Does Bemis Independence really manufacture in the United States?

• Yes… in the same town that the company was founded, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

Does Bemis Independence sell any products besides toilet seats?

• Bemis Independence only sells toilet seats
• Bemis Manufacturing, which we are part of, has sold toilet seats for over 75 years… it is our specialty

Does Bemis Independence sell a toilet seat riser?

• Bemis Independence sells elevated seats, seats with support arms, oversized comfort seats and bidet seats
• Risers, which require a standard toilet seat to be mounted on top, do not provide the level of seat security that Bemis Independence defines as acceptable

How can I contact Bemis Independence?

• See our “Contact” page on our website

What is Snap 2 Secure?

• A patented, toilet seat installation system
• Snap 2 Secure is special because it is simple to install, generates and maintains the correct clamping force and will not loosen with use

Why was Snap 2 Secure created?

• Bemis research of thousands of consumers shows loose toilet seats are the first or second concern from most users
• We strongly believe in providing product features that are true benefits for the end user… innovation is the key to providing benefits that deliver value

How does Snap 2 Secure work?

• Simply stated, the system combines the correct clamping force with the ability to immobilize the installation hardware
• The result of the combination is a toilet seat that will not loosen with use
• Simple to install… use the included wrench to tighten until the Installation Head “snaps off”, seat is fully secure and ready to use
• See the Snap 2 Secure Page for full details (link here?)

What is clamping force?

• Clamping force is the “squeeze” between the nut and the bolt head
• With toilet seats;
  • Too little, the seat loosens
  • Too much, the ceramic can break
• Your hand alone cannot generate enough clamping force to properly secure a seat

What is torque… Isn’t torque important?

• Torque is critical in the equation of generating the correct clamping force
• Torque is the “twisting force” required to turn the nut when tightening
• Total Torque required equals the friction between the nut and bolt, combined with the desired clamping force
• Minimizing friction is key to minimizing the amount of torque the installer must generate to properly install a toilet seat
• Your hand alone cannot generate enough torque to reach the required clamping force

How long does Snap 2 Secure last?

• When properly installed, Snap 2 Secure will prevent your seat from loosening, ever
• Proper installation equals Bushings in the mounting holes and both Installation Heads “snapped off” with the Installation Tool
• To remove seat, use the Installation Tool (or your own wrench) to unscrew the nuts

Can I get replacement parts for Snap 2 Secure

• Yes… all we ask is that you register your product when you purchase it (see website)
• Please contact our Customer Service team and they will work with you

How do I remove Snap 2 Secure system

• Using the Installation Tool (or your own wrench), simply unscrew the nuts

What materials are used to make the Snap 2 Secure system

• An engineering grade, plastic based material
• The properties of the material and the molding process are extremely consistent, allowing us to engineer the Shear Line so it will snap at the correct clamping force

How was Snap 2 Secure tested

• We used industry standard tests as well as use simulation tests generated from our extensive toilet seat experience
• Industry standard tests: IAPMO / ANSI Z124.5 Plastic Toilet Seat
• Bemis tests have been developed over the years to simulate actual use of the seat
• The combination of these protocols best simulates what the seat experiences in your bathroom

How often do you need to tighten Snap 2 Secure

• Once… during installation

Does anyone else sell Snap 2 Secure on elevated or armed seats?

• No… Snap 2 Secure is patented and only sold by Bemis
• Our retail and wholesale seats have the same patented system under the name STATITE®

Why do the Bemis seats look so different than the other elevated seats?

• Bemis starts with a premium toilet seat, and then customizes the seat to provide the proper elevation
• This provides a residential appearance in your home
• Our seats are hinged, for easy cleaning or standing use
• Bemis seats have a cover
• Our seats are offered in a closed ring or an open ring design
• The open-wall design makes cleaning easier

How high is the seat elevated?

• Our Elevated seats increase the height of the ring 3”

What is the weight capacity?

• 500 pounds

What is the seat made of?

• Injection molded polypropylene
• This creates a solid, heavy duty seat with high-gloss finish

How do I clean my seat?

• Warm water, soap and a soft cloth
• Do Not use abrasive cleaners… abrasive cleaners will scuff and/or scratch plastic surfaces
• Chemical cleaners are not recommended, but if used, thoroughly wipe down the seat and hinges to remove all cleaner residue

Is the seat hard to clean?

• No… the seat is hinged providing easy access to the seat, rim and bowl
• Seat surface is smooth and glossy, making it easy to clean
• Seat material is stain resistant, passing IAPMO / ANSI Z124.5 Stain Test (industry standard)

Does the seat require any assembly prior to installation?

• No… seat is ready to be installed when taken out of the carton

What tools are needed to install the seat?

