Plumbing Advice
Water Pressure
| 0.1 Bar |
- Suitable for gravity fed systems if the cold water tank is at least 1 metre above the water outlet. If under 1 metre a pump will be required.
- Suitable for combi boilers
- Suitable for megaflow systems
|
| 0.2 Bar |
- Suitable for gravity fed systems if the cold water tank is at least 2 metres above the water outlet. If under 2 metres a pump will be required.
|
| 1.0 - 1.5 Bar |
- Not suitable for gravity fed systems unless a pump is used.
- Suitable for most combi boilers – please check pressure output with a plumber to confirm.
- Suitable for megaflow systems
|
| 1.5 - 2.0 Bar |
- Not suitable for gravity fed systems unless a pump is used.
- Not suitable for most combi boilers – please check pressure output with a plumber to confirm.
- Suitable for megaflow systems
|
| 2.0 Bar+ |
- Not suitable for gravity fed systems unless a pump is used.
- Not suitable for combi boilers.
- Suitable for most megaflow systems – please check pressure output with a plumber to confirm.
|
Water Systems
| Gravity Fed Systems |
- Cold water header tank usually situated in the loft, sometimes situated directly above the hot water cylinder.
- Hot water cylinder.
|
| Combi Boilers |
- Single gas heated unit that heats water as it passes through.
- No hot water cylinder
- No cold water header tank.
|
| Megaflow System |
- Large hot water cylinder under pressure from the mains water supply.
- No cold water header tank.
|
Showers
| Exposed Shower |
- Pipe work is buried in the wall (in some cases on the surface).
- Shower valve is mounted on the surface.
- Used for mounting on solid walls.
|
| Built in Shower |
- Pipe work is buried in the wall.
- Shower valve is buried in the wall.
- Used for mounting on stud walls.
|
| Thermostatic Shower |
- Runs off hot and cold water feeds.
- Temperature is kept constant even if the flow of water changes.
|
| Manual Shower |
- Runs off hot and cold water feeds.
- Temperature fluctuates if the flow of water changes.
|
| Digital Shower |
- Same function as a thermostatic shower.
- Shower controlled by remote digital panel.
- Valve contained in box mounted in a loft space / airing cupboard / under bath or other suitable area.
- Some include pumps for a boost on gravity fed water systems.
|
| Electric Shower |
- Runs directly off mains cold water feed.
- Heats the water as it passes through.
- Requires separate fuse / trip switch.
- For low mains water pressure pumped electric showers are available which will run off the cold water storage tank.
|
Lighting
| Zone 0 (min IPx7) |
- Water tight fitting.
- Suitable for underwater lighting.
- All fittings must be SELV (Max 12v).
|
| Zone 1 (min IPx4) |
- Jet proof.
- Suitable for inside shower enclosures / over baths.
- Up to 2.25m above the bath or shower tray.
|
| Zone 2 (min IPx4) |
- Splash proof.
- Suitable for around wet areas where fitting may get splashed.
- Up to 0.6m outside zone 1.
|
| Other Areas |
- Where fittings won’t come into contact with water.
|
IP Ratings
IP (Ingress Protection) rating.
| First Digit - Foreign Bodies |
Second Digit - Liquids |
| 0 |
No protection |
0 |
No protection |
| 1 |
- Protected against solid objects greater than
- 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands)
|
1 |
- Protection against vertically falling drops of
- water (e.g. condensation)
|
| 2 |
- Protected against solid objects up to
- 12mm (e.g. fingers)
|
2 |
- Protection against direct sprays of water up
- to 15 degrees from vertical
|
| 3 |
- Protected against solid objects greater than
- 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires)
|
3 |
- Protection against direct sprays of water up
- to 60 degrees from vertical
|
| 4 |
- Protected against solid objects greater than
- 1mm (e.g. small tools and wires)
|
4 |
- Protection against water sprayed from all
- directions – limited ingress permitted
|
| 5 |
- Protected against dust, limited ingress (e.g.
- no harmful deposit)
|
5 |
- Protected against low pressure jets of water
- from all directions – limited ingress permitted
|
| 6 |
- Totally protected against dust
|
6 |
- Protected against high pressure jets of water
- (use on ship deck) – limited ingress permitted
|
|
|
7 |
- Protected against the effects of immersion
- between 15cm and 1m
|
|
|
8 |
- Protected against long periods of immersion
- under pressure
|
Please note this section is intended as a guide only. We recommend getting advice from a qualified fitter before purchasing any plumbing or electrical goods. We will not be held liable for any issues caused by use of this guide.
