Commercial Prerinse Spray Valves
A commercial pre-rinse spray valve is designed to remove food waste from dishes prior to dishwashing, and is often used in commercial and institutional kitchens, such as large restaurants and food service operations. Prior to loading the dishwasher, plates and dishes and utensils are manually sprayed (pre-rinsed) to remove loose or sticky food. Dishwashing typically consumes two-thirds of all large restaurant and food service operation water use. The water used in the pre-rinsing operation is often twice the volume of water used by the dishwashing equipment.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established standards for water flow rate and prescribed test procedures for commercial pre-rinse spray valves. The Department of Energy (DOE) codified the energy conservation requirements under subpart O of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 431 (10 CFR Part 431).
DOE estimates that the current water flow rate standard will save approximately 1.4 quads of energy and result in approximately $20.8 billion in energy bill savings for commercial pre-rinse spray valve equipment shipped from 2007 to 2031. Further, the standard will avoid about 75 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 14.7 million automobiles
Recent Updates | Standards | Test Procedures | Waiver, Exception, and Exemption Information | Statutory Authority | Historical Information | Contact Information
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for commercial prerinse spray valves. 81 FR 4748 (January 27, 2016). For more information please see the rulemaking webpage.
DOE has published a Federal Register notice of final rule regarding test procedures for commercial prerinse spray valves. 80 FR 81441 (December 30, 2015). For more information please see the rulemaking webpage.
Standards for Commercial Prerinse Spray Valves
The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for commercial prerinse spray valves. The text is not an official reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.
Current Standard
Commercial prerinse spray valves manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291-(16), on or after January 1, 2006, must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR Part 431.266, and shall have a flow rate of not more than 1.6 gallons per minute.
- Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 70 FR 60407 (October 18, 2005)
- Docket ID EERE-2005-0002 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents
Current Test Procedure
To determine compliance with energy conservation standards for commercial pre-rinse spray valves, under subpart O of the Code of Federal Regulations, a manufacturer is required to follow the test method prescribed under 10 CFR 431.264 for commercial pre-rinse spray valves as of January 1, 2006.
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Waivers
Test procedure waivers have not been issued for commercial pre-rinse spray valves. For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see subpart V of 10 CFR Part 431.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for commercial pre-rinse spray valves.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR Part 1003.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see subpart W of 10 CFR Part 431.
The current energy conservation standards for prerinse spray valves are mandated by Part A, the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles’’ of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) Pre-rinse spray valves are treated as a covered product under Part A. (42 U.S.C. 6295(dd))
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) amended EPCA and directed DOE to promulgate new or amended energy conservation standards for various consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment. In addition, Congress prescribed in EPACT 2005 efficiency standards, test procedures, and related definitions for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment, including commercial pre-rinse spray valves. DOE incorporated the Congressionally mandated water flow requirement for commercial pre-rinse spray valves into subpart O of 10 CFR Part 431 on October 18, 2005.
Helpful Links and Contact Information
Helpful Links
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:
commercial_pre-rinse_spray_valves@ee.doe.gov