• Each seat comes with an Installation Tool (socket wrench) designed to install or remove your Bemis Independence seat
• If you choose to use your own tools, the Installation Head requires a 5/8” wrench… a ratchet socket wrench works best, otherwise use a closed end or open ended wrench
• A wrench is the only tool required to properly install the seat

Why do we offer an Open Front Ring?

• Some people prefer the Open Front because it provides better access for personal cleaning
• For men it can provide a better view of the bowl for urinating

Can the bumpers be removed?

• No, the bumper are not designed to be removed

Will this fit on my toilet?

• We make both Round and Elongated elevated seats
• Our elevated seats fit on virtually all Round and Elongated toilets
• Oddly shaped toilets with seats that are dedicated to the specific bowl shape may not be compatible with our seats
• Toilets that have concealed trapways tend to have toilet seat mounting holes that are only accessible from the rear of the toilet… this can be an issue

What is the difference between Round and Elongated

• The size of the toilet bowl
• Round bowls measure 16.5” from the toilet seat mounting holes to the front of the bowl
• Elongated bowls measure 18.5” from the toilet seat mounting holes to the front of the bowl

The extended bumpers on the ring look different…

• Our bumpers are engineered to provide 3 inches of lift and fully support the user with a weight capacity of 500 pounds
• Snap 2 Secure, the “Safety Nubs” and our Super Grip™ bumpers provide the most secure elevated seat, eliminating side to side movement

Why are there two bumpers on the round seat and 4 on the elongated?

• The number of bumpers required is determined by the distance between the hinge and the front bumpers
• Round seats are two inches shorter than elongated and the heavy duty hinge base and front ring bumpers fully support a minimum of 500 pounds
• The additional length of the elongated seat generate the need for two bumpers between the front bumpers and hinge, ensuring it will fully support 500 pounds

Does the seat come with a cover?

• Yes… all residential seats should

How much width is needed for the seat to fit in my bathroom

• From the center line of the toilet bowl, 14” on each side
  

What is the weight capacity of the seat… the arms

• Seat 500 pounds
• Arms 250 pounds each side

What is the seat and support arms made of?

• Seat: Injection molded polypropylene
• Arms: Stainless steel with polypropylene grips

How do I clean my seat?

• Warm water, soap and a soft cloth
• Do Not use abrasive cleaners… abrasive cleaners will scuff and/or scratch plastic surfaces
• Chemical cleaners are not recommended, but if used, thoroughly wipe down the seat and hinges to remove all cleaner residue

Is the seat hard to clean?

• No… the seat is hinged providing easy access to the seat, rim and bowl
• Seat surface is smooth and glossy, making it easy to clean
• Seat material is stain resistant, passing IAPMO / ANSI Z124.5 Stain Test (industry standard)

Does the seat require any assembly prior to installation?

• No… seat is ready to be installed when taken out of the carton

What tools are needed to install the seat?

• Each seat comes with an Installation Tool (socket wrench) designed to install or remove your Bemis Independence seat
• If you choose to use your own tools, the Installation Head requires a 5/8” wrench… a ratchet socket wrench works best, otherwise use a closed end or open ended wrench
• A wrench is the only tool required to properly install the seat

What is the difference between Round and Elongated

• The size of the toilet bowl
• Round bowls measure 16.5” from the toilet seat mounting holes to the front of the bowl
• Elongated bowls measure 18.5” from the toilet seat mounting holes to the front of the bowl

Why do the arms appear to be moved forward

• The ergonomic design allows the user to keep their hands at their sides or in front of their body at all times
• Your strength to push is greatly diminished if your hands are behind your hips

Does the seat require any assembly prior to installation?

• No… seat is ready to be installed when taken out of the carton

How high is the seat elevated?

• The seat is not elevated
• With the Snap 2 Secure system, the stability of the seat eliminates the need for elevation for many users

Are the arms removable?

• No… the arms are permanently mounted

Why is this seat called a “comfort” seat?

• The size of the ring is larger than “normal”
• 42% more surface area than the average round seat, 27% more than elongated
• With the larger ring, the weight of the user is distributed over a larger area, reducing or eliminating pressure points

Why does the ring overhand the outside edge of the bowl?

• The ring is larger than normal and the hole in the ring is the same as a normal seat
• To accommodate the “comfort” size, the ring has to overhang the bowl

Why is the seat not contoured?

• Comfort… if the ring was more contoured the weight of the user would not be distributed equally and pressure points would be created

Why is there not a separate seat for Round and Elongated?

