Installation in gents toilets at student pub/restaraunt

[CAWORK]

HI. Yesterday I noticed in a student pub in the city that there is some electrical work in the gents toilets which I was wondering if it is ok.

1. Cable (NOT flex)goes from FCU to fan.

2. Supply to FCU comes from ceiling light- is this permitted?

3. Some kind of electrical device on wall above urinal fed from FCU with flex from unit in device through mini trunking-with slot cut out of mini trunking to enable trunking to go past cold water pipe......flex in contact with pipe! (cold water) installed 2/3 weeks ago.

Any comments?

 

[securespark]

Cable is used in this situation, but normally where it is buried. Where on the surface, it is normally flex.

Maybe they've come off a 6 or 10A lighting circuit and want to fuse down to 3A...

Feed is probably to Cistermiser. Cables should not really be in contact with pipework.

 

[plugwash]

not the best of installations but nothing really dangerous. I've seen much worse in public buildings.

 

[Steve]

How do "cistermisers" work? It's always intregued me, the only electrical thing nearby is the valve above the tank, so how does it "flush", and when does it decide to flush?

 

[Chri5]

How sad is it to be getting merry in a pub and being bored enough to pass comment on the wiring in the WC.

90% of pubs have very poor standards for wiring, have a look in the average pub beer store / chill area and your see exactly what I mean.

I blame landlords for getting electricians drunk on duty

 

[Spark123]

How do "cistermisers" work? It's always intregued me, the only electrical thing nearby is the valve above the tank, so how does it "flush", and when does it decide to flush?

The one I fitted, given it a few years ago now had a PIR detector on it. Supplied from the mains via a 1A FSU when someone came into range it opened the valve for half an hour. If no on came into range for I think it was 12 hours it opened the valve again for half an hour, to keep it smelling sweet!
These things also run on batteries, the way I understood the valve worked was the controller sent a short DC signal to make the valve open. To close the valve a short reverse polarity DC signal was sent, but I'll stand corrected on this if someone knows better!!
There are also ones which work when the cold water pressure drops, but this relies on blokes washing their hands!!

 

[plugwash]

afaict urinals flush by themselves when the tank fills to over a certain level. traditionally they were trickle filled constantly but this is pretty wastefull since they will use water even when no one uses them.

theese units aim to stop that by only filling the tank when people are using the urinals.

 

[CAWORK]

How sad is it to be getting merry in a pub and being bored enough to pass comment on the wiring in the WC.

90% of pubs have very poor standards for wiring, have a look in the average pub beer store / chill area and your see exactly what I mean.

I blame landlords for getting electricians drunk on duty

Cos I was having a quiet drink by myself, nobody else felt like coming to the pub so it was quite boring, thats why I commented on the wiring.

 

[Lectrician]

before cistermisers, they used to use a flow valve.

The valve would detect a drop in pressure, and fill the tank while the pressure was lower than when 'normal'. The tank would then fill until full, and then flush as pluggy says above.

The pressure drop is created by the tap of the sink being run. IE WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER A PEE, AND THE TANK WILL FILL.....AND FLUSH.

Problem is, very few people wash their hands!

Then came about the cistermiser! Battery operated, or mains operated. Can be ultrasonic (detect you through 'micro type waves"), or use a PIR. The more people it detects, the quicker it fills the tank (basically).

 

[CAWORK]

Just noticed yesterday, that the FCU has had the flex pulled from it, breaking the fcu plate, leaving wires exposed!

It has only been there a month if that - bl00dy vandals.