A Spec-Ready Alternative to Trap Primers: Code-Compliant in 46+ States
Green Drain is a barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device listed under ASSE 1072-2020. It provides a code-compliant alternative to ASSE 1018/1044 trap primers with no water supply line, no power, and minimal maintenance. IAPMO R&T tested. cUPC listed. CE certified. Available in all 8 sizes from 1.25" to 6".
Who this page is for.
This page provides the technical data, certification details, test results, and specification guidance needed to evaluate and specify Green Drain as a barrier-type waterless trap seal protection device. All claims are backed by published test reports and third-party certifications.
Plumbing Engineers
You need IAPMO R&T test data, ASSE 1072-2020 compliance details, and flow rate specifications to evaluate this device against trap primer alternatives. The performance data and certification scope are documented below.
Architects
You are specifying drain infrastructure for new construction or renovation projects. Green Drain is cUPC listed, ASSE 1072-2020 compliant, and can be specified under CSI MasterFormat section 22 13 16. Model coverage spans all standard floor drain sizes.
Specification Writers
You need CSI-format language, submittal data, and certification references for project specifications. Green Drain provides a downloadable specification pack with all required documentation for inclusion in construction documents.
Design-Build Firms
You need a single device that covers all floor drain sizes, simplifies specification, and eliminates the water supply coordination required by trap primer systems. Green Drain retrofits into existing drain bodies and specs into new construction with no additional infrastructure.
Understanding the code path: ASSE 1072 vs. ASSE 1018/1044.
Every floor drain in a commercial building has a P-trap designed to hold water as a barrier against sewer gas. That water evaporates over time, especially in low-use drains, mechanical rooms, seasonal spaces, and renovation zones. Plumbing codes require that trap seals be maintained, and they recognize two approaches to accomplishing this.
The first approach is the trap primer, covered under ASSE 1018 (trap primer valves) and ASSE 1044 (trap primer systems). These devices add water to the P-trap at regular intervals to replace what evaporates. They require a potable water supply connection, a distribution line to each drain, and ongoing maintenance to ensure valves remain functional. A single trap primer can consume over 52,000 gallons of water annually.
Code Path Comparison
Side-by-side showing barrier device
vs. trap primer water supply requirements
~760 x 400px
The second approach is the barrier-type device, covered under ASSE 1072-2020. These devices physically seal the drain opening with a one-way valve, allowing water to flow down while blocking gas, odor, and organisms from traveling back up. No water supply connection is required. No power. Minimal maintenance. The device works with the existing P-trap by supplementing the water seal with a mechanical barrier.
Green Drain does not replace the P-trap.
This is an important distinction. Green Drain drops into the drain body above the P-trap and works with the existing plumbing infrastructure. The P-trap remains in place and continues to function as designed. The Green Drain valve adds a second layer of protection: a mechanical seal that does not depend on water level. If the trap water evaporates, the valve maintains the barrier. If the trap water is present, the valve provides redundancy.
Where the device fits in construction documents
For CSI MasterFormat specifications, Green Drain is specified under section 22 13 16 (Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping). The recommended specification language is: "Barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device per ASSE 1072-2020, cUPC listed, IAPMO File 9301." Green Drain provides CSI-format submittal packages, test reports, and certification documentation for inclusion in project specifications.
Retrofit and new construction
Green Drain installs in approximately 30 seconds per drain. Remove the grate, drop the device into the drain body, press to seat the silicone gasket, and replace the grate. No tools required. No modifications to the plumbing system. This makes it suitable for both new construction specification and retrofit projects where trap primer infrastructure is aging, failing, or not present.
Patent protection
Green Drain technology is protected by U.S. Patents 7,900,288, 9,027,172, and 10,724,218. The patented silicone valve design provides the one-way mechanical seal that differentiates Green Drain from other trap seal approaches. Third-party testing by DTI, CRT, SGS, and IAPMO R&T confirms performance claims.
