Manufacturer Spotlights

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in July, 1991 and set in place a number of accessibility standards to protect people with disabilities. The Code of Federal Register section 4.19.4 states that "Hot water and drain pipes under lavatories shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories."

Truebro, an IPS Brand, manufactures ADA protective devices to meet this requirement with molded vinyl piping covers, rigid PVC lavatory protective covers and under sink protective enclosures. These professionally designed products offer both individual component protection and complete enclosures that provide durable, aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-install solutions for todays needs.

While the Lav Guard2 soft molded, antimicrobial vinyl covers provide protection against injury from drain pipes and water shutoff valves and meet most basic installations, many of todays commercial specifications call out for electronic sensored faucets, soap dispensers, trap primers and instantaneous water heaters. All of these components pose a challenge to meet the latter part of CFR 4.19.4 -- "There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories." And for the needed protection against vandalism, the solution is the Truebro Lav Shield.

Lav Shield is a rigid, high-impact, stain-resistant PVC enclosure that is designed to meet the mandated requirements for toe and knee clearance for wheelchair users. The china white color matches all basic white china lavatory sinks and fits all ADA-conforming 20 x 18 wall-hung lavatories. The Lav Shield has UV inhibitors so the color will not fade or discolor and it is paintable with acrylic enamel or latex paint. It meets and exceeds the flammability tests in accordance with ASTM D635-91 and also contains an antimicrobial additive to resist fungal and bacterial growth making the Lav Shield an excellent cover to use in medical and health care facilities. Each enclosure comes with 7 wall anchors and stainless steel screws and tamper-resistant screws are available.

Lav Shield comes standard in an uncut design and can be easily fitted in the field to almost any china sink. For big labor savings and a perfect fit, pre-cut models can be ordered for 26 different configurations to match leading sink manufacturers designs. The top edge of the enclosure is factory cut to conform to the underside geometry of the lavatory so the finish result has that professionally installed look that architects and engineers demand.

Basin Guard is an ADA-compliant enclosure utilized with kitchen and classroom sinks or restroom lavatories where a counter top and sidewalls are present. It has almost all of the same characteristics as the Lav Shield and comes in either white or beige and is available in lengths of 36 and 42. Basin Guard can only be used with ADA-conforming sinks that have a maximum bowl depth of 6 and a rear waste outlet. These are particularly useful to conceal undersink items such as garbage disposals, dishwasher connections, trap primers, instantaneous water heaters, electronic faucet connections, etc.

In conclusion, when your requirements go beyond the basic piping covers, the Truebro Lav Shield and Basin Guard offer solutions to ADA compliance, vandal resistance and are aesthetically more appealing.