What kind of wall reinforcement or mounting support is required to install my drinking fountain or bottle filling station?
When installing a commercial water cooler or bottle filler, standard drywall and studs alone are rarely sufficient.
Because these units are heavy (most weighing between 100-275 pounds) and are subject to significant downward pressure from users, they can require solid internal wall backing or better, yet, a purpose-built mounting frame.
The Challenge with Standard Studs
Ideally, for the simplest installation, you would mount your unit directly into studs. However, the pre-drilled mounting holes on many fountains rarely align perfectly with standard 16-inch or 24-inch stud spacing. And if your studs don't match up, you risk only securing one side of the unit or missing the structural support entirely, which can lead to the unit sagging or pulling away from the wall over time.
This is especially problematic in high-traffic areas where the fountain will be used frequently, as the constant pressure can exacerbate any weaknesses in the mounting, leading to unsightly gaps or even detachment creating a safety hazard.
Common Solutions
- Reinforced Backing: (wood blocking) Installing a reinforced backing board, such as plywood or a metal plate, between the drywall and the studs can provide a solid surface for mounting. This allows you to secure the unit firmly, even if the mounting holes don't align with the studs.
- Mounting Plates: Using heavy-duty mounting plates that can distribute the weight of the unit across a larger area helping mitigate the issue with more mounting points and a greater chance of hitting a wall stud.
- Custom Mounting Frames: For a more permanent and secure solution, consider installing a custom mounting frame that is designed to accommodate the specific dimensions and weight of your water cooler or bottle filler. This type of frame can be anchored directly to the studs to provide a stable base for the unit.
Choosing the Right Support for Your Project
Depending on your configuration, we recommend the following professional-grade Elkay mounting frames:
For Single Units: If you are installing a single bottle filler or fountain, the
Elkay MLP100 In-Wall Carrier
provides a rock-solid foundation for on-wall installations.
For Double/Bi-Level Units: If you are installing a "Hi-Lo" dual station or a side-by-side fountain and bottle filler, the Elkay MLP200 Double-Width Steel Mounting Frame is the sturdiest and most flexible way to ensure both units are perfectly level and secure.
Pro Tip: When retrofitting an older building, the biggest mistake is not checking the stud depth. These Elkay carriers are designed for standard wall cavities, making them the most reliable "shortcut" to a professional-grade finish without rebuilding the entire wall frame.
Below is a table of purpose built mounting frames that are designed to accommodate the specific dimensions and weight of your Elkay or Halsey Taylor water cooler or bottle filler. These frames are designed to be anchored directly into the studs and provide a stable base for your water fountain and/or bottle filler.
| MPN | Display Name/Code | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| MF100 | Mounting Frame for Single-station In-wall Refrigerated Coolers | Single station fountains whose model number begins with ENOB, ERFP, ERO, ERPB, LNTE, or LRPB |
| MF200 | Mounting Frame for Bi-level In-wall Refrigerated Coolers | Two station fountains whose model number begins with ENOB, ERFP, ERO, ERPB, LNTE, or LRPB |
| MFWS100 | Mounting Frame for Single-station In-wall Refrigerated Bottle Filling Stations | In-wall, single station, refrigerated bottle filling stations whose model number begins with EZWS, LZWS, or HTHB |
| MFWS200 | Mounting Frame for Bi-level In-wall Non-refrigerated Bottle Filling Stations With Integral Fountain | In-wall, two station, refrigerated bottle filling stations whose model number begins with EZWS, LZWS, or HTHB |
| MFWSF110 | Mounting Frame for Single-station In-wall Refrigerated SwirlFlo Bottle Filling Stations | Models beginning with LZWS-LRPB and EZWS-ERPB |
| MLP100 | In-wall Carrier for Single-station On-wall Bottle Fillers Coolers & Fountains | Too numerous to list, but including: EZS8L, EZS8S, LZS8L, LZS8S, VRC8S, LVRC8S, EZS8WS..., LZS8WS..., VRC8WSK, LVRC8WSK. |
| MLP200 | In-wall Carrier for Bi-level On-wall Bottle Fillers Coolers & Fountains | Too numerous to list, but including: EZSTL8LC, EZSTL8SC, LZSTL8LC, LZSTL8SC, VRCTL8SC, LVRCTL8SC, EZSTL8WS.., LZSTL8WS.., VRCTL8WSK, LVRCTL8WSK. |
Still not sure which frame fits your specific model? Contact our experts at Berl's for a technical review of your project.