IAPMO R&T Test Data
The following performance data was verified by IAPMO Research and Testing under ASSE 1072-2020 test protocols. Results are published under IAPMO File 9301.
Why trap primers create specification challenges.
Water Supply Coordination
Every trap primer requires a potable water supply line routed to the drain location. In buildings with hundreds of floor drains, this means hundreds of additional water connections, distribution lines, and backflow considerations. The coordination burden increases project complexity and cost.
Maintenance Liability
Trap primer valves are mechanical or electronic devices with moving parts, mineral deposit accumulation, and finite service lives. When they fail, the trap dries out and the pathway opens. Facilities that specify trap primers accept an ongoing maintenance obligation for the life of the building.
Water Consumption
A single trap primer can consume over 52,000 gallons per year. For buildings pursuing LEED, WELL, or other sustainability certifications, this water consumption runs counter to conservation goals. Green Drain uses zero water, zero power, and provides measurable reduction in building water use.
How Green Drain simplifies specification.
A one-way silicone valve that drops into the existing floor drain body. Water flows down normally. The valve physically blocks gas, odor, pests, and organisms from traveling back up through the drain. No water supply connection. No power. Minimal maintenance. One device covers the trap seal requirement for the life of the building.
Green Drain valve in drain body
Open (water flowing) vs. Closed (sealed)
~900 x 360px
Water supply connections
No potable water line to coordinate. No distribution piping. No backflow prevention. Eliminates the most significant infrastructure requirement of trap primer specification.
Installation per drain
Remove grate, drop in device, press to seat gasket, replace grate. No tools, no adhesives, no modifications to the plumbing system. Works with existing drain bodies and P-traps.
Models cover all sizes
GD125 through GD6 cover every standard floor drain pipe diameter from 1.25" (DN32) to 6" (DN150). One product line for the entire project specification.
States accepted
cUPC listed under IAPMO File 9301. Accepted under both IPC and UPC code frameworks. Confirm local acceptance with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Model coverage: all 8 sizes.
Green Drain covers every standard floor drain pipe diameter used in commercial, institutional, and industrial construction. All models share the same patented silicone valve design and certification portfolio.
GD125
1.25" pipe diameter (DN32). Compact drains in residential and light commercial applications. Condensate drains, small floor sinks.
1.25" / DN32GD15
1.5" pipe diameter (DN40). Shower drains, laundry drains, small floor drains in residential and light commercial projects.
1.5" / DN40GD2
2" pipe diameter (DN50). Restroom floor drains, patient room drains, classroom drains, office building drains. One of the most common sizes in commercial construction.
2" / DN50GD3
3" pipe diameter (DN80). Utility rooms, kitchens, corridors, healthcare. The model with published SGS pathogen aerosol testing data.
3" / DN80GD35
3.5" pipe diameter (DN90). Specialized floor drains, trough drains, food service areas. Bridges the gap between 3" and 4" installations.
3.5" / DN90GD4
4" pipe diameter (DN100). The most common commercial floor drain size. Kitchens, mechanical rooms, loading docks, gymnasiums, industrial areas.
4" / DN100GD5
5" pipe diameter (DN125). Large utility drains, equipment wash areas, central plant drains, industrial floor drains.
5" / DN125GD6
6" pipe diameter (DN150). Central plant drains, large mechanical room floor drains, equipment pads, industrial applications.
6" / DN150All 8 Green Drain models
GD125 through GD6 side by side
~580 x 380px
Green Drain seated in drain body
with grate replaced, flush finish
~580 x 380px
Certification and compliance summary.
Green Drain carries the most comprehensive certification portfolio of any waterless trap seal device on the market. The following certifications support specification across domestic and international projects.
cUPC / ASSE 1072-2020
IAPMO File 9301. Barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device. IAPMO R&T tested: 32g opening force, 73 GPM maximum flow rate (GD4), 2,500+ cycle life, >96% evaporation reduction. Accepted in 46+ U.S. states and Canadian provinces under IPC and UPC.
