It is best to use 15mm diameter supply pipes making the
runs to the shower as short and straight as possible. The
benefits include maintaining maximum pressure and minimising
heat loss.
It is also advisable to minimise the use of elbows for pipe
corners as this increases resistance in the flow of the
water supply. Instead, it may be worth bending the pipes.
If it is a manual mixer that is being fitted, the
cold water supply must be taken directly from the cold water
cistern as opposed to a pipe supplying any other tap or
cistern in the household, as it could cause extremities
in temperature and scalding when the pressure is decreased.
In contrast, hot water can be taken from a branch pipe because
if the hot water supply is reduced there will only be a
reduction in temperature causing temporary discomfort. If
the hot supply is to be taken from the cylinder distribution
pipe the connection point should ideally be made above the
height of the cylinder top.
If it is a thermostatic shower is being installed,
then the hot and cold water supplies can be taken from the
branch pipes as the water temperature is self controlled
by the built-in stabiliser.
Drainage - see Drainage systems
