Design · Specification · Application
The specification desk
Technical &
Specification
Connect bathroom design with the details behind the installation. Review dimensions, flow, controls, connections, and the documents that support a clear fixture specification.
Start with the installation
Specify the complete arrangement.
A fixture specification connects the visible product with its mounting, water supply, controls, drainage, and maintenance access. Coordinate those requirements with the room layout before finalizing finishes or ordering components. Use the Bathroom Fixtures guide to identify the fixture family, then use this page to document the technical requirements.
Basin & faucet
Coordinate the water landing zone.
Compare the basin and faucet drawings together. Review mounting height, spout reach, handle movement, and the position of the outlet relative to the bowl.
- Confirm the faucet-hole arrangement.
- Check countertop thickness and mounting access.
- Review drain type and overflow compatibility.
Additional coordination notes
For wall-mounted faucets, establish the finished wall face and basin position before setting the rough-in. Keep shutoffs, traps, and connections accessible within the vanity arrangement.
Shower & controls
Plan the outlets as a system.
Identify the head, handheld, body sprays, valve, and diverter as one coordinated assembly. Confirm which outlets can operate together and how the user selects them.
- Check compatible rough-in and trim components.
- Review published flow and pressure requirements.
- Confirm wall depth and servicing access.
Additional coordination notes
Temperature control, volume control, and outlet selection can be separate functions. Follow the selected system’s installation guide to establish the control arrangement and supply requirements.
Touchless equipment
Coordinate the sensor and power.
Review the sensor faucet together with its power source, valve equipment, supply connections, and mixing arrangement. Use the exact model’s equipment layout.
- Identify battery or transformer requirements.
- Check the sensor setting and basin relationship.
- Allow access to filters, solenoids, and connections.
Additional coordination notes
Confirm where the control equipment is installed and how it can be serviced. During commissioning, test activation with the installed basin, lighting conditions, and the intended handwashing position.
The specification checklist
Record the fields that affect installation.
Use a consistent schedule for each selected fixture. Record manufacturer-published information for the exact model, finish, and configuration; identify missing information before issuing the schedule.
| Field | What to record | Coordination check |
|---|---|---|
| Product identity | Manufacturer, collection, model code, finish code, and selected configuration. | Keep the same identifiers on drawings, schedules, submittals, and purchase orders. |
| Flow & pressure | Flow in GPM and L/min at the published test pressure; operating pressure limits where stated. | Compare the documented conditions with the available supply and intended outlet combinations. |
| Dimensions & mounting | Overall height, spout reach, hole spacing, mounting depth, cutouts, and allowable deck thickness. | Check against the basin, countertop, finished wall, and required working space. |
| Connections | Inlet and outlet sizes, connection types, supply arrangement, and drainage connections. | Distinguish thread or fitting type from nominal pipe size; coordinate adapters explicitly. |
| Valve & cartridge | Compatible rough-in, trim, cartridge type, and temperature-control method. | Confirm compatibility using the manufacturer’s documentation; a shared finish or brand is not enough. |
| Shower functions | Number of outlets, selector arrangement, volume control, and simultaneous-use limitations. | Coordinate the valve configuration, outlet positions, and total demand for the permitted operating modes. |
| Sensor & power | Detection settings, power source, transformer rating, battery type, and control equipment. | Provide access for servicing and coordinate any required electrical connection with the installation guide. |
| Materials & finish | Published body and wetted-material descriptions, finish designation, and care instructions. | Compare finish samples and cleaning requirements across the specified products. |
| Drain & overflow | Drain assembly, overflow compatibility, outlet location, and included waste fittings. | Coordinate the basin or tub configuration and the accessible route to service connections. |
| Listings & certifications | Model-specific certification, applicable standard, listing record, and supporting documentation. | Verify the selected model against the project requirements and current listing information. |
| Support & service | Installation guide, parts diagram, warranty terms, and manufacturer support details. | Retain the documents and identify how concealed components and replacement parts can be accessed. |
For U.S. liquid units, L/min = GPM × 3.78541. A converted flow value does not replace the manufacturer’s stated test pressure, tolerance, or operating limits.
Official manufacturer references
Categories, products, and installation resources.
