Toilets

Background

The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and Florida Building Code requires that both residential and commercial toilets not exceed 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Many toilet models on the market today reduce flush volumes below this standard.

Requirements and certification

Silver and Gold requirements

All toilets shall be high efficiency (1.28 gallons/flush with a UNAR MaP rating above 350 grams/flush). WaterSense®-labeled toilets comply.

Gold extra credit requirements

High-efficiency toilets (with a maximum 1.0 gpf) have a UNAR MaP rating above 350 grams per flush. WaterSense®-labeled toilets comply.

To earn additional points, the flush volume cannot exceed 1.0 gpf. Toilets with MaP rates above 600 grams per flush may offer better performance.

The Inspector must field-verify the performance label for each toilet. A stamp with the performance values is located inside the toilet tank.

Program tip

In recent years, utilities have expressed a concern about the use of high-efficiency fixtures in Commercial/Institutional projects. The concern stems from a potential lack of drain-line carry, which occurs when the water volume is insufficient to carry waste through the drain line. This lack of drain-line carry most likely occurs when a building has only lavatories without showers or other higher-volume uses. Project developers should consult with their utilities when drain-line carry might be a concern.

For information about the MaP rating (flushing performance) of a toilet, visit the MaP website and search.