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PROJECT
plumbing
Shower Heads, Valves Boost University’s Green Mission A retrofit of locker-room plumbing fixtures helps Sonoma State Univ. achieve its conservation and sustainability goals.
L
ocated 40 mi. north of San Francisco, Sonoma
In addition, on an as-needed basis, the university is
State Univ. has more than 9,000 students, 1,500
swapping out worn, leaking plastic shower-valve car-
employees, and more than 2 million sq. ft. of ed-
tridges with more than 1,000 heavy-duty brass replace-
ucational and residential buildings. Located in the heart
ment cartridges across all of the student-housing com-
of California’s wine country, the university’s rural setting
plexes on campus.
in Rohnert Park influences the institution’s long associa-
The vandal-resistant showerheads boast a highly
tion with conservation and sustainability. These two mis-
reflective chrome finish and feature a design that uses
sions are major reasons why the university—recognized by
less water without sacrificing performance. Water
Princeton Review as having one of the nation’s 12 most
flows through an engineered-polymer channel for in-
green campuses—has opted to upgrade plumbing hard-
stant, consistent flow, and the spray pattern is designed
ware in its shower rooms.
to maximize force while saving water. The valves were
Original plumbing hardware in the locker and shower rooms in the 65,985-sq.-ft. physical-education
fitted with lever handles that match the brushed stainless-steel enclosure.
building needed replacement, and the SSU facilities
In addition to the shower retrofits, Moen’s heavy-du-
management plumbing shop was looking for a cost-ef-
ty brass cartridges are being added as needed through-
fective yet high-quality retrofit. The campus was expe-
out the campus to replace leaking plastic cartridges. The
riencing significant water loss due to leaks from the
leaks mainly are a consequence of well water that con-
40-yr.-old column showers with their inefficient show-
tains high levels of calcium, magnesium, and silica.
erheads and worn-out valves.
Over time, this hard water wears down plastic. The
Kevin Davis, SSU lead plumber, proposed researching and developing a time and materials cost-savings plan for less-steel hexagonal enclosure that would retrofit the exist-
campus is excellent, it does contain measurable
ing column showers and equip them with six valves/col-
amounts of calcium and silica which, in combination,
umn. Davis turned to Moen, North Olmsted, OH, to
pose challenges to the wetted surfaces of all plumbing
discuss the proposed retrofit and ultimately chose the
fixtures,” explained Davis. “We are very pleased with
firm’s vandal-resistant showerheads.
the performance of the new cartridges with their ro-
Campus decision makers added 32 Moen Commer-
bust design. It is a perfect fit for an institution like
cial single-handle, pressure-balancing shower valves,
Sonoma State Univ., where there are hundreds of
along with 18 Commercial M-Dura chrome shower-
shower valves that must perform effectively and effi-
heads, in the center’s men’s and women’s locker rooms.
ciently year-round across the campus.” CBP
JUL/AUG 2014
www.cbpmagazine.com
Above, right. Vandal-resistant showerheads have a highly reflective chrome finish and feature a design that uses less water without sacrificing performance. Water flows through an engineered-polymer channel for instant, consistent flow, and the spray pattern is designed to maximize force while saving water.
durable. “While the quality of potable water delivered to the
COMMERCI A L BUIL DING P RODUC T S
Above, middle. In addition to locker-room shower upgrades, on an asneeded basis, the university is swapping out worn, leaking plastic shower-valve cartridges with more than 1,000 heavy-duty brass replacement cartridges across the campus student-housing complexes.
brass cartridges, on the other hand, have proven more
the showers. Davis was able to design a 14-gal. stain-
16
Above, left. Located in the heart of California’s wine country, Sonoma State Univ.’s rural setting in Rohnert Park influences the institution’s long association with conservation and sustainability.
DATA CACHE Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/julaug2014.
Circle 10 on the Reader Service Card. Download a spec sheet on the vandal-proof showerhead. Watch a video about Moen commercial products.
