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General Guidance

1. Design of sanitary installations

Comprehensive guidance on design is given in:

  • BS 6465-1: Covers the scale of sanitary installation provision for a wide range of building types, also detailed design and specification, including access and layout.
  • BS 6465-2: Covers space requirements for sanitary appliances.
  • BS 6465-3: Covers issues relating to the selection, installation and maintenance of sanitary appliances.

For Building Regulations guidance, see:

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2. Accessible design

For guidance on accessible design of sanitary facilities, see:


See also Building Regulations guidance:
  • E&W Approved Document M, Section 5 and 10.
  • IRL Technical Guidance Document M, Section 2.
  • NI Technical Booklet R, Sections 6 and 10.
  • Scot Technical Handbook 3.12, Domestic or Non-domestic.

2.1 Accessible sanitary installations

Accessible sanitary installations require careful product selection to meet specific requirements. See recommendations in BS 8300 – these do not apply to domestic settings (see instead ‘Draft for Development 266 – Design of accessible housing. Lifetime home – Code of practice’ ), but guidance may be useful.

BS 8300 recommends that water supplied from bath and basin taps should be thermostatically controlled, with a maximum temperature of 43°C at outlet. This is lower than recommended in some Building Regulations guidance, e.g. (Scot) Technical Handbook 4.9.5, Domestic or Non-domestic, so clarity is needed at design stage. Hot water pipes and wastes should be enclosed to prevent burns; any boxing in of pipework or mixer valves should not impede access to wash basins and the like.

2.1.1 'Document M packages'

Components to enable accessible sanitary installations to meet Building Regulation requirements are obtainable as kits of parts from many manufacturers. They are commonly referred to as 'Document M' or 'Doc M' packages. Alternatively, such facilities may be designed using separately specified components.

Note that baby change facilities should not be provided within unisex accessible WCs; they should be provided in a separate, accessible room. This room may also function as a nursing room, but privacy and comfort of the nursing mother and child must be considered if the space may be shared. It is useful if the room also has a toilet for use by parents and children.

2.1.2 'Changing Places' sanitary installation

The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organizations that has the aim of providing specific sanitary installations for use by people with complex and multiple disabilities. A Changing Places (CP) facility is a combined toilet and changing room – see BS 8300, clause 12.7. For further guidance on design refer to the Changing Places Consortium website. Typically, a CP facility should include:

  • Adult sized changing bench, height adjustable.
  • Handrails and grab bars.
  • Hoist system.
  • Washbasin.
  • WC suite (peninsular, with space both sides).
The facility may also include an accessible shower unit.

Accessories should include:
  • Clothes hooks.
  • Disposable aprons dispenser.
  • Disposable gloves dispenser.
  • Hand cleansing gel dispenser.
  • Hand drier.
  • Mirror.
  • Paper towel dispenser.
  • Privacy curtain.
  • Sanitary towel dispenser.
  • Sanitary towel disposal bin.
  • Shelves.
  • Soap dispenser.
  • Surface wipes dispenser.
  • Waste bins.
  • Wide paper roll dispenser.
Space requirements must allow for the disabled person and up to two carers.

Floor finish should be slip resistant.

2.2 Visual contrast

Independent use of public buildings is aided by careful selection of colours, patterns, light reflectance values (LRVs) and textures for surfaces and fittings – see BS 8300, clause 9.1. BS 8300, Annex B recommends a LRV contrast of 30 points or more, applicable to:

  • Support and grab rails against walls.
  • WC seat and cover against cistern and pan.
  • Sanitary fittings and accessories against background

A lower contrast of 20 points difference may be acceptable at higher lighting levels, e.g. minimum 200 lux. It is noted, however, that for door furniture a LRV contrast of 15 points may be sufficient, owing to its three-dimensional form and nature of finish.

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3. Specification of sanitary assemblies

This tool may be used to specify complete assemblies of components forming, e.g., a wash basin or WC.

Specify each variation (e.g. size, taps, tap hole position, waste fittings). The different assembly titles (e.g. 'wash basin with one tap hole') can then be used on drawings.

Where this would create excessive repetition of nearly identical assemblies, minor variations and permutations can be covered in schedules, e.g.:

  • WC schedule.
  • Sink schedule.

Department of Health memorandum HBN 00-10 gives guidance on selection and specification of sanitary assemblies for health buildings. Major manufacturers and suppliers provide product ranges directly referenced to the assemblies described.