CE / ETA-18/0536
European Technical Assessment. 200 Pa odour tightness, Class A thermal resistance, mechanical resistance exceeding 400 Pa, tested flow rates. Supports specification on European and international projects.
WaterMark (WM-022837)
Australian certification for GD2, GD3, and GD4 models. Required for plumbing product acceptance in Australian and New Zealand markets.
NSF/ANSI 2 + HACCP International
Material safety certification for food-contact environments. HACCP International endorsement (Certificate RG-04). Supports specification in food service, healthcare kitchen, and food processing facility projects.
SGS Pathogen Aerosol Test
Greater than 99.9% viral aerosol blockage (MS2 bacteriophage, ATCC 15597-B1). Report QDF25-0049710-01. CNAS L0604 accredited laboratory. Relevant for healthcare, laboratory, and sensitive facility specification.
California Proposition 65 Compliant
Green Drain materials are compliant with California Proposition 65 requirements. No warning labeling required for California projects.
DTI and CRT Testing
Independent third-party testing by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and Centre de Recherche Technologique (CRT) confirming mechanical performance, seal integrity, and durability metrics.
Code and standards reference.
The following standards and code references support the specification of Green Drain as a barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device.
ASSE 1072-2020: Barrier-Type Floor Drain Trap Seal Protection Devices
The primary performance standard for waterless trap seal devices. Defines requirements for opening force, flow rate, cycle life, evaporation reduction, and seal integrity. Green Drain is tested and listed under this standard. Specify by referencing ASSE 1072-2020 as the performance standard.
ASSE 1018 / ASSE 1044: Trap Primer Valves and Systems
The standards covering water-based trap seal maintenance devices. ASSE 1072 provides an alternative code path that eliminates the water supply, distribution, and maintenance requirements of ASSE 1018/1044 systems. Both approaches are recognized methods for maintaining trap seal integrity.
CSI MasterFormat 22 13 16: Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping
The recommended MasterFormat section for Green Drain specification. Specify as: "Barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device per ASSE 1072-2020, cUPC listed, IAPMO File 9301." Green Drain provides CSI-format specification language upon request.
IPC and UPC Recognition
Both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) recognize barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection devices as an accepted method for maintaining trap seal integrity. cUPC listing confirms product compliance with these code frameworks.
Complete product line for specification.
All 8 models share the same patented silicone valve design, the same certification portfolio, and the same installation method. Select by pipe diameter to match your project requirements.
1.25" Waterless Trap Seal (DN32)
Condensate drains, small floor sinks, compact drain applications
1.5" Waterless Trap Seal (DN40)
Shower drains, laundry drains, small floor drains
2" Waterless Trap Seal (DN50)
Restroom drains, patient rooms, classroom drains, office buildings
3" Waterless Trap Seal (DN80)
Utility rooms, corridors, healthcare. SGS pathogen tested model.
3.5" Waterless Trap Seal (DN90)
Specialized drains, trough drains, food service areas
4" Waterless Trap Seal (DN100)
Most common commercial size. Kitchens, mechanical rooms, gymnasiums.
5" Waterless Trap Seal (DN125)
Large utility drains, equipment wash areas, central plant drains
6" Waterless Trap Seal (DN150)
Central plant drains, large mechanical rooms, industrial applications
Specification Pack
Everything you need to specify Green Drain on your next project. Submittals, test reports, certification summaries, and CSI-format specification guidance in a single downloadable package.
- CSI MasterFormat specification language (22 13 16)
- IAPMO R&T test report summary
- Certification matrix (cUPC, CE, WaterMark, NSF, HACCP, SGS)
- Model sizing guide with DN equivalents for all 8 models
Frequently asked questions.
What is ASSE 1072 and how does it apply to waterless trap seals?
