Giampieri Wall-Mounted Infrared Tap - MAINS Supplied - 07254.B

We've compared different types of faucets and we've found a lot of advantages of sensor taps, specially for commercial bathrooms and public toilets. You can read them in this blog post, including a few less positive considerations.

You can also check this summary:

• Advantages
  • Water conservation
  • Energy saving
  • Reducing costs in the bill
  • Easily operated by any user
  • Cut off time to prevent misuse
  • Customisation once for good
  • A cleaner washroom (no dirty handle, less splashes, no sink overflow)
  • No cross-contamination
  • No corrosion (depending on the model)
  • One remote control can adjust infinite taps

• Neutral features
  • Users will have to learn how to use them (once)
  • Maintenance is required, like any other tap
  • Batteries must be replaced

• Disadvantages
  • Greater initial investment
  • Remote control to change settings
  • Power cut would entail no operation
  • Infrared sensors can make mistakes
  • Animals activate them as well
  • Some internal parts may favour bacteria
  • More likeliness to replace the whole unit

We advise you to assess what points are more relevant and frequent according to your needs and the location of the tap.

The proximity sensors in our taps and some soap dispensers use active infrared technology: they detect the infrared radiation that a close object (in their range) reflects back. This means that hands, washroom accessories or just even dirt near them will activate them.

Furthermore, infrared sensors can misinterpret certain situations and open the solenoid valve when they are not suppose to:

• Mirrors and very reflective finishes (like polished chrome) in front of them will send confusing signals if they are closer than 1.5 metre to the tap. One must be careful for example with the elements of the basin bowl: the spout of wall-mounted sensor taps should be at least 300mm away from the bottom of the sink and not facing a shiny basin plug. Tap sensors can also react if a person is wearing striking garments.

• Other infrared sensors opposite them also imply unintended triggers.

Therefore, we encourage you to read the installation guidelines the manufacturer provides and accept that accidental unlocks are a (rare) fact.

Giampieri automatic taps follow the general specifications of these sanitary tapware regulations:

• EN 200:2008 on single and combination taps for types 1 and 2 water supply systems 
• EN 816:1997 on automatic shut-off valves
• EN 817:2009 on mechanical mixing valves 
• EN 1111:1999 on thermostatic mixing valves

Their sensors also respect these guidelines on electromagnetic compatibility:

• IEC 610000(-3-3)
• EN 61000-6-2
• EN 55022 Class B

Managing the connections of this smart tap will be safe, since they comply with the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC (amended in 1993) and the particular requirements for electrically operated water valves mentioned in EN 607320/1 and /2/8.

On average, domestic manual faucets pour 10 litres per minute. Among other differences, electronic taps emit a much lower flow that saves water. Giampieri brassware brings 6 litres/minute by default, although 4 litres and 1.89 can be requested.

The LEED worldwide certification program for green buildings rated Giampieri sensor taps with the following scores depending on their water flow:

Our sensor taps are vandal proof in several senses.

• By default, water will only flow up to 90 seconds non-stop. The tap will remain blocked until the obstruction is removed. This limit can be reduced to any amount of seconds with the remote control. 

• Every automatic tap has few and concealed pieces. Those external components, like the sensor window or the small mixer lever, are also designed for misuse resistance.

• Yellow brass (BRASS38) is highly resistant to corrosion. 

This sensor tap has one filter per water supply (included in the package), in order to be placed before the solenoid valve. Furthermore, the tap aerator in the spout will also act as a filter.

Like in any type of tap, filters must be taken out and washed regularly with running water. In particular, the solenoid valve diaphragm should be checked every 6 months.

There are two situations when the upkeep is essential:

• After the installation, since a lot of dust is spreaded during the process.

• After a water cut, this liquid will have dirt.

The main parts of this sensor tap are made of chrome plated yellow brass, which will last for a long time without corrosion if it is regularly cleaned.

To be exact, the material is an alloy of copper, iron, nickel, lead, tin, zinc and aluminium called Cu Zn38 Pb2 (CW608N), manufactured following EN 12166.

Such a combination has no surface porosity, no degradation with water and no odour transmission. 

Regarding toxicity, lead (Pb) percentage is from 1.6 to 2.5. It is lower than the maximum some countries stablish: 3.5% Italy or 5% France. Unlike cheaper faucets that have less copper and more lead, Giampieri gives preference to health.

If you are interested in other materials, the same tap can be manufactured with satin AISI 316 stainless steel with a 30% price increase. Just contact us by email (sales@ihdryers.co.uk) or phone (0114 3540047).

Automatic taps should be easily operated, as Approved Document M requires. Other requirements will be up to the installer, like fixing the basin tap at the right distance from the WC and floor or setting a safe temperature for the users.

For further details about these topics, please, read our blog post about Doc M taps.

You will be able to do it. The cable that provides the sensor tap with electricity can be connected to a compatible transformer or a battery box. 

Check the example of one Giampieri sensor tap:

By clicking here, you will access an infographic that depicts how sensor taps work.

The noise level of Giampieri sensor tabs was tested according to the German regulation DIN 4109, table 6, row 1-9.  

The measurement results of Giampieri tapware were up to 20 dB(A) for pressures under 3 bar and up to 25 dB(A) for pressures under 5 bar. They are as quiet as a library conversation.