urinals: Feature a hole at the entrance to the trap that jets water through, creating instant suction to remove wastewater. They're the noisiest of the three styles but provide the most aggressive flush.
Commercial Toilet Bowls
These should be ADA compliant and rated within local water restriction codes. These toilet bowls are available in several different mounting styles; make your selection according to which one best meets local plumbing and installation requirements. Similar to urinals, commercial toilet bowls are available in siphon jet, blowout and wash down flushing styles.
- Wall Mount Toilets: Mounted directly to the wall, they feature a rear outlet for the drain connection.
- Floor Mount Toilets: These toilet bowls are bolted to a toilet flange at the base and connected to the drain underneath the toilet.
- Floor Mount Toilets with Rear Outlet Bowls: These can be used in place of a wall mount toilet. The toilet will bolt to a flange underneath the base but also at the wall to seal the rear outlet drain connection like a wall mounted toilet.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.