ASSE 1072-2020 is the American Society of Sanitary Engineering standard for barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection devices. It defines performance requirements including opening force, flow rate, cycle life, and evaporation reduction. Green Drain is tested and listed under this standard (IAPMO File 9301). ASSE 1072 devices provide an alternative code path to ASSE 1018 (trap primer valves) and ASSE 1044 (trap primer systems) for maintaining trap seal integrity.
How does ASSE 1072 compare to ASSE 1018 and ASSE 1044?
ASSE 1018 covers trap primer valves and ASSE 1044 covers trap primer systems. Both require a water supply connection, mechanical or electronic components, and ongoing maintenance. ASSE 1072 covers barrier-type devices that physically seal the drain opening without water, power, or maintenance. Both code paths are recognized methods for maintaining trap seal integrity under the IPC and UPC. The choice depends on project requirements, sustainability goals, and long-term maintenance considerations.
What CSI MasterFormat section should Green Drain be specified under?
Green Drain can be specified under CSI MasterFormat section 22 13 16 (Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping). The recommended specification language is: "Barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device per ASSE 1072-2020, cUPC listed, IAPMO File 9301." Green Drain provides CSI-format specification language and submittal packages upon request as part of the downloadable Specification Pack.
Is Green Drain accepted under both the IPC and UPC?
Yes. Green Drain is cUPC listed (IAPMO File 9301) and accepted in 46+ U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The device is recognized under both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as a barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device per ASSE 1072-2020. Local jurisdiction acceptance should be confirmed with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
What IAPMO R&T test data is available for Green Drain?
IAPMO R&T testing confirmed: 32g (approximately 1.1 oz) opening force, 73 GPM maximum flow rate (GD4), 2,500+ cycle life without degradation, and greater than 96% evaporation reduction. These results are published under IAPMO File 9301 and verify compliance with ASSE 1072-2020 performance requirements. Full test report summaries are included in the downloadable Specification Pack.
Does Green Drain have international certifications for global projects?
Yes. In addition to cUPC/ASSE 1072-2020 listing, Green Drain holds CE marking with European Technical Assessment ETA-18/0536 (200 Pa odour tightness, Class A thermal resistance, mechanical resistance exceeding 400 Pa), WaterMark certification WM-022837 for Australia (GD2, GD3, GD4), and SGS testing data. These certifications support specification on international projects across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
What are the Green Drain patent numbers?
Green Drain technology is protected by U.S. Patents 7,900,288; 9,027,172; and 10,724,218. The patented silicone valve design provides the one-way mechanical seal that differentiates Green Drain from other trap seal approaches. Third-party testing by DTI, CRT, SGS, and IAPMO R&T confirms performance claims.
Can Green Drain be retrofit into existing floor drains?
Yes. Green Drain drops into the existing drain body without tools, adhesives, or modifications to the plumbing system. The device works with your existing P-trap infrastructure by adding a mechanical seal that supplements the water seal. Installation takes approximately 30 seconds per drain. This makes it suitable for both new construction specification and retrofit projects where trap primer infrastructure is aging, failing, or unavailable.
Simplify the spec. Eliminate the maintenance.
Trap primers have been the default specification for maintaining trap seal integrity in commercial construction. They work, but they come with infrastructure requirements, maintenance obligations, water consumption, and failure modes that create ongoing liability for the building owner.
Green Drain provides an alternative code path under ASSE 1072-2020 that eliminates the water supply connection, eliminates the maintenance, and provides a mechanical seal that works continuously for the life of the installation. The device works with existing P-traps. It supplements your plumbing system rather than replacing it.
Eight models cover every standard floor drain size. One product line for the entire project. cUPC listed, CE certified, WaterMark approved. The specification data is here. The test reports are available. The device is ready for your next project.
Ready to specify Green Drain on your next project?
Request the specification pack, get a project quote, or talk to a technical representative.