Compliance


Doing your duty: the importance of water compliance


Jason Ashman, managing director of Reval Continuing Care, puts the record straight for care providers looking to be fully compliant


Water compliance is especially important in a care home, healthcare, or hospital setting. However, through our discussions with the sector, it has become clear that many organisations do not necessarily understand what is required. Bringing clarity and understanding


to the requirements that must be upheld can be described quite simply: any water fitting which, when installed, will carry or receive water from the public mains water supply in the UK, must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. These require that a water fitting should not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption, or contamination of the water supply and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’. So how do providers ensure they are


meeting these requirements when specifying bathing apparatus and equipment?


Compliance certificates Providers need to request compliance certificates from potential suppliers when purchasing bathroom appliances. While all water fittings and associated materials must, by law, conform with the Water Supply Regulations 1999,1


there is no


legal requirement to obtain WRAS (Water Regulations Approval Scheme)2


Approval


– it is simply the easiest and most reliable way of demonstrating compliance. The WRAS is an independent UK certification body for plumbing products and materials, aimed at helping business and consumers choose compliant products that keep water safe. While, according to the Water Supply Regulations, it is down to the installer to ensure that water fittings meet the criteria, WRAS Approval provides valuable peace of


July 2024 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


mind, for provider and service users alike. Providers need to be confident that the


equipment they purchase is of the highest quality to ensure reliability and service continuity while meeting stringent quality standards and legal requirements. The materials and components of construction used in assisted bathing systems must be tested and subjected to the water industries WRAS Category 5 standard. This is to demonstrate the compliance with both category 5 and BS 6920 – a British standard that determines the suitability of non-metallic materials used in contact with hot or cold water.


Marketing a product and stating it


incorporates WRAS-approved components does not guarantee compliance! Moreover, such language should serve as a warning, and companies using such language should be carefully scrutinised prior to purchasing from them. The only way to be sure of equipment


Providers need to request compliance certificates from potential suppliers


compliance would be for your prospective supplier to provide you with a WRAS category 5 certificate of approval. That approval must have a live listing on the online WRAS Approvals Directory. At Reval, we provide our category 5 certificate complete with approval number with the appliance. If a product is not listed, then you should question the approval with WRAS for verification. In the absence of an authentic certificate


and directory listing of approval, the appliance cannot be legally installed to UK mains water. The only way would be via a special dispensation from your Local Water Authority, which is highly unlikely. It is the responsibility of the care


operator to contact the local water authority and provide product details to secure the necessary approval for appliance installation. No one tells you to insure your car, but you know you have to do it – this is exactly the same. Here, the regulations outline how to comply: 1. Ensure the equipment is of an appropriate quality and standard.


2. Ensure the installation is safe by notifying the local water undertaker at least 10 working days before the equipment is installed.


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