FOCUS ON PIPES, VALVES & FITTINGS
MANUFACTURER - ALTECNIC
ALTECNIC HEAD OF OEM & ROI SALES MARK MOGEY EXPLORES HOW COMPONENT FLEXIBILITY, FROM DESIGN TO INSTALL AND MAINTENANCE CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO WHOLE BUILDING SYSTEMS… Boosting flexibility in water system design for multi- occupancy buildings
Mark Mogey.
ENSURING WATER SYSTEM DESIGN COMPLIANCE Designing any type of water system can be complex, with many considerations needing to be made. With dwellings now becoming taller and larger than ever before, this complexity continues to increase, with designers needing to consider how to create a system with all required valves, which is efficient, compliant and does not compromise on space. The Water Supply (Water Fitting) Regulations 1999 require that each individual premise in a multi-occupancy building be supplied with a stop valve and suitable backflow prevention device, such as a single or double-check valve, or other no-less-effective back flow prevention device, according to the level of risk as judged by the water undertaker. Furthermore, wherever practicable, hot and cold service pipes should include sufficient draining taps to facilitate the draining of all supply and distributing pipes within the building. In addition to this, under the Water Industry Act 1991, for every self-contained apartment or flat in a multi-occupancy build, there must be an individual water meter fitted to the supply pipe, regardless of whether it is a new build or a retrofit. Moreover, the inclusion of a pressure- reducing valve to this valve selection is advantageous as you can ensure the pressure from the system is controlled, and protection is provided to each individual property.
As the housing market sees an increase in demand, multiple-occupancy dwellings are becoming the ideal solution to quickly and efficiently meet demand. However, designers, contractors and installers have much to consider when making recommendations and selecting components for water systems, especially in multiple occupancy buildings, with water management being a priority. MULTIPLE-OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS With increased competition for securing development land, it is obvious why multiple-occupancy buildings are becoming more popular. The speed at which modern buildings are required to be designed and then built, to meet the growing demand, means that designers and contractors must look for componentry which is fast to specify and install. Of course, this presents numerous challenges for designers, who must also consider ways in which they can prevent issues occurring throughout the whole building design. Water systems in multiple-occupancy buildings present a unique set of challenges for a designer, with issues to consider such as design compliance, water hammer, potential leaks, pipe freezing, access to servicing points, pipe configuration and the complexity of the install itself. Due to this, designers must seek out components which reduce the impact of these issues, make compliance with regulations easier, and optimise the water supply for each self-contained apartment.
A modular approach means that the valve assembly can be ordered as a standalone monobloc or with options such as a class D water meter.
52 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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