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AA/3tCrSCTISC	WaterSense Draft Specification for Showerheads
WaterSense® Draft Specification for Showerheads
1.0 Scope and Objective
This specification establishes the criteria for showerheads labeled under the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense® program. It is applicable to showerhead fixture
fittings, inclusive of:
•	Fixed showerheads that direct water onto a user (excluding body sprays) for bathing
purposes; and
•	Hand-held showers, a subset of showerheads that are moveable devices for directing
water onto a user. Hand-held showers can be installed on a support to function as a
fixed showerhead.
This specification is designed to ensure both sustainable, efficient water use and a high level of
user satisfaction with showerhead performance.
2.0 General Requirements
2.1	The showerhead shall conform to applicable requirements in ASME
A112.18.1/CSA B125.1.1
2.2	If the showerhead has more than one mode, all modes must meet the maximum
flow rate requirement outlined in Section 3.1.1 and at least one of the modes, as
specified by the manufacturer, must meet all of the requirements outlined in this
specification.
2.3	The showerhead shall not be packaged, marked, or provided with instructions
directing the user to an alternative water-use setting that would override the
maximum flow rate, as established by this specification. Any instruction related to
the maintenance of the product, including changing or cleaning shower head
components, shall direct the user on how to return the product to its intended
maximum flow rate.
3.0 Water-Efficiency Criteria
3.1 The flow rate of the showerhead shall be tested in accordance with the
procedures in ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and shall meet the following criteria:
3.1.1 The manufacturer shall specify a maximum flow rate value (rated flow) of
the showerhead. This specified value must be equal to or less than 2.0
gallons per minute (gpm) (7.6 liters per minute [Lpm]).
1 References to this and other standards apply to the most current version of those standards.
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AA/3tCrSCTISC	WaterSense Draft Specification for Showerheads
3.1.2	The maximum flow rate shall be the highest value obtained through
testing at flowing pressures of 20, 45, and 80 ± 1 pounds per square inch
(psi) (140, 310, and 550 ± 7 kilopascal [kPa]). This maximum flow rate
shall not exceed the maximum flow rate value specified in Section 3.1.1
when evaluated in accordance with 10 CFR 430 Subpart F, Appendix B,
Step 6(b).
3.1.3	The minimum flow rate, determined through testing at a flowing pressure
of 20 ± 1 psi (140 ± 7 kPa), shall not be less than 60 percent of the
maximum flow rate value specified in Section 3.1.1 when evaluated in
accordance with 10 CFR 430 Subpart F, Appendix B, Step 6(a).
3.1.4	The minimum flow rate shall be the lowest value obtained through testing
at flowing pressures of 45 and 80 ± 1 psi (310 and 550 ± 7 kPa). This
minimum flow rate shall not be less than 75 percent of the maximum flow
rate value specified in Section 3.1.1 when evaluated in accordance with
10 CFR 430 Subpart F, Appendix B, Step 6(a).
4.0 Spray Force Criteria
4.1 The spray force of the showerhead shall be tested in accordance with the
procedures outlined in Appendix A and shall meet the following criteria:
4.1.1 The minimum spray force shall not be less than 2.0 ounces (0.56 newtons
[N]) at a pressure of 20 ± 1 psi (140 ± 7 kPa) at the inlet, when water is
flowing.
5.0 Spray Coverage Criteria
5.1 The spray coverage of the showerhead shall be tested in accordance with the
procedures outlined in Appendix B and shall meet the following criteria:
5.1.1	The total combined maximum volume of water collected in the 2- and 4-
inch (50-, 101-millimeter [mm]) annular rings shall not exceed 75 percent
of the total volume of water collected, and;
5.1.2	The total combined minimum volume of water collected in the 2-, 4-, and
6-inch (50-, 101 -, 152-mm) annular rings shall not be less than 25 percent
of the total volume of water collected.
6.0 Flow Rate Marking
6.1	The product shall be marked with the maximum flow rate value in gpm and Lpm
as specified by the manufacturer, verified through testing and in compliance with
this specification.
6.2	The product packaging shall be marked with the maximum flow rate value in gpm
and Lpm as specified by the manufacturer, verified through testing and in
compliance with this specification.
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7.0 Effective Date
This specification is effective on [TBD],
8.0 Future Specification Revisions
EPA reserves the right to revise this specification should technological and/or market changes
affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or the environment. Revisions to the specification
would be made following discussions with industry partners and other interested stakeholders.
9.0 Definitions
Definitions within ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 are included by reference
ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME PTC - American Society of Mechanical Engineers Performance Test Codes
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
CSA - Canadian Standards Association
ISA - International Society of Automation
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AA/3tCrSCTISC	WaterSense Draft Specification for Showerheads
APPENDIX A: Spray Force Procedure
A1 Showerhead Spray Force
The minimum showerhead spray force shall meet the requirements specified in Section 4.1.