• The hinge has two separate holes to turn the threaded rod into dependent on the size of your toilet
• See directions to ensure you turn the threaded rod into the correct hole
• Using the wrong hole can create layback issues for the ring and cover in when placed in the upright position

What is the weight capacity of the seat?

• 1,000 pounds

How do I clean my seat?

• Warm water, soap and a soft cloth
• Do Not use abrasive cleaners… abrasive cleaners will scuff and/or scratch plastic surfaces
• Chemical cleaners are not recommended, but if used, thoroughly wipe down the seat and hinges to remove all cleaner residue

What tools are needed to install the seat?

• Each seat comes with an Installation Tool (socket wrench) designed to install or remove your Bemis Independence seat
• If you choose to use your own tools, the Installation Head requires a 5/8” wrench… a ratchet socket wrench works best, otherwise use a closed end or open ended wrench
• A wrench is the only tool required to properly install the seat

What is the Clean Shield Seat?

• A “Best Level” seat that provides the user a large number of benefits that have not been previously available on elevated and armed seats
• The Clean Shield seat is an elevated seat that comes in both Round and Elongated sizes
• The seat can be used with or without Support Arms, (Support Arms sold separately)
• Support Arms can be added when you purchase the seat or years later when you need additional assistance

What is so different about the Clean Shield seat?

• Everything is the easy answer…
• The Clean Shield seat was designed with the needs and wants of the user as the top priority
• Appearance… high end, residential
• Securely mounted to the bowl, hinged ring with cover, solid (versus hollow), weight capacity of 1,000 lbs., easy to clean and much more…

Why “Clean Shield”

• When elevating the user above the bowl, containment is very important
• The seat’s shield keeps everything in the bowl while avoiding contact through the innovative design
• The stylish, residential design “hides” the shield
• To clean, simply lift the ring to the upright position for full cleaning access

How high is the seat elevated?

• Our Clean Shield seats increase the height of the ring 3”

Oversized Ring

• Oversized ring is larger than a round or elongated ring
• Oversized ring provides additional comfort by reducing pressure points

Hinges

• Ring and Cover are hinged, providing easy access for cleaning and standing use of the toilet
• Self-Sustaining hinges prevent Ring slamming and eliminate any lay-back issues
• Stainless steel rods resist corrosion

What is the weight capacity?

• 1,000 pounds
• We do not actually know the limit, our equipment only tests to 1,000 pounds

What is the seat made of?

• Injection molded polypropylene
• This creates a solid, heavy duty seat with high-gloss finish

How do I clean my seat?

• Warm water, soap and a soft cloth
• Do Not use abrasive cleaners… abrasive cleaners will scuff and/or scratch plastic surfaces
• Chemical cleaners are not recommended, but if used, thoroughly wipe down the seat and hinges to remove all cleaner residue

Is the seat hard to clean?

• No… the seat is hinged providing easy access to the seat, rim and bowl
• Seat surface is smooth and glossy, making it easy to clean
• Seat material is stain resistant, passing IAPMO / ANSI Z124.5 Stain Test (industry standard)

Does the seat require any assembly prior to installation?

• No… seat is ready to be installed when taken out of the carton

What tools are needed to install the seat?

• Each seat comes with an Installation Tool (socket wrench) designed to install or remove your Bemis Independence seat
• If you choose to use your own tools, the Installation Head requires a 5/8” wrench… a ratchet socket wrench works best, otherwise use a closed end or open ended wrench
• A wrench is the only tool required to properly install the seat

How do I install the Support Arms?

• Go to BemisIndependence.com and visit the “Installation Instructions” page
• Webpage has the instruction sheets and installation videos
• It is very important that you install the arms on the correct side for proper support when sitting and standing

Why do the arms appear to be moved forward

• The ergonomic design allows the user to keep their hands equal to or in front of their hips at all time for maximum support
• Your strength to push is greatly diminished if your hands are behind your hips

What are the Support Arms made of?

• Heavy gauge aluminum
• Powder coated for protection from corrosion and blemishes
• Handles are polypropylene which is durable and easy to clean

What is the weight limit of the Support Arms?

• Our Support Arms are weight bearing, designed to assist the user when sitting and standing
• The arms are tested to 300 pounds per side
• Strength of Support Arms combined with the Snap 2 Secure system allow the user to push on the arms unevenly, or just one side, without any wiggle or loosening of the seat

Why are the Support Arms sold separately?

• This allows the user’s Clean Shield seat to change with their needs
• You can add them initially or later when you need some additional assistance

What is the width between the Support Arms?

• 21”

What is the overall width of the Support Arms once installed?

• 23”

Can the Arms be removed?

• Yes
• Remove the ring bumpers and depress the “Lock Button” on the arms
• Gently tug evenly on the arm to remove