QCS 2014 Section 19: Plumbing Work Page 9

Part 02: Water Distribution

Table 2.3
Maximum Spacing of Fixings for Internal Piping
Type of Piping Nominal size of Spacing on Spacing on
pipe horizontal run vertical run
(inches) (metres) (metres)
3
PVC-U complying with BS 3505 /8 0.530 1.060
1
and CPVC complying with DIN /2 0.610 1.220
3
8079 and 8080 /4 0.685 1.370
1 0.760 1.520
1
1 /4 0.840 1.680
1
1 /2 0.915 1.830
2 1.065 2.130
3 1.370 2.740
4 1.525 3.050
6 1.830 3.660
TC

Tables 2.4
Maximum Spacing of Fixings for Internal Piping
AM

Type of Piping Nominal size of Spacing on Spacing on

pipe horizontal run vertical run
(inches) (metres) (metres)
3
Polyethylene and polypropylene /8 0.300 0.500
½
complying with BS 1972 or 0.400 0.800
3
BS 4991 respectively /8 0.400 0.800
1 0.400 0.800
1
1 /4 0.450 0.900
1
1 /2 0.550 0.900
2 0.550 1.100
1
2 /2 0.600 1.100
3 0.700 1.200
4 0.700 1.400

2.6 TAPS, VALVES AND PROTECTION DEVICES

2.6.1 Draw-off Taps

1 Metal bodied draw-off taps shall conform to the relevant provisions of BS 5412: Parts 1-5.

2 Plastic bodied draw-off taps shall confirm to the relevant provisions of BS 5413: Parts 1-5.
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Part 02: Water Distribution

3 Taps not fixed directly to an appliance shall be screwed into a suitable pipe fitting.

4 The fitting, or the pipe immediately adjacent to the tap, shall be firmly secured to a suitable
support so as to prevent strain on the pipe and its joints when the tap is operated.

2.6.2 Drain Taps

1 Draining taps shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 2879.

2 Draining tap shall be of the screwdown type with a removable key and shall be fixed over a
drain or have provision for discharging the water to the nearest convenient point for disposal.

2.6.3 Ball Float Valves

1 Except for interconnected tanks arranged to store water at the same level, every pipe
supplying water to a storage tank shall be fitted with a float operated valve or some other
equally effective device to control the inflow of water and maintain it at the required level.
The inlet control device shall be suitable for the particular application, taking into account the
supply pressure and the temperature of the water in the cistern.

2 When a float operated valve is used it shall either:

(a) comply with BS 1212: Part 2 or 3 and be used with a float complying with BS 1968 or
BS 2456 of the correct size corresponding to the length of the lever arm and the
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water supply pressure; or

(b) where any other float operated valve or other level control device is used, it shall
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comply with the performance requirements of BS 1212 where applicable to the

circumstances of its use and shall be clearly marked with the water pressure,
temperature and other characteristics for which it is intended to be used.

3 Every float operated valve shall be securely fixed to the cistern it supplies and where
necessary braced to prevent the thrust of the float causing the valve to move and so alter the
water level at which it shuts off. This water level shall be at least 25 mm below the lowest
point of the warning pipe connection or, if no warning pipe is fitted at least 50 mm below the
lowest point of the lowest over flow pipe connection

4 Every pipe taking water from a cistern of capacity exceeding 18 litres shall be fitted with a
servicing valve close to the storage cistern, tank or cylinder.

5 Every ball float valve shall be so placed that it is readily accessibly for examination,
maintenance and operation.

2.6.4 Servicing Valves

1 Servicing valves shall be located in accessible positions so as to enable the flow of water to
individual or groups of appliances to be controlled and to limit the inconvenience caused by
interruption of supply during repairs.
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Part 02: Water Distribution

2 A servicing valve shall either comply with the requirements for stopvalves as specified in
Clause 2.13 of this Part or shall be capable of withstanding a static pressure 1.5 times the
maximum pressure it will be subjected to in use, be leaktight when closed against the latter
pressure and, when installed on any pipe pressurised from the mains or on any pipe under a
static pressure exceeding 1 bar, shall be operable only by means of a key, screwdriver or
coin inserted into a slot on the valve. Screwdown servicing valves shall not be of loose
jumper design. Copper alloy gate valves complying with the relevant provisions of BS 5154
may be used as servicing valves.

