Elbow Action Pillar Cock with 9″ Long Handle

Quick Answer: The Elbow Action Pillar Cock with 9″ Long Handle is a deck-mounted laboratory tap that stands upright on the sink or worktop and is fed from below, with a 9-inch (about 229 mm) lever long enough to be operated comfortably with the elbow or forearm.

Why the 9-Inch Handle Matters

A pillar cock is a single-supply tap that stands on the deck of a sink or on the worktop beside it, with its inlet pipe rising through a hole from underneath. It is the usual choice where the water pipe runs inside the bench, as on island benches and many modern lab units, rather than coming out of the wall.

The handle length named in the title is the working feature. A lever turns a valve by torque, which is the push applied multiplied by its distance from the pivot, so a 9-inch lever needs noticeably less push at its tip than a short tap handle to turn the same valve. That makes this elbow action pillar cock practical to operate with the side of the forearm, even for someone in a lab coat and gloves. A longer lever also sweeps a wider arc, so the tap needs clear space: the tip must not strike a wall, a reagent shelf or the neighbouring tap when swung open.

Where the specification calls for a deluxe-grade fitting instead, compare this model with the Elbow Action Pillar Cock, Deluxe. Both mount in the same way; this listing is the one that states its handle length.

Specifications

Suitable Positions

• Island and peninsular lab benches where the water pipe runs inside the bench carcass.
• Polypropylene or epoxy sinks with a tap hole in the deck or in the worktop behind the bowl.
• Handwash basins in microbiology and clinical-skills rooms that need hands-free control.
• Teaching labs where gloved students must turn the water on and off without gripping a handle.

Care & Handling

• Before drilling the worktop, swing a 9-inch strip of card through the full arc to check that the lever clears walls, shelves and other fittings.
• Tighten the backnut under the deck firmly on its washer, so repeated lever pushes do not twist the tap in its hole.
• Wipe the lever at the end of each day with the disinfectant used on the benches.
• If the lever becomes stiff, have the valve serviced rather than pushing harder, which strains both the body and the deck.

Why Choose LabEquip

Lab furniture makers and schools building island benches are the typical buyers of a long-handle pillar cock. LabEquip offers it among its General Lab Products, and hole sizes can be matched to your sinks through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pillar cock?

It is a tap that stands upright on a sink deck or worktop, fixed through a hole and fed by a pipe from underneath. It controls a single water supply, unlike a mixer, which blends hot and cold.

Why is a 9-inch handle better for elbow use?

A longer lever needs less force at its tip to turn the valve, and it projects far enough to be caught by the forearm without the hand coming near the tap. The trade-off is a wider swing, which needs clear space around the tap.

Do I need a hole in the sink or bench to fit this tap?

Yes. A pillar cock passes through a round tap hole in the sink deck or worktop and is clamped by a backnut underneath. If the sink has no hole, a wall-mounted tap such as a bib cock avoids drilling.

How much space does the lever need?

Allow for the full arc of a 9-inch lever, from closed to fully open, with room for an elbow at its tip. Check that it will not hit a splashback, shelf or neighbouring tap before fixing the tap.

Can gloved users operate it easily?

Yes. The long lever is pushed with the forearm or the back of the wrist, so no grip is needed. This suits labs where gloves are worn and must stay clean until they are removed.

What if the tap turns in its hole when the lever is pushed?

The backnut underneath has loosened or the deck is flexing. Tighten the backnut on its washer, and on thin decks add a rigid plate underneath so the tap is held square.

Last Updated: September 2026