RAINWATER MANAGEMENT
distance from the shower area and a pull-cord switch installed outside of the wetroom. IP (ingress protection) Ratings also apply to any lighting used, indicating how much protection is provided against access of water and other particles. Each zone has a minimum IP requirement that must be met if a fitting is to be installed in this area. Wetrooms apply to Zone 0 and fittings used must be SELV (Separated Extra Low Voltage – max. 12Volts) with a minimum rating of IPX7 (IP67) meaning that the fixtures are totally immersion-proof.
A wetroom in a new build Planning a wetroom for a new-build means that you don’t have to worry about modifying existing works.
Consider the location of joists, pipe-work, and concrete flooring. Also determine the
siting of the drain, vents and soil-pipes and incorporating the design of the wetroom(s) into the services specification as early as possible. Retrospective fitting is not always possible and can result in delays and increased expenses. Firstly, measure and draw the room to scale, with an exact marked location of where the floor former tray will be situated. Then decide exactly where the waste outlet will need to be and the positioning of pipes for all bathroom amenities.
The wetroom waste-pipe should always run independently to provide a free-flow of air through your shower waste-pipes. This avoids the starvation of airflow from occurring, plus an independent waste-pipe will also help to avoid any chance of “double-trapping”. Vented systems and air admittance valves can often aid with airflow if needed. BMJ
ALLIANCE CHOOSES THE HIGHLIFE
Alliance Sanitary Products is rebranding as Highlife Bathrooms with a extra focus on the retail sector.
T
he £10,000 rebranding is the result of a far-reaching development process that has seen the East Kilbride-based bathroom specialist run customer focus groups across the UK; fill gaps in its product portfolio; add to its research and development capacity to enable it to identify and react to both current and anticipated market trends; and develop a completely new brand identity.
Charles Kyriacou, co-owner of Highlife Bathrooms, says: “During the 15-years since founding Alliance, the market has changed beyond all recognition. Bathrooms are no longer a purely functional element of the home, but instead reflect the tastes and aspirations of homeowners.”
Highlife Bathrooms will continue to sell Alliance’s most popular ranges, but has also added over 100 new products to its enhanced offering. These include stylish new full-suite bathroom, mirror, tap and mixer ranges, and a host of cutting edge showering and wet room solutions.
Also included are rimless WCs, wall- hung furniture in the latest matt finishes, and an extensive range of towel warmers and radiators – all product areas that sales director, Michael Jones says will be key trends in the retail market in 2019 and beyond. “The average spend on a new bathroom in the UK now tops £4,500, but what people want, whether they spend two or twenty
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BATHROOM & SHOWERS
thousand pounds, is an end result that looks a million dollars,” he says.
“While the primary aim of rebranding is to make our mark in the consumer retail market, builders merchants will also see many benefits – all of which have been carefully planned,” Kyriacou adds.
“We are adding to and improving our core stock lines, which are already amongst the most well-stocked in the market. These products are not only competitively priced, meaning merchants will have the opportunity to make excellent margins, but the packaging has been carefully designed for easy off-the- shelf or hook display and sales.” “The new lines have been introduced to appeal not just to retailers and consumers, but to today’s discerning builders, plumbers and installers, as well as architects and specifiers. And with many builders’ merchants upgrading or opening retail bathroom showrooms, the timing of the rebrand and all it brings couldn’t be better.”
“As has always been the case, everything we do is done with a commitment to
delivering a level of service that befits the quality of our products. This includes our area sales managers providing a level of support for customers’ that simply isn’t surpassed in the industry. The team, which covers the entire UK, offers full contract support, which sees them undertake joint site and architect visits to help secure contract specifications for customers.” “What all of our products have in common is that they deliver exactly that, and do so at a price that allows our customers to make excellent margins, while at the same time delivering excellent value to the homeowner. “We’re currently firmly focussed on the future, and the new direction we’re taking as a company,” he says.
“Our passion is bathrooms, and we’re dedicated to providing beautiful bathrooms with innovative products and an unrivalled attention to detail. By keeping our eyes on global trends and cutting-edge developments, we feel our retail offer is not only one of the very best currently available, but is one that will continue to be so for many years to come.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net March 2019
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