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4. Specification of sanitary appliances

Sanitary appliances are generally specified by proprietary reference. This is partly to obtain the desired appearance, but also because generic specification is restricted by a lack of recent British or European Standards. For some types of appliance, the standards covering quality are over 20 years old and apply to only limited parts of manufacturers’ ranges. Even where standards are relevant, manufacturers do not necessarily claim compliance with them, and Kitemarking or other third party certification is rare. Where it is not viable to specify generically because of this, an alternative is to allow the contractor a choice of several equivalent proprietary products.

All appliances should have Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approval or equivalent, although some products may have been submitted for approval by manufacturers and not yet have received it.

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5. Water byelaws and regulations

All installations must comply with relevant Water Regulations/ Byelaws:

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6. WCs

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ‘Water supply (water fittings) regulations (1999): WC suite performance specifications 2000’ are mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland.

6.1 Types, Location

Close coupled WC suites have a unified appearance, with the cistern bolted directly to the top of the pan.

Low and high level suites have the cistern mounted above the pan with a separate flush pipe. These may be exposed in economy specifications or when providing new cisterns for existing WC pans, or concealed, e.g. in preplumbed panel systems.

Back-to-wall WC pans, usually only used with concealed cisterns, further improve appearance by concealing the outlet connections. Wall-hung WC pans have the added advantage of leaving the floor clear for ease of cleaning. Pans for attachment to cubicle/ washroom duct panelling (preplumbed or otherwise) will be either the back-to-wall or wall-hung type.

WCs situated against internal walls, especially when adjacent to bedrooms, may cause an unacceptable noise problem.

6.2 Materials, method of operation

Most WC pans are of vitreous china but fireclay and stainless steel are used for heavy duty and antivandal applications.

Washdown WCs are cleared by the volume and force of the flush water only. Siphonic types (single or double trap) operate more quietly by generating suction. Flushing valves may also be used, where acceptable to the water company (see guidance note 6.3). These allow repeated flushing without the usual delay whilst a cistern refills.

Box flushing rims are usual, but open or rimless types are available, e.g. for hospital use.

6.3 Flushing arrangements

In England, Wales and Scotland:

  • WCs must not deliver a flush volume greater than 6 L and must comply with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) performance specification.
  • Dual flush is permissible, provided that the reduced flush is no more that 4 L and the cistern is clearly labelled and defaults to the full flush; and
  • Flushing valves (with or without a cistern) are permitted instead of siphonic operation See BRE IP 8/97 for more information on low flush WCs.

Existing 9 or 7.5 L cisterns may be replaced like for like if the WC pan is not also replaced. Replacement with newer and smaller cisterns will not save water because repeated flushings will be needed.

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7. Composting toilets

Composting toilets are not connected to a sewage treatment facility and, unlike conventional WCs, do not use large quantities of pure drinking water for flushing. Water used for WC flushing is a very large proportion of the total UK consumption.

Composting toilets superficially resemble a normal WC without the cistern, but waste is held in a chamber where it breaks down. This happens naturally or is accelerated by mixing, aeration, or warming. The chamber must be emptied at intervals depending on its size, usage, and the type of installation. The waste may be suitable for direct use on the soil as compost, or may require further ‘composting’.

Smaller types of composting toilet with an integral container require more frequent emptying, usually by removing a tray. Types with a separate chamber can be emptied from outside and the container or vault can be larger – in some designs, two are used in rotation. The drawback is the more extensive building work necessary to accommodate the large storage volume and external emptying arrangements. Details of these should be shown on a drawing.

There are few standards covering composting WCs, but Building Regulations guidance (Scot: Technical Handbook, 3.12.2, Domestic) refers to NSF/ ANSI 41. Several of the commercially available types are of compact construction in plastics. Composting toilets can be successful and cost effective in certain quite specific circumstances:

  • Building owners and users must have a high level of commitment, and have some education in the unfamiliar methods of use. The design of the pan, for use without flushing, is unconventional; some types also separate urine from solid waste. In some designs, it is necessary to add absorbent material such as wood shavings after each use, and periodically to rake the contents of the chamber.
  • Where mains drainage is remote or inaccessible, the installed costs may be favourable. The units are quite expensive, and may require a power supply, or considerable building work and space for the chamber. However, the costs of these are offset against the drainage pipework, water supply and sewage treatment plant that would otherwise be needed. If water is metