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Revised Water
Fittings Regulations for Northern Ireland apply from the 3rd August
2009. They are principally the same as The Water Supply (Water Fittings)
Regulations 1999 that apply to England and Wales. There are however a few
differences.
The Water Supply
(Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 are available through the
following link to the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development
website:
http://www.drdni.gov.uk/the_water_supply__water_fittings__regulations__ni__2009-3.pdf
Guidance on the
differences between the Northern Ireland and England and Wales regulations can
be found at:
http://www.drdni.gov.uk/guidance_for_the_water_fittings_regulations.pdf
Enforcement.
Northern Ireland
Water will be responsible for the enforcement of these new Water Regulations
through their Plumbing Inspection Teams. One of the differences is that Northern
Ireland Water will be required to publish an annual report detailing levels of
enforcement activity. The new regulations also give Northern Ireland Water the
power to recoup any reasonable costs incurred to rectify any contamination
incidents caused by contravention of the regulations.
Notification.
The Water Supply
(Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 require notification on
several more particular installations, including any sort of reclaimed water
system. The list of installations not requiring notification by an approved
contractor has also been extended. Please refer to section 5 of the Northern
Ireland Water Regulations.
Northern Ireland
Water will be solely responsible for the management of any new Approved
Contractors Scheme. However, no approved contractor can install a Type BA (RPZ)
backflow prevention device without the consent of Northern Ireland Water.
Technical
Differences.
There have been minor technical changes from the 1999 Water
Regulations to the 2009 Northern Ireland Water Regulations. These are:
(i) that
the permissible maximum temperature of cold water within a pipe is reduced
to 20oC,
(ii)
that there is no longer an obligation to display
operating instruction for dual flush toilets permanently marked on the
cistern and
(iii)
pressure flushing cisterns shall be installed in
accordance with a method approved by Northern Ireland Water or incorporate a
recognised backflow prevention device.
Water
Regulations And Guidance.
Useful Contacts.
For technical advice
and assistance with the application of the Regulations, you should consult
Northern Ireland Water Limited or WRAS.
For Northern Ireland
Water, technical queries should be addressed to:
Michael McGreevy
Water Regulation
Manager
Northern Ireland
Water Limited
Ballykeel Office
Larne Road
Ballymena BT42 3HA
Telephone: 0845
7440088
Email:
waterline@niwater.com
WRAS provides
assistance to the water industry and general public in the consistent
application and interpretation of the Regulations. WRAS publish a range of
useful information and guidance notes to facilitate compliance with the
Regulations including a Directory listing Approved Products, which meet the
requirements of the Regulations.
The Scheme can be
contacted at:
WRAS Ltd,
30 Fern Close,
Pen-y-Fan
Industrial Estate,
Oakdale,
Gwent,
NP11 3EH.
Tel: 01495 248454
email:
info@wras.co.uk.
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