Symmons Blog

Meet the Engineer Behind Symmons AirGap: Steve Ferreira

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This week, we are pleased to present our interview with Steve Ferreira, Symmons Design Engineer and member of our Design Studio™, as he shares how he and his team integrated an AirGap device into a kitchen faucet without sacrificing design.

Name: Steve Ferreira

Role at Symmons: Design Engineer

In layman’s terms, what is an AirGap? This is a fixture added to your kitchen countertop, which is connected to your dishwasher and the main drain. The AirGap provides backflow prevention for a dishwasher.

Why is it important? In the event of a clog in the drain, or a complete loss in pressure or power, the AirGap will empty the contaminated (dirty) water into the sink, preventing this water from siphoning back into the dishwasher or the water supply.

Which states require AirGap? Air gap devices are required by law in 14 states and counting. These include Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Washington.

What was your role in creating this faucet? I served as the Lead Design Engineer in integrating a standard single handle kitchen faucet along with the Air gap device. A series of prototypes were developed and tested. We then had a beta test set up at the customer site to review the performance of the AirGap faucet to make sure it would perform to their expectations.

What is the differentiator between the Symmons product and the rest of the AirGap devices on the market? The Symmons kitchen faucet has an AirGap device which is integrated directly into the faucet itself. Having this all-in-one solution provides a much cleaner and neater look, and will alleviate drilling an extra hole into countertops saving time and money. Symmons is the only faucet manufacturer with an AirGap integrated into a Kitchen Faucet; and we hold the patent.

What finishes are available for the AirGap faucet? Polished Chrome, Stainless Steel Radiance® PVD and Polished Nickel Radiance® PVD.

What’s one thing you love most about working at Symmons? Working with the people here at Symmons, there are a lot of good things I could add but this is the first thing that stands out!

Favorite part about your job at Symmons? Creating/designing product that you can see in a store or in a hotel you may be staying at.

Favorite hobby outside of work? I like to spend time with family and friends. I’m also not afraid to get my hands dirty so if someone needs a hand, whatever it may be, I will gladly help.

If you were moving to a desert island and could only take three items, what would they be? This is a tough one! Let’s start out with shelter/tent, boat and matches.

Want to learn more about our successful AirGap technology project? Read the entire case study here

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