With the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat predicting that there will be up to 145 projects that are 200m or taller completed in 2020, it’s clear that high-rise construction is not slowing down.

As our residential areas grow smaller due to the increasing demand for city living, plumbing installers are facing a number of workplace challenges such as space, aesthetics and efficiency. These lead to complex installation environments and it’s vital installers and contractors have access to quality products that offer space savings benefits, are quick to install and require minimal maintenance.

Rising to the test with riser cupboard installations

One example where plumbing installers feel the impact of a tight-squeeze is in riser cupboard installations. This is where chain of valves are fitted to control the flow of water to individual apartments through a multi-unit block.

Every individual apartment in a block of flats needs its own chain of valves. These consist of a pressure reducing valve (PRV), isolating valve, water meter, a double check and a stop valve.

Once these elements have been assembled, each chain needs to be fixed on to the pipes, flushed through, and tested. An end-to-end installation of a single chain can take experienced plumbers up to 10 minutes. And in blocks consisting of 10s if not hundreds of apartments, this can take hours.

Another challenge with chain of valves is their size. They can range extend up to one metre in length, and accommodating these bulky valves in ever reducing riser cupboard areas can be difficult.

The complexities of installing and maintaining chain of valves

Finding compatible valves, fittings and fixtures to build these chains of valves takes time and has its own set of risks. Usually contractors order different parts from several manufacturers to realise cost-effectiveness.

However, this can impact project timescales and cause delays if there are issues with deliveries or stock levels.

Sourcing products from different suppliers can also affect future repair works, as there is always a risk that some valves or products may have been discontinued.

To simplify these challenges, plumbing contractors need one product that integrates all elements that make up the chain of valves.

All-in-one valve solution

One way to overcome this space, time and aftermarket issue is by opting for an all-in-one solution such as the Tenant Valve Plus from Reliance Valves, that’s been developed specifically for multi-unit buildings. 

The solution has a compact 311mm unit cartridge design, that ensures a simple, quick and easy installation in riser cupboards. It includes all elements that make up the chain of valves, such as - a ball-type isolating valve, an approved stop valve, a pressure reducing valve, a double check valve, a dual reading pressure gauge/test point and a connection point for an optional water meter - all in a pre-insulated cover.

Servicing and maintenance of these valves is easy and efficient too. If an apartment has a leak, there’s no need to check every connection point on the chain of valves, which can take a long time. All components are accessible from the front of the Tenant Valves, which makes repair jobs much faster.

Build faster and smarter

As the need for multi-occupancy buildings and high-rise living increases, plumbing contractors must adopt smarter, intelligent and time-saving technologies. The all-in-one solution not only helps in solving critical space-saving challenges but also speeds up installations, all thanks to its compact design.

At RWC, we are always on hand to offer advice on intelligent space and time-saving solutions to simplify installation challenges.

So, get in touch with our team of experts for guidance on selecting the right plumbing solutions for your project.