AgdaPkt 2004-09-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�' 1✓�� Executive Summary Although virtually all toilet models sold in Canada and the U.S. .meet both the flush volume and performance requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ANSUASME), there remains some question as to whether models that meet the minimum certification requirements meet the expectations of the consumer. What's more, since certification testing offers only a pass/fail grading, there is currently no easy way to distinguish between superior and marginal toilet models available in the market. Although other toilet performance studies have been completed, none of these have been performed using test media as realistic as that used in this test, nor has a quantifiable performance benchmark — based on the results of relevant medical data — been established. The Maximum Performance (MaP) testing project was developed to identify how well popular toilets models perform using a realistic test media, and to grade each toilet model based on this performance. A soybean paste having similaz physical properties (density, moisture content) to human waste was used in combination with toilet paper as the test media. In addition to using a realistic test media, all toilet samples rated at 6 litres (1.6 gallons) were adjusted to flush at that volume prior to testing to ensure a level playing field. The developed testing protocol required the soybean paste to be extruded through a 7/8-inch (22mm) die and cut into 50-gram specimens (each specimen approximately 100mm or 4-inches in length). Toilet models were subjected to progressively larger loadings (in 50-gram increments) until the unit failed to completely clear the bowl in at least two of three attempts. Two groups of toilet models were tested as part of this program — the first group was comprised of production models (two samples of each) purchased `off the shelf , while the second group included single samples, samples provided by the manufacturer, or prototype models. All toilet samples, however, were subjected to the same test protocol. As stated earlier, it was important to identify a performance benchmark level for acceptable solids flushing performance. The results of a British medical study (Variability of Colonic Function in Healthy Subjects) were used to establish this benchmark level at 250 grams — the average maximum fecal size of the male participants in the study. The results of the MaP testing were quite remarkable in their variance. Approximately 45% of the group of models purchased `off the shelf failed to meet the 250-gram performance criteria. WhaYs more, while some popular modeis struggled to clear 100g, others removed more than 900g. The results of the adjustable flapper replacement testing illustrated that common 2-inch (SOmm) replacement flappers cannot be installed on all toilet models (e.g., models that utilize non standard- sized flappers, pressure-assist models, and models where existing trim components interfere with replacement flapper operation). What's more, the results also show that it is not always possible to adjust these flappers to obtain the rated flush volume (generally 6litres / 1.6 gallons). _ _ _ _ _ _.. . _ .._..__ _ _