A2 Test Procedure
A2.1 SetUp
The specimen shall:
(a)	Be thoroughly flushed before measuring the spray force.
(b)	Be connected to a smooth-interior pipe or tubing with a length equal to at
least 20 times the inside diameter of the pipe or tubing at the inlet(s) of
the fitting.
(c)	Be connected to a pipe or tubing of the same nominal size as the fitting
connections.
(d)	Have its standard components installed, when tested.
(e)	Have a test setup that utilizes the force balance fixture, as shown in
Figure 1, using the method in Section A2.2.
A2.2 Force Balance Method
(a)	The force balance fixture must have a means for measuring the rotation
of the balance and/or determining the point of balance.
(b)	The force balance must be calibrated using the method in Section A2.3,
in the same location where it will be used for testing.
(c)	The showerhead must be tested in accordance with Section A2.5.
(d)	The force balance fixture must be dry prior to calibrating per Section A2.3
and testing per A2.5.
(e)	The showerhead spray force exceeds the minimum force specified in
Section 4.1 when the fixture rotates within 0.1° of zero or past it.
A2.3 Force Balance Calibration
(a)	Establish the zero angle position when the target is at a 45° ±1° position
and the fixture is at a point of balance.
(b)	Position a calibrated force gage to be in perpendicular contact with the
center of the target, as shown in Figure 2.
(c)	Zero the force gage.
(d)	Place counterweights on the fixture, such that it balances a force applied
at the center and perpendicular to the target, which is equivalent to the
minimum force as specified in Section 4.1, ± 0.05 ounces, while
maintaining the 0.0 ± 0.1° position, as shown in Figure 3.
(e)	Remove the force gage from the force balance fixture.
(f)	The angle position will become a non-zero value, calibrated to the force
specified in Section 4.1.
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(g)	Remove the counterweights from the fixture and confirm the angle reads
0.0 ±0.1°. If not, repeat the calibration procedure.
(h)	Place the counterweights back onto the fixture.
A2.4 Other Test Conditions
(a)	The upstream pressure tap shall have the pressure gage located 8 ± 2
inches (in). (203 ± 51mm) before the inlet of the specimen.
(b)	Pressure tap size and configuration shall conform to ASME PTC 19.2 or
ANSI/ISA-75.02.
(c)	If a fluid meter is used to measure flow rate, the installation shall be in
accordance with ASME PTC 19.5.
(d)	The water temperature shall be 100 ± 10 °F (38 ± 6 °C) maintained for at
least one minute.
(e)	The water pressure shall be 20 ± 1 psi (140 ± 7 kPa) at the inlet when
water is flowing.
A2.5 Test Procedure
(a)	Mount the showerhead so the force target surface and showerhead
faceplate are parallel, and the center of the force target and the center of
the showerhead faceplate are aligned and 18 ± 0.25 inches (457 mm ± 6
mm) apart, measured prior to the water flowing.
(b)	I nitiate the flow of water.
(c)	Once the water flow has been initiated, the showerhead is to be adjusted
only using its standard components, such that the center of the spray
pattern aligns with the center of the force target.
(d)	If the center of the spray pattern cannot hit the center of the force target,
the showerhead does not meet the criteria for spray force as defined in
this specification.
(e)	Maintain water flow for at least one minute.
(f)	Evaluate and verify that the spray force meets the minimum value as
specified in Section 4.1.
Figure 1. Force Balance Test Apparatus2
Detailed drawings of the force balance test apparatus are available on the WaterSense Web site,
www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/showerheads.htm.
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Figure 2. Force Balance Calibration Setup
0.0 ± 0.05 oz.
0.0 ±0.1 3
FORCE GAGE
TEMPORARY
CLAMP
(optional)
TEMPORARY
WORK STAND
z-^
^— POSITION WORK STAND AND FORCE GAGE TO READ 0.0 ±
0.05 OZ. AND 0.0 ±0.1 3
Figure 3. Force Balance Calibration Procedure
FORCE GAGE
TEMPORARY
WORK STAND
2.0 ± 0.05 oz.

ADD SUFFICIENT
COUNTERWEIGHT TO
READ 2.0 ±0.05 OZ. ON
FORCE GAGE WHILE
HOLDING 0.0 ±0.1 3
READING ON ANGLE
- NOTE: TEMPORARY WORK STAND MAY BE REPOSITIONED
TO ACHIEVE 0.0 ± 0.1 ? ANGLE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT
IMPACTING CALIBRATION
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AA/3tCrSCTISC	WaterSense Draft Specification for Showerheads
APPENDIX B: Spray Coverage Procedure
B1 Showerhead Spray Coverage
The showerhead spray coverage shall meet the requirements specified in Section 5.1.
