Automatic faucets and loss of power

[jar546]

If a group of automatic faucets looses power due to tripped breaker, low voltage transformer going bad, etc. the occupants have no way to wash their hands in a commercial setting such as an A-3, B, etc.

Anyway I cannot find anything that would require at least 1 manual faucet in a bathroom.

This subject recently came up with an electrician who was called in because of a problem like this.

Thoughts:

 

[mark handler]

Re: Automatic faucets and loss of power

There is nothing in the code that requires a manual faucet or a battery backup.

How often do you have power outages?

Is the building habital, without power?

 

[Dr. J]

Re: Automatic faucets and loss of power

No code requirement. Just as there is no code requirement for an alternate means to supply water in a building with a booster pump or well pump.

This is one of the reasons I prefer the battery units - they all don't fail at the same time, and never have power so aren't missing anything during a power loss. There are other pros and cons regarding battery vs hardwired IR faucets, and I usually side with the battery options, even in new construction. The only real downside is battery disposal, but life expectancy of batteries in that application is several years.