When evaluating Flow Rate requirements, the first question should not be, “What flow rate does the industry normally use?”
Instead, start with three points: where the product will be used, which market it will enter, and how that market defines and tests Flow Rate for the relevant product.
Different product categories and applications may follow different requirements. For this reason, a specific figure from one market should not become a supposed “global Faucet Flow Rate standard.”
Adjustable Water Flow Does Not Automatically Meet Market Requirements
For an adjustable water flow shower faucet, adjustable flow is a product function. However, the ability to adjust water flow and compliance with target-market requirements are two different matters.
A market may set requirements for maximum Flow Rate, specific test conditions or the performance of a particular product category. In that case, having several flow settings does not mean the product automatically complies just because one setting reaches a certain figure.
The evaluation still needs to return to the local requirements.
Which products do the rules cover? How do they define Flow Rate? What test conditions apply? Do they limit the maximum flow or specify other performance criteria?
Product development should therefore verify more than whether users can reduce the water flow. It should also confirm how the actual product performs under the required test conditions.
Different Flow Rates May Require Different Market Versions
Flow Rate is not an isolated specification.
Changing it may involve the flow restrictor, cartridge, internal waterway, showerhead or other components. These changes can also affect the relevant test documents and SKU configuration.
If one product will enter several markets, the development team needs to determine whether the same structure can meet different requirements.
If not, different components or configurations may be needed to create market-specific versions.
The U.S. EPA WaterSense requirements for showerheads provide a useful example of why Flow Rate must be considered together with product category and test conditions.
However, WaterSense requirements should not be applied directly to other countries.
For an Adjustable Water Flow Shower Faucet, the more important task is to connect the target market, applicable requirements, Flow Rate, test conditions and actual SKU during product development.
