EPA
AA/aterSense
EPA Pre-Rinse Spray Valves Research Study Scope
Purpose of research on pre-rinse spray valves:
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) restricts pre-rinse spray valve sales in the United
States to those with flow rates of 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) or lower, as tested by the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2324-03 standard test method for pre-
rinse spray valves. ASTM F2324-03 also includes a test protocol designed to assess a pre-rinse
spray valve's ability to remove food waste from plates that is measured in "cleanability," or in the
time in seconds per plate cleaned. EPAct 2005 does not specify a necessary performance level
based on the cleanability portion of the test protocol.
In recent years, manufacturers have begun to meet demands for more efficient products and
have introduced ultra-high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valve models to the market with rated flow
rates of 1.0 gpm or less. These spray valves have demonstrated ASTM-tested cleanability times
equal to or better than standard models. However, minimal research has been done, particularly
with these ultra-high-efficiency spray valves, to evaluate actual field usage times, water and
energy savings, and customer satisfaction.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to determine if high-efficiency and
ultra-high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves perform as well as or better than their conventional
counterparts (those with flow rates at or around the EPAct 2005 requirement of 1.6 gpm) in the
field, as performance is critical for EPA to ensure the long-term water and energy savings
associated with these products. Particularly, EPA is interested in determining whether users
spend more time removing food waste from dishes using high-efficiency and/or ultra-high-
efficiency pre-rinse spray valves than conventional valves, and, if so, whether the usage time
increases to the point that it negates water and energy savings and impacts user satisfaction.
Questions to be answered through independent, third-party research:
To assist in the development of a performance specification for pre-rinse spray valves, EPA
seeks data that answers the following questions:
1. How do water usage and time usage vary among pre-rinse spray valves currently on the
market?
2. Do usage times in the field correlate to cleanability times achieved using the ASTM
F2324-03 test method?
3. How do flow rate, actual field usage time, and ASTM-tested cleanability time correlate to
user satisfaction?
EPA is seeking independent data to answer the above questions. Below is an outline of the
ideal research study scope.
July 10, 2009
-------
EPA
AA/aterSense
Scope:
Goal:
For at least one week each, install at least two models of applicable (see next bullet)
pre-rinse spray valves from each flow rate category listed below in a minimum of 10
establishments, for a total of eight spray valves per establishment. The two pre-rinse
spray valves in each category should be made by different manufacturers whenever
possible.
o Category 1: pre-rinse spray valves with a rated flow rate > 1.4 to 1.6 gpm
o Category 2: pre-rinse spray valves with a rated flow rate > 1.2 to <1.4 gpm
o Category 3: pre-rinse spray valves with a rated flow rate > 1.0 to <1.2 gpm
o Category 4: pre-rinse spray valves with a rated flow rate < 1.0 gpm
Applicable pre-rinse spray valves must have posted ASTM F2324-03 test results from
the Food Service Technology Center. A list of applicable pre-rinse spray valve models
can be found at www.fishnick.com/equipment/sprayvalves.
Equipment Needed for Study:
Graduated pail/container (one per person collecting data simultaneously)
Stop watch (one per person collecting data simultaneously)
Pressure gauge (one per establishment)
Usage counters/totalizers (one per establishment for mixed water spigot; two per
establishment for separate hot and cold water spigots)
Pre-rinse spray valves (enough to have one installed at each establishment every week;
can be used interchangeably among establishments)
Thermometer (one per person collecting data simultaneously)
Tape measure (one per person collecting data simultaneously)
Digital camera (one per person collecting data simultaneously)
Baseline Measurements at Participating Establishments:
Identify the make and model of the existing pre-rinse spray valve.
The original valve should be monitored during the pre-installation data collection period
for at least one week, and the following measurements should be taken:
o Using a stop watch and graduated pail, measure and record the baseline flow
rate of the existing pre-rinse spray valve at the beginning of the pre-installation
data collection period.
o Using a pressure gauge, measure and record the flowing and static water
pressure of the existing pre-rinse spray valve at least once during the pre-
installation data collection period.
o Using the usage counter/flow totalizer, measure and record the total gallons used
and/or the total time spent using the existing pre-rinse spray valve during the pre-
installation data collection period.
o Using a thermometer, measure and record the hot- and cold-water temperature
from a separate faucet (not using the pre-rinse spray valve) at the establishment
at the beginning of the pre-installation data collection period. This will establish a
baseline for calculating energy savings.
o Using a thermometer, measure and record the outlet water temperature from the
existing pre-rinse spray valve at the beginning of the pre-installation data
collection period.
