Manual, metering or sensor
How a fixture turns on decides how it is used, how it fails, and what it costs to keep running.
- Sensor faucets
- Hands-free and quick to shut off. They need batteries or power, and a sensor that is set well, or they run on or miss hands.
- Metering faucets
- Push to run, then they shut off on their own. The accessibility standard asks a hand-operated metering faucet to stay on at least 10 seconds.
- Flush valves
- Commercial toilets and urinals use flushometers, manual or sensor. They need enough water pressure and a large enough supply line, which some older buildings lack.
- Hand dryers
- No towels to stock or empty, but they need power at the wall, often their own circuit, and they cannot stick out into the walkway.