Stopcock to Lever Valve - Updated/Current Regs?

[SirLancelot]

Asking the community a very specific question, to see what changes/updates there may be to water regs in England regarding a properties Main-Water-Supply Stop Valve.

For your average bungalow, in a city (city mains fed water supply).

What are the up-to-date/current regs regarding replacing a properties main water stop valve from:

Traditional Stopcock

to

Lever valve

Tried searching for any guidance on Water Regs UK Limited - Came up short. Quite some time ago, they did have a section addressing this, stating it was permissabe. But that is now gone:

https://www.waterregsuk.co.uk/plumbing_professionals/advice_for_plumbing_professionals/installation_faqs/

So, in light of this:

A) Is such a swap allowed (currently)?
B) Is there anything else that is required, when making the swap?
C) For those of us that enjoy learning, could someone point us to the most recent/relevant updated regs on this please.

SL

 

[Madrab]

WRAS approved Lever valves are now allowed, the regs were changed and it is now specified in Para 10 - Every supply pipe or distributing pipe providing water to separate premises shall be fitted with a stop valve conveniently located to enable the supply to those premises to be shut off without shutting off the supply to any other premises.

Their definition of a stop valve is now - "“a stopvalve” means a valve, other than a servicing valve, used for shutting off the flow of water in a pipe"

 

[denso13]

Is there anything else that is required, when making the swap?

Valve should be followed by a double check valve then drain valve.

 

[ATTQ]

WRAS approved Lever valves are now allowed, the regs were changed and it is now specified in Para 10 - Every supply pipe or distributing pipe providing water to separate premises shall be fitted with a stop valve conveniently located to enable the supply to those premises to be shut off without shutting off the supply to any other premises.

That sounds like the one in the pavement. Which then suggests the one in the house could be as you like?

 

[ATTQ]

Valve should be followed by a double check valve then drain valve.

Can you explain that a bit more? I'm just about to stick one of these easy off lever jobs where the stiff old stopcock is but there isn't another valve or drain, where is the regs explained for that?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-pb350-compression-full-bore-15mm-lever-ball-valve-with-blue-handle/9675v

 

[denso13]

Can you explain that a bit more?

The Water regs are like the Building regs and describe what is required at a high level only. Things like "adequate backflow prevention" and "adequate drain off provision". If you fit a stop valve then double check valve then drain valve you are pretty much covered.

The regs also aren't generally retrospective, so you'd likely be ok without the additions.

 

[SirLancelot]

I'm hoping to make this thread a definitive update on this topic, because a cursory search brings this question up, time after time.

D) Madrab - For the sake of reference - as you correctly showed us, Para 10 is clear that a stopvalve of any sort (wras approved) must be used for any independent domicile:

Guidance Paragraph 10

Request: could you please direct us to a reference that demonstrates Lever Valves have been approved (and are permissible) over Stopcocks.

E) denso13 - For the sake of reference, could you please point us to the regs that show the 'adequate backflow prevention' aspect you attach to this topic. I would like to update this post with a direct reference.

F) ATTQ's point that the water meter found on pavements outside most detached single abode properties, should have backflow prevention 'built in'. Is this necessarily correct? Would a second check valve be necessary, after the stop valve - in this case?

G) What part of the regs relate to having a drain off after the double check valve?

H) Does it have to be a check valve, or double check valve? If so, why please?

 

[denso13]

For the sake of reference, could you please point us to the regs that show the 'adequate backflow prevention' aspect you attach to this topic.

Schedule 2, paragraph 15.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

These Regulations make provision for preventing contamination and waste of water supplied by a water undertaker. They do not apply to certain water fittings in connection with water supplied for non-domestic purposes, or to water fittings lawfully installed before 1st July 1999: regulation 2.

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[denso13]

What part of the regs relate to having a drain off after the double check valve?

It doesn't specify things like that.

Schedule 2, paragraph 11.

 

[denso13]

Does it have to be a check valve, or double check valve?

Again, it isn't as specific as that, but a double check valve covers all domestic scenarios.

Schedule 2, paragraph 15.

 

[denso13]

Request: could you please direct us to a reference that demonstrates Lever Valves have been approved (and are permissible) over Stopcocks.

It only defines a stopvalve as a valve, other than a servicing valve, used for shutting off the flow of water in a pipe. Lever valve or stopcock are not mentioned in the legislation.

Schedule 2, paragraph 1.

 

[Madrab]

As suggest, they only reference it as a stop valve now.

Prior to the use of lever valves, all valves approved for use on the UK water supply needed to comply to certain British standards - for the mains it used to be detailed as a screw down stop tap complying to BS1010 - the only suitable stop taps were always the traditional wind down compression type taps.
As lever valves became more prevalent, WRAS were being asked more and more whether they were suitable to be used for isolating the mains. That then drove them to clarify that as long as the valve was WRAS approved and complied to the new to BS EN107401:2000 standard, (all fittings attached to the UK water system must be WRAS approved and comply to BS(EN) standards, as far as the legislation is concerned) then it could be used on the UK's mains water supply.

Seems they have now revised the wording to make it more universal, which they seem to do all the time.

 

[ATTQ]

10.—(1) Every supply pipe or distributing pipe providing water to separate premises shall be fitted with a stopvalve conveniently located to enable the supply to those premises to be shut off without shutting off the supply to any other premises.

(2) Where a supply pipe or distributing pipe provides water in common to two or more premises, it shall be fitted with a stopvalve to which each occupier of those premises has access.

So it seems that the one in the street is what is referred to as it shuts off entirely and only my premises. Of course I'll have one where the pipe enters the house but the regulation really seems to be covered by the one in the street. Could argue its not convenient if need a tool to reach in and turn it I suppose

15.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, every water system shall contain an adequate device or devices for preventing backflow of fluid from any appliance, fitting or process from occurring.

It makes sense having the check valve at the entry to the house covers every eventuality. In my house there is only one on the boiler filling loop which I can see perfectly well why its needed. But there weren't any other appliances... until... just realized i plumbed the fridge in without one. So putting one at the entry removes the need to further concern over what is added later in the house.

Drain down to prevent freezing in winter if leaving the house unheated? Or about reducing water loss as below?

Water supply systems shall be capable of being drained down and be fitted with an adequate number of servicing valves and drain taps so as to minimize the discharge of water when water fittings are maintained or replaced. A sufficient number of stopvalves shall be installed for isolating parts of the pipework.

Just moving some pipes and doing this today. My house will have 3 lever valves for the cold supply. All Peggler DZR. One at entry to the house. The other 2 in a bedroom cupboard under the loft cold water storage tank, for flow to the tank and to cut off supply from the tank. Everyone in the house will be doing a emergency drill on what to do BEFORE phoning me in a panic if water ever comes out of the ceiling...

 

[ATTQ]

- the only suitable stop taps were always the traditional wind down compression type taps.

I'm certainly glad its changed. The existing stopcocks needed grips on to get them to move and seeped around the handle. A couple of gate valves in the house needed grips to get them to shut off fully. Useless for wife and kids in a panic situation. Good quality ball valves with a nice big handle and 1/4 turn are the way forward for sure.

 

[SirLancelot]

Conclusion:

TLDR: Post #3 on this thread.

Explanation:

1) Main Stop-valve (Wras approved - Lever or Stopcock) first.

2) Should then be followed by a DOUBLE Check Valve (to prevent backflow).

3) Then lastly, soon after both (1) & (2) there should be a drainoff.

Quite simply, this is best practice & is the most technically prudent way to go.

Easteregg:

Detailed technical Guidance - Isolation Valves - Arrows Valves

My sincere thanks to all that contributed to this thread.