You might think no-one would sell a plumbing fitting which was illegal to install, but sadly you’d be wrong. Under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, it’s not illegal to sell such a fitting, but it’s the installer’s duty to ensure that water fittings do comply once fitted.
So – if you’re specifying, purchasing or installing water fittings, how can you tell if they comply? The best way is to use WRAS Approved Products. WRAS Product Approval is promoted to installers, such as members of the WaterSafe Installers’ Scheme as a cost-effective way of demonstrating compliance with the regulations, ensuring peace-of mind for them and their customers.
Throughout the UK, the regulations apply to all premises which receive a public water supply – this is everything conveying wholesome water inside the boundary of a property. This covers underground supply pipes, all water fittings, valves, heating systems and all water-using appliances or equipment which convey or receive mains water.
The regulations require water fittings to be “of an appropriate quality and standard” to ensure that their design and manufacture prevents waste or contamination of drinking water supplies.
Problems arise if, for example, backflow prevention devices fail to work or a stop valve fails to fully isolate the supply. Inappropriate materials of construction within a water-using product can contaminate the water – for example by leaching metals or by giving the water an unpleasant taste, causing microbial growth and possibly leading to ill health.
The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) administers the WRAS Approved Product scheme. Fittings are tested by independent laboratories and representatives of the water suppliers who enforce the regulations assess and endorse those which comply.
When you’re buying or installing products look for the logo.
To provide installers with the necessary information to ensure regulations’ compliance for individual Approved Products, products in the Directory include Installation Requirements and Notes (IRNs). These installation conditions must be followed if the product is to comply with the legal requirements of the regulations.
For further information, please log on to: www.wras.co.uk, www.watersafe.org.uk or call: 0333 207 9030.