8. Carriers and Supports
Fixture Carrier Selection Guide
Advantages of Wall Hung Fixtures
Off-the-floor plumbing fixtures are the most widely used plumbing fixture in commercial building today. As the name implies, no part of the fixture touches the floor of the installation. The fixture is mounted to steel studs protruding through the wall from a carrier support in the pipe chase. This carrier support is anchored to the pipe chase floor and supports the fixture load. The main advantage of wall hung fixtures is sanitation.
Installation
Floor mounted fixtures require slab penetration and sleeving at each location. By comparison, the wall hung fixture installation does not involve as many slab penetrations in the washroom. Most of the piping is installed behind the wall.
Sanitation
The most important consideration of washroom design is sanitation, the ability to maintain a clean environment. The floor mounted fixture installation directly opposes this consideration. Floor deterioration in the area of fixture contact also contributes to unsanitary conditions. Floor and fixture sanitation is easily maintained with normal cleaning.
Image Credits
- Zurn Industries (n.d.). ZF1201-ND. https://www.zurn.com/products/building-drainage/carriers-fixture-supports/water-closet-carriers/zf1201-nd