Chicago Faucets Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Here you can find the meaning of words/extensions found in the product descriptions and Product Codes on our website.
AB1953
California Assembly Bill 1953, effective January 1, 2010, regulates the lead content in plumbing products that deliver water for human consumption.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act, effective in 1992 - This act states that for faucets, handles must require no pinching or grasping, and must require less than 5 lbs. of force to operate. In addition, metering faucets must run for at least 10 seconds. Chicago Faucets offers over 150 products designed and manufactured to meet ADA requirements.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute - Gas valves are tested and certified to ANSI Z1.5A/CGA 9.1M.
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers - All Chicago Faucets plumbing supply fittings are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed the ASME A112.18.1 standard for plumbing fittings.
ASSE
American Society of Safety Engineers - Chicago Faucets pressure balancing and combination thermostati and pressure balancing shower valves comply with ASSE 1016. Chicago Faucets vacuum breakers comply with ASSE 1001 and ASSE 1035.
Body
The basic housing that allows you to build your faucet for specific applications.
Buy American Act
In 1933, the Buy American Act was signed into law, requiring the U.S. government to prefer Amerian made products in its purchases. To qualify under the Act, the product must be assembled (Made) in the USA and more than 50% of the value must be derived from parts that are American made. Over 95% of our products meet these requirements. The compliant product list can viewed here.
C-C
Center to Center - refers to the distance between the center of valve bodies, or the reach of the spout from the center of the upright to the center of the outlet.
Ceramic Cartridge
A self-contained cartridge housing two ceramic discs - Full on or off with 1/4 turn of the handle.
CHI FAU CO
An abbreviation for the Chicago Faucet Company - used on some parts.
Component
A part or sub-assembly within the part number of a fitting. This includes spouts, handles, aerators, inlets, outlet, arms and shanks.
Control-A-Flow
A water conservation cartridge that can be adjusted to provide a flow rate of 1.2 to 2.0 GPM @ 50PSI.
CP
A Chicago Faucets part number descriptor - Polished Chrome Finish.
CSA
CSA International - Most Chicago Faucets fittings are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed the applicable CSA standard.
Dashpot
A component that provides a slow or soft closure characteristic, for NAIAD cartridges.
ECAST
Plumbing products certified as manufactured with less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) total lead content by weighted average. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Flow Control
A water conservation device installed in the spout base, restricting flow to either 0.9 or 1.6 GPM.
Food Service
Products typically installed in institutional or restaurant kitchen areas.
GPM
Gallons Per Minute - The flow rate of the water.
Integral
A feature, built into the faucet or fitting.
IPS
Iron Pipe Size - a specification for tapered pipe thread used in plumbing, synonymous with NPT.
Klo-Self
A water conservation cartridge that closes upon release of the handle.
Laboratory
Products typically installed in K-12 schools, universities or professional science laboratories.
Lam-A-Flo
An outlet that provides a non-aerated solid stream of water.
Laminar Flow
A non-aerated flow of water.
LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program systematically measures the performance of an entire building by awarding points in the areas of human environmental health. Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum certification is awarded, based on meeting certain prerequisites and benchmarks.
L/min
Liters per min - The flow rate of water.
Marathon
Single Control kitchen and lavatory faucets. Chicago Faucets trademark.
MeterMix
A deck mounted lavatory metering faucet with temperature control. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Monel
A non-corrosive nickel-copper alloy - An International Nickel Co. trademark.
MVP
An adjustable metering (self-closing) cartridge. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
NAIAD
An adjustable metering (self-closing) cartridge. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
NPSM
An adjustable metering (self-closing) cartridge. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
NPT
National Pipe Taper - a specification for tapered thread used in plumbing.
NSF
NSF International - a plumbing standard that applies to the restriction of the release of toxins into a potable water system. Applies to all drinking water and lavatory faucets and states that leaching of lead into drinking water may not exceed 5 parts per billion at 1 liter dilution. Chicago Faucets has one of the largest listing of faucets certified to ANSI/NSF 61, Section 9. Your Chicago Faucets sales representative can provide you with a current and complete listing of Chicago Faucets products certified according to the ANSI/NSF 61, Section 9.
Oscillating Handle
A lever handle that operates by either pushing or pulling - typically used on urinal valves.
Outlet
An end point device typically installed on a spout that regulates water volume and changes flow patterns.
Potable Water
Water that is fit for consumption by humans and animals.
Pressure Balancing
Operational characteristic typically found in shower valves that maintains set water temperature when water pressure fluctuates, preventing scalding and thermal shock.
Pressure Balancing / Thermostatic
Operational characteristic typically found in shower valves that maintains set water temperature when water temperature or pressure fluctuates, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting, preventing scalding and thermal shock.
Quaturn
A self-contained, repairable, compression cartridge that provides drip-free performance. Full on or off with 1/4 turn of the handle. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Safety Equipment
Safety showers, eye wash units and drench hoses typically installed in any building where hazardous conditions exist.
Slo-Compression
A self-contained, repairable cartridge that provides drip-free performance. Full on or off activation in 270∞ rotation of handle.
Softflo
The trade name for a Chicago Faucets aerator.
STEDI-FLO
A water conservation fitting that restricts the waterflow at the inlet. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Tailpiece
The connecting tube between a urinal/watercloset and the china. b) The connecting tube between a waste fitting and the trap. c) A fitting used to make a compression to pipe connection.
TempShield
A trade name for a Chicago Faucets shower and tub/shower pressure balancing valve.
Tip-Tap
A trade name for a Chicago Faucets metering cartridge handle that tilts when pushed.
Vacuum Breaker
Plumbing device that prevents back siphon of water into the water system.
Water Hammer
Destructive pressure wave, evident by noise, usually the result of air in the water line or high water pressure.
Wristblade
A 4" or 6" blade handle that allows opening and closing of a valve, using wrists or elbows - Typically used in healthcare.