3 A servicing valve shall be fitted upstream of, and as close as practicable to, every float
operated valve connected to a supply pipe.

4 Pipes taking water from a storage tank of capacity exceeding 18 litres shall be fitted with a
servicing valve. The valve shall be fitted as close to the storage tank as practicable. Pipes
taking water from storage tanks with a capacity that does not exceed 18 litres shall not be
fitted with servicing valves.

2.6.5 Stopvalves

1 The use and installation of stopvalves shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 6700.

2 Stopvalves fitted to service pipes shall comply with the relevant provisions of the British
Standards referenced in Table 2.5.
TC

Table 2.5

Stopvalves Fitted to Service Pipes

AM

Nominal Size of Pipe Standard

Above Ground Below Ground
50 mm or smaller BS 1010: Part 2 BS 2580
BS 2580 BS 5433
BS 5433
50 mm or larger BS 5163 BS 5163

3 Stopvalve components of fittings incorporating stopvalves shall comply with the requirements
for stopvalves.

4 Stop valves shall be so placed that they may be readily inspected, operated and maintained.

5 When a stopvalve is installed on an underground pipe it shall be enclosed in a pipe guard or

chamber under a surface box of the correct grade for the traffic loading relevant to the
location.

2.6.6 Backflow Protection Devices

1 Every pipe through which water is supplied to a point of use or draw-off where backflow or
backsiphonage is likely to occur shall be fitted with a backflow protection device.

2 Pipe interrupters for backflow protection shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 6281:
Part 3.
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Part 02: Water Distribution

3 Vacuum breakers for backflow protection shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS
6282: Part 2 and 3.

4 Check valves for backflow protection shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 6282:
Part 1. Any additional installation instruction issued by the manufacturer or supplier of the
check valve shall also be complied with.

5 Combined check valve and vacuum breaker for backflow protection shall comply with the
relevant provisions of BS 6282: Part 4.

6 Double check valve assembly for backflow protection shall comply with the relevant
provisions of BS 6282: Part 1, with a draining tap complying with the relevant provisions of
BS 2879 connected between them.

2.7 PIPE INSTALLATIONS

2.7.1 General Requirements

1 Pipe runs within buildings should not be laid exactly horizontal but to a slight fall to reduce the
risk of air locks forming.

2.7.2 Pipework Expansion

1 In installations with limited straight runs and many bends and offsets, thermal movement is
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accommodated automatically. In installations that do not have limited straight runs and many
bends and offsets, allowance for expansion and contraction of the pipes shall be made by
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forming expansion loops, by introducing changes of direction to avoid long straight runs or by
fitting proprietary expansion joints. This is particularly important where temperature changes
are considerable and where the pipe material has a relatively large coefficient of expansion.

2 The maximum length of a straight run for each different pipe material to be used shall be
detailed in the Project Specification or shown on the Project Drawings.

2.7.3 Pipe Sleeves

1 Where a pipe enters a building it shall be accommodated in a sleeve that has previously
been solidly built-in and the space between the pipe and the sleeve shall be filled with non-
hardening, non-cracking, water-resistant material for a minimum length, of 150 mm at both
ends to prevent the passage of water, gas or insects.

2.7.4 Concealed Pipework

1 Concealed pipework shall be housed in properly constructed builders work ducts or wall
chases and have access for maintenance and inspection.

2 Ducts and chases should be constructed as the building structure is erected and should be
finished smooth to receive pipe fixings.

3 No pipe or joint in or under a building shall be embedded in any wall or solid floor or in any
material below a solid floor at ground level except for the following: