PLUMBING SYSTEMS
Ensuring that specifications actually ‘work’ on site
John McKinlay, Brand manager at CS Medical – a specialist manufacturer and supplier of IPS and medical sanitaryware, washroom components, and furniture for medical use – considers the benefits of, and optimal approach for, specifying and installing IPS pre-plumbed assemblies for healthcare facilities.
How much true understanding is there in the architectural and contractor healthcare community of specifying products correctly to meet the demands laid out in the Healthcare Building Notes? This very question was raised to me by an architect during a recent CPD presentation. The specifier wanted to know how it could specify an IPS system and ensure that the installation not only met the stringent requirements set out in HBN guidance, but also ensured an aesthetically pleasing installation with completely hidden plumbing. For CS Medical, this was a common
query. We support clients, architects, and contractors, to ensure that projects are accurately specified, well-designed, and, most importantly, are specifications that will work when installed on site. In part the problem arises in understanding the products being specified. While the term ‘IPS’ is recognised as a general description for panel systems, it actually refers to an ‘Integrated Pre-plumbed System’, which includes sanitaryware which is pre-mounted to the panel system off site. In fact, often the contractor will not purchase such a pre-plumbed system, and most will revert to the installation work being undertaken on site. This more traditional installation method means the specification cannot easily control all the works performed on site, which can result in a poorer quality install.
NBS Specification classification The NBS Specification classification system can add to this confusion, as it divides key components into different
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The NBS Specification classification system can add to [the] confusion, as it divides key components into different sections
sections. N13 Sanitary appliances and fittings defines all the materials for the sanitaryware, including the waste, trap, and other fittings, but does not cover the pre-plumbed panel systems or vanity units. Instead, these are detailed in K32 Propriety duct panels, including panels for preplumbed systems, and N10 Vanity Units including panels for preplumbed systems. This makes it more difficult to ensure that these assemblies are procured properly by the specifier, since often different trades are involved in the works and ordering materials directly. It is common for a specification to be broken at this point,
and for the panels to be ordered and installed as part of the joinery package, with the plumbing installation being undertaken separately on site. Reverting to traditional on-site installation like this can result in poorer quality and design conflict, as they are not manufactured and installed together within one process. This situation is replicated on multiple
projects. The key is a change in approach, and to ensure good specification management principles – specifically that all parties communicate to ensure that each finished project is supplied to the highest quality.
CS Medical says access panels should be ‘hinged wherever possible’, for ease of maintenance access.
October 2022 Health Estate Journal 87
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