B2 Test Procedure
B2.1 SetUp
The specimen shall:
(a)	Be thoroughly flushed before measuring the spray coverage.
(b)	Be connected to a smooth-interior pipe or tubing with a length equal to at
least 20 times the inside diameter of the pipe or tubing at the inlet(s) of
the fitting.
(c)	Be connected to a pipe or tubing of the same nominal size as the fitting
connections.
(d)	Have its standard components installed, when tested for compliance with
the minimum and maximum spray coverage specified in Section 5.1.
(e)	Use the annular ring test setup shown in Figures 4 and 5.
B2.2 Other Test Conditions
(a)	The upstream pressure tap shall have the pressure gage located 8 ± 2 in.
(203 ± 51mm) before the inlet of the specimen.
(b)	Pressure tap size and configuration shall conform to ASME PTC 19.2 or
ANSI/ISA-75.02.
(c)	If a fluid meter is used to measure flow rate, the installation shall be in
accordance with ASME PTC 19.5.
(d)	If the volume/time method is used for the flow rate measurement, the
container shall be of sufficient size to hold the collected water for a
minimum of one minute.
(e)	The water temperature shall be 100 ± 10 °F (38 ± 6 °C) maintained for at
least one minute.
(f)	The water pressure shall be 45 ± 1 psi (310 ± 7 kPa) at the inlet when
water is flowing.
B2.3 Test Procedure
(a)	Mount the showerhead so the faceplate is horizontal and parallel with the
top surface of the annular rings.
(b)	Position the annular rings underneath the showerhead so the center line
of the faceplate and the center ring are in vertical alignment and the top of
the annular gage is 18 ± 0.25 in. (457 ± 6mm) from the faceplate (see
Figure 5).
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(c)	Initiate the flow of water, where the specified water pressure is stabilized
within two seconds.
Note: Before initiating the flow of water, if the water pressure
cannot be stabilized within two seconds, a cover may be placed
over the annular rings and then removed once the pressure has
stabilized.
(d)	Allow the water to flow through the showerhead and into the annular rings
for a minimum of one minute.
(e)	Record the measured flow rate and the time the water flowed through the
showerhead and into the annular rings to the nearest second on a
stopwatch.
(f)	Calculate the total volume collected from the measured flow rate and
time.
(g)	Collect, measure, and record the volume of water in each annular ring
and determine the total flow collected in all the rings.
(h)	Calculate and record the percentage collected in each ring to the total
recorded volume collected.
(i)	If the total volume collected varies by more than ± 5 percent of the total
volume calculated from the recorded flow rate and time, then repeat this
procedure.
(j) Evaluate and verify that the spray coverage meets the minimum and
maximum values specified in Section 5.1.
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WaterSense Draft Specification for Showerheads
Figure 4. Annular Ring Specifications



















10.00
254.0]
2.00
18.00
4.00
8.00
30.1
14.00
Notes:
1.	All dimensions in in. (mm)
2.	Tolerance: ± 0.06 in. (1.6mm)
3.	Suggested Material: 0.03 in. (0.75 mm) 304 stainless steel
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Figure 5. Annular Ring Test SetUp
I
<	\
An 18 in. rod may be used to verify
faceplate and annular ring gage are
parallel and centered.
18.00±0.25
[457.116.4]
Notes:
1. All dimensions in in. (mm)
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Appendix C: Informative Annex for WaterSense Labeling
The following requirements must be met for products to bear the WaterSense label.
1.0 Scope Clarification - Combination Showerheads
In cases where more than one showerhead or hand-held shower is provided in combination with
others in a single device intended to be connected to a single shower outlet, the product and/or
its packaging may be marked with the WaterSense label only if each showerhead (or hand-held
shower) meets all of the requirements of this specification and the entire device meets the
maximum flow rate requirement of this specification in all possible operating modes.
2.0 Additional Marking Requirements
For showerheads that bear the WaterSense label, the product packaging shall be marked with
the minimum flow value rate in gpm and Lpm at 45 psi, as specified by the manufacturer,
verified through testing and in compliance with this specification.
3.0 WaterSense Partnership
The manufacturer3 of the product must have a signed partnership agreement in place with EPA.
4.0 Conformity Assessment
Conformance to this specification must be certified by an EPA licensed certifying body
accredited in accordance with the WaterSense product certification system.
3 Manufacturer, as defined in the WaterSense Program Guidelines, means: "Any organization that
produces a product for market that might be eligible to meet WaterSense criteria for efficiency and
performance. Manufacturers may also produce 'private label' products that are sold under the brand
name of a separate organization, which is treated as a separate partner/application from the original
product manufacturer."
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