DoE PROJECT 10B WATER ECONOMY 11727/2
Report No DWI0709/2

Jul 1995

SUMMARY

This report compares the performance tests required of WCs and flushing devices in various countries around the world. Installation and maintenance requirements, including qualifications of personnel, are also reviewed.

An overview of attitudes to water conservation and regulatory systems applicable to plumbing installations is provided.

Eleven countries were considered in the survey, extending to North America, Japan and Australasia and including six leading countries in the European Union.

General attitudes to water conservation vary between countries but awareness of water use is likely to be influenced by measurement of individual supplies. In all the countries surveyed water meters were either universally used or installed in the vast majority of residential buildings. This compares with a water meter penetration of just over 5% amongst households in the UK. It can be argued that charging for a measured supply of water gives greater encouragement for householders to rectify leaks or install water conserving equipment.

The structure of regulations affecting plumbing installations varies between countries, but in most countries requirements are ultimately set and enforced at local level, based on national model regulations and standards. In Germany and the Netherlands as well as most parts of the USA, Canada and Australia standards and codes of practice are regulatory documents, enforced by regional or local government or water undertakings.

In most countries WCs and flushing devices are required to meet relevant standards or other criteria. In Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia an approval mark issued by a particular certifying body is required.

Installation requirements for WCs are set out in regulations or in "deemed to satisfy" guidance. In most countries the installation must be carried out by a qualified and registered plumber.

Specific requirements for regular maintenance of WC systems and their components were only found in a few countries. In general, enforcement of any requirements, particularly amongst privately owned single family dwellings, is likely to be limited to response to defects affecting neighbours or the supply main.

Table 1 gives an overview of the test requirements for WC pans in eight of the countries surveyed with requirements of the current British Standards and the draft European Standard included for comparison purposes.

Table 1 Overview of Test Requirements for WC Pans
Flushing Efficiency D F I NL SW US J A UK CEN
Pan Surface Washing
Sawdust Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Ink Y Y Y
Toilet Paper Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Solids Removal
Single ball Y Y Y Y(4)
40 balls Y
50 balls Y Y Y Y(5)
100 balls Y
Test pieces(1) Y Y(2) Y Y(6)
Sponges Y Y Y(3)
Granules Y
Liquid dilution Y Y Y
After Flush Volume(1) Y Y(2) Y Y(6)
Drain carry Y
Over splashing Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
 
Other Characteristics D F I NL SW US J A UK CEN
Retention of trap seal Y Y Y Y
Leakage/capacity Y
Water absorption Y Y Y Y Y
Static load Y Y Y Y Y
KEY: D - Germany; F - France; I - Italy; NL - The Netherlands;
SW - Sweden; US - U.S.A; J - Japan; A - Australia; CEN - draft European Standard

Notes:

  1. Special test pieces containing metal tracking rings.
  2. Additional test required for WC pans for use with flush volumes of 7 litres or less.
  3. Sponge test only applicable to Japanese style pans.
  4. Required only for pans to be used with cisterns containing syphons.
  5. Required only for pans to be used with cisterns containing valves or pressure flushing valves having nominal flush volumes of 7 or 9 litres.
  6. Required only for pans to be used with cisterns or pressure flushing valves having a nominal flush volume of 6 litres.

The most comprehensive set of tests for flushing efficiency are those contained in the American National Standard ANSI/ASME A112.19.6 (1990).

Table 2 presents an overview of test requirements in various countries for flushing cisterns, cistern components and other flushing devices.

Table 2 Overview of Test Requirements for Flushing Devices
Type CISTERNS FM BV PV
Country D A UK F F J D US
Flush volume Y Y Y Y(1) Y
Discharge rate Y Y Y Y - - Y Y
Force of water jet - - Y Y
Fill time/rate Y Y - Y Y - -
Noise level Y Y Y
Backflow Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Leakage/pressure Y Y Y Y Y Y
Structural strength Y Y Y Y Y
Reliability Y Y Y Y Y
KEY:
FM - Flushing mechanisms for cisterns;
BV - Ball float valves for cisterns;
PV - Pressurised flushing devices;
D - Germany; F - France; US - U.S.A.; J - Japan; A - Australia

Note 1. Test for variation in water level.

Copies of this report may be available as an Acrobat pdf download under the 'Find Completed Research' heading on the DWI website.