Use category pages to research the range and product pages to identify the selected model. Open the manufacturer’s specifications, installation instructions, and parts information where provided. For broader manufacturer comparison, continue to the Bathroom Brands guide.
| Manufacturer | Category reference | Product or installation reference | Review focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohler | Purist bathroom sink faucets ↗ | Purist K-14402-4 ↗ | Mounting arrangement, dimensions, finish selection, and available technical documents. |
| Delta | Bathroom fixtures ↗ | Trinsic 559LF-PNMPU ↗ | Documents & Specs, installation arrangement, flow conditions, and parts information. |
| FontanaShowers | Touchless faucets ↗ | SafeTouchless FS2140CP ↗ | Sensor operation, mounting dimensions, power arrangement, and equipment requirements. |
| BathSelect | Complete shower systems ↗ | LED ceiling shower BS-90518 ↗ | Outlet layout, control arrangement, and the installation documentation for the selected package. |
| JunoShowers | Product catalog ↗ | Wall-mount rainfall shower S145 ↗ | Mounting arrangement, outlet functions, selected finish, and included components. |
| American Standard | Bathroom sink faucets ↗ | Town Square S single-handle faucet ↗ | Selected variant, mounting information, drain arrangement, and downloadable documents. |
| Moen | Bathroom faucets ↗ | 90 Degree S6705 ↗ | Dimensions, mounting, finish variant, related parts, and available product support. |
BathSelect BS-90518 installation reference ↗
Product references are research examples. Confirm the current model, selected finish, included components, and applicable documents before specifying a product.
Standards & certification resources
Match the reference to the requirement.
Check the project’s adopted codes, required standard editions, and product-specific documentation. Use the official resources below to understand scope and locate supporting information.
| Reference | Research purpose | Official resource |
|---|---|---|
| ADA lavatories & sinks | Review clear floor space, knee and toe clearance, reach, operable parts, and protection around exposed pipes. Accessibility depends on the installed arrangement. | U.S. Access Board guide ↗ |
| ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 | Review the scope of plumbing supply fittings and the edition required by the project. | ASME standard overview ↗ |
| ASSE temperature-control devices | Distinguish individual shower compensation, distribution mixing, and fixture temperature-limiting functions when reviewing the selected valve. | ASSE application guidance PDF ↗ |
| NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 | Research drinking-water system component health-effects certification and the listing for the selected product. | NSF drinking-water component directory ↗ |
| NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 | Research lead-content certification. Review the listing separately from other performance or health-effects requirements. | NSF lead-content directory ↗ |
| EPA WaterSense | Review the applicable product specification and verify the selected model’s label information. | WaterSense product specifications ↗ |
A standards overview or application guide does not establish a product’s certification. Check the exact model’s listing and the edition adopted for the project.
Submittals & handover
Keep the document set connected.
Organize the approved product information around the same model codes used in the fixture schedule.
Before ordering
- Confirm model, finish, and selected variant.
- Check dimension and connection drawings.
- Identify separately ordered components.
- Resolve compatibility and listing questions.
During installation
- Use the selected model’s installation guide.
- Coordinate finished surfaces and rough-in positions.
- Keep service components accessible.
- Record permitted control and sensor settings.
At handover
- Retain approved specifications and installation guides.
- Provide parts diagrams and care instructions.
- Record model codes and installed configurations.
- Include applicable warranty and support contacts.
Specification questions
Clarify the details before installation.
Is a product page enough for a fixture specification?
Use the product page to identify the model, then retain the specification sheet, installation guide, and relevant parts information. Confirm selected options and separately required components.
Can similar shower trim be used with any concealed valve?
Confirm the exact valve-to-trim compatibility using manufacturer documentation. Appearance, finish, and brand identity alone do not establish compatibility.
Does low flow alone establish WaterSense certification?
Check the model’s WaterSense label information against the applicable EPA product specification. A flow figure alone does not establish certification.
How should missing technical information be handled?
Identify the missing field and request written clarification for the exact model from the manufacturer. Retain the response with the submittal rather than inferring values from a similar product.
What should be coordinated for a sensor faucet?
Review the faucet and basin relationship, detection settings, power supply, mixing arrangement, valve equipment, filters, connections, and maintenance access using the selected model’s documents.