Here, Steve Saunders, senior technical manager for Triton Showers, tackles some of the questions most commonly asked about mixer showers by installers attending training courses held at the company’s HQ in Nuneaton.
Q. Are there any regulations regarding which type of mixer shower must be fitted in a bath/shower room?
Steve said: “In a new build domestic property it may be necessary to limit the flow rate from the shower or multiple units to comply with Part G of the Building Regulations. In accordance with this ruling, the maximum calculated consumption of potable water used per person, per day must not exceed 125 litres. Some mixer showers are supplied with flow limiters which fit in the hot and cold inlets or alternatively with a device that sits in the shower outlet to restrict the output of high pressure systems to a maximum of six or nine litres per minute.
“There is also a requirement that the water temperature for filling a bath must not exceed 48°C. This can be achieved by fitting a thermostatic blending valve in the supply to the hot tap or by fitting a deck mounted thermostatic bath shower mixer with a lock out mechanism set at 48°C to prevent fluctuations.
“At the moment, there is no legislation restricting which type of mixer can be used for showering. However, it is best practice to install thermostatic units that are capable of maintaining temperature settings even when pressure changes occur. In the event of there being a total loss of water supply, thermostatic models are designed to shut off completely in order to protect the end user.”
For more information about Triton’s technical training courses, visit: www.tritonshowers.co.uk.