Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES APRIL 2021 17 FEATURE PIPED SERVICES & PUMPWATER The valve you choose must be compliant with the Water Supply Regulations 1999. Part of RWC’s family of brands, the JG Speedfit range of plastic push-fit fittings offers a Double Check Valve with a Stop Valve. The stop valve isolates the water supply to the outlet, for installers to easily service the outlet that the valve is connected to instead of needing to shut off the whole building’s water supply. Fluid category 4 The more significant health hazards begin with Fluid category 4, which is water with harmful concentrations of toxic substances. Suitable backflow prevention devices are required in these situations, such as RPZ valves. Reliance Valves’ Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valve, for example, is one of the safest and most reliable backflow preventers available for commercial (fluid category 4 risk) applications. This device is a verifiable assembly, that is designed to be regularly tested, to ensure the higher risk of potential contamination is limited. In the event of a drop in pressure or back siphonage occurring, the mains water supply is protected by diverting the back-fed water from a property out to a waste pipe, therefore diverting it from the main supply and drinking network, limiting the risk of contamination. Applications include commercial dishwashers, cleaning appliances, commercial heating systems and fire sprinkler systems where anti- freeze is not used. Fluid category 5 The highest risk level of all - Fluid category 5 – represents the most serious health hazard because of the presence of pathogens and radioactive or very toxic substances. Fluid category 5 is a highly specialist area calling for a Class 5 backflow prevention device, incorporating a Type AB air gap or equivalent. Ensuring a safe environment through maintenance When wemove into the high-risk fluid categories, such as categories 4 and 5, this is wheremaintenance becomes critical to ensure they work correctly. While RPZ valves are highly effective, they need to be installed, commissioned and tested by an approved RPZ Valve Tester, who must notify the water authorities of the status of all works. Equally, because of their vital function, they need to be regularly tested – again by an approved installer. It is a legal requirement that this test is conducted every 12 months to ensure that it is operating correctly and doesn’t require further maintenance. The exact schedules will vary across local water undertakers, but full guidance can be found on their websites. Clearly, backflow presents significant risk. However, there are easy and efficient ways to prevent it from happening, and to ensure an uninterrupted supply of safe clean water. These solutions are available from RWC’s Reliance Valves range, together with the support of an experienced technical team that’s able to offer installation advice and best practice guidance. With backflow, we really do have your back. More information can be found at www.rwc.co.uk