July 10, 2009
-------
EPA
AA/aterSense
Provide a description and photo documentation of the entire pre-rinse unit, including
measurements of the inside hose diameter and hose length, description of hot water and
cold water spigots (combined, separate, etc.), and descriptions of any other important
parameters.
At the end of the pre-installation data collection period, dishwashers should be
interviewed briefly to assess user satisfaction, answering at least the following
questions:
o Are you satisfied with the current pre-rinse spray valve?
o What do you like or dislike about the valve?
o Do you adjust the temperature of the pre-rinse spray valve during the day, and if
so, why?
Establishment managers should provide the following business information for the pre-
installation testing period:
o Number of customers served
o Any information about atypical business (i.e., special events)
Establishment managers should also indicate:
o If their water is heated by electricity, natural gas, or other means
o If their pre-rinse spray valves use hot water, cold water, or both
o If there is a mixing valve on their faucet that feeds their pre-rinse spray valve
New Installation for Each Participating Establishment:
The eight pre-rinse spray valves (two from each flow rate category) should be installed
for at least one week each during the test period. The test should be a blind testthe
user should not know the flow rate of the valve being installed. The order of installation
should be done at random (i.e., flow rate should not ramp up or ramp down during the
study; pre-rinse spray valve selection per week should be randomly generated). See
example schedule matrix below.
Flow Rate Category
> 1.4 to 1.6 gpm
> 1.2 to <1.4 gpm
> 1.0 to <1.2 gpm
< 1.0 gpm
Pre-Rinse Spray
Model A
Model C
Model E
Model G
Valve 1 Pre-Rinse Spray Valve 2
Model B
Model D
Model F
Model H
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Valve Installed
Model B
Model G
Model C
Model A
Model E
Model F
Model D
Model H
All new pre-rinse spray valves should be installed on the existing pre-rinse units at each
establishment (the only variable will be the spray valve, not the entire spray unit; spray
units may vary by location), and the following measurements should be taken:
o Using a stop watch and graduated pail, measure and record the flow rate of each
pre-rinse spray valve at the beginning of each installation data collection period.
o Using a pressure gauge, measure and record the flowing and static water
pressure of each pre-rinse spray valve at least once during each installation
period.
July 10, 2009
-------
EPA
AA/aterSense
o Using the usage counter/flow totalizer, measure and record the total gallons used
and/or the total time spent using each pre-rinse spray valve during each
installation period.
o Using a thermometer, measure and record the hot- and cold-water temperatures
from a separate faucet (not using the pre-rinse spray valve) at the establishment
at the beginning of each installation period.
o Using a thermometer, measure and record the outlet water temperature from
each pre-rinse spray valve at the beginning of each installation period.
At the end of each installation period, dishwashers should be interviewed briefly to
assess user satisfaction, answering at least the following questions:
o Were you satisfied with the pre-rinse spray valve?
o What did you like or dislike about the valve?
o Did you have to adjust the water temperature at all while using the valve? If so,
did you adjust it to make the water hotter or colder? Why?
Establishment managers should provide the following business information for each
installation period:
o Number of customers served
o Any information about atypical business (i.e., special events)
Data to provide to EPA:
Background information regarding the facility and installation conditions at each site,
including:
o Inside hose diameter and hose length;
o Hot water and cold water spigot descriptions (combined, separate, etc.);
o Hot and cold water temperature (from a separate faucet);
o Pre-rinse spray valve outlet temperature;
o One photograph of the pre-rinse spray unit set up from each establishment;
o Existing pre-rinse spray valve make and model; and
o Existing pre-rinse spray valve measured flow rate, flowing water pressure, static
water pressure, and total baseline water and/or time usage recorded during the
pre-installation period.
Make, model, and measured flow rate of each pre-rinse spray valve being tested and
flowing water pressure, static water pressure, outlet water temperature, and total water
and/or time usage recorded for each tested pre-rinse spray valve during each installation
period.
Hot and cold water temperature (from a separate faucet) collected during each
installation period.
A description of the random pre-rinse spray valve installation order for each
establishment (schedule matrix would suffice).
Responses to the survey of dishwashers (one for the existing spray valve and one for
each tested model) and responses to the survey questions from each establishment
manager (for baseline and each separate installation period).
July 10, 2009
------- |