It is a requirement for businesses to comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (the “Water Regulations”). But what are the risks, what do the Water Regulations say, and how do you ensure that you prevent non-compliance?

Backflow

When a business uses a washing machine or dishwasher, they use water from the public mains supply. ‘Backflow’ is an unwanted flow of water in the opposite direction, and could draw contaminated water from the appliance back into the public water supply. This can be a serious health risk.

What Do The Water Regulations Say?

Businesses are required to use laundry equipment and dishwashers which meet the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (“Water Regulations”), which includes having water fittings which prevent ‘backflow’.

Regulation 4 of the Water Regulations provides more details of the requirements for the fittings to be used, for example:

  • Regulation 4(1)(a) states they are to be “of an appropriate quality and standard”
  • Schedule 1 sets out different categories of water being used called “fluid categories”. These range from:
    • fluid category 1 (drinking water); up to
    • fluid category 5 (fluid representing a serious health hazard, including fluid containing faecal material or other human waste)
  • Schedule 2, paragraph 15(3) states that the device “shall be appropriate to the highest applicable fluid category to which the fitting is subject”

How Do You Ensure Your Equipment And Installation Is Compliant?

To ensure compliance, you need equipment which meets the Water Regulations, to the applicable fluid category, and the equipment needs to be installed correctly.

At JTM Service we specialise in the supply and installation of commercial laundry equipment and dishwashers. All our commercial appliances are certified to meet the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, and we ensure they are installed correctly in compliance with the Water Regulations.

There are a number of schemes that manufacturers use to demonstrate compliance, the most common ones are:

  • ‘WRAS’ Approval (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme).
  • NSF Reg4 Certification Scheme
  • Kiwa UK Regulation 4 Product Approval Scheme (‘KUKreg4)

Purchasing your commercial washing machine or dishwasher through JTM Service, and for us to install that appliance, will ensure you are compliant with the Water Regulations.

How Is Backflow Prevented?

An air gap is a non-mechanical arrangement which prevents backflow, and is a space between the outlet of water and the potentially contaminated water. Without this, water could potentially flow back into the clean water supply.

The certified appliances we supply and install at JTM Service are fitted with an air gap and a check valve assembly, for example:

  • Washing Machines – Miele Benchmark and Little Giant machines are fitted with an AB type airgap arrangement and are supplied with a compliant double check valve assembly, which we fit on installation.
  • Dishwashers – Miele Professional ProfiLine and MasterLine Dishwashers have a solenoid valve and type AB airgap, and come with an approved double check valve assembly, which we install to ensure compliance.

Choose JTM Service To Keep You Safe And Compliant

With over 40 years’ experience, we understand the requirements of the Water Regulations and will safeguard you to prevent non-compliance.

We supply commercial laundry equipment and dishwashers from leading manufacturers which are certified to meet the Water Regulations, and our team of experienced, highly-trained engineers will ensure they are installed and operating correctly.

To speak to us about your commercial laundry equipment and dishwasher needs, and how we can ensure you are compliant with the Water Regulations, please contact us on 0113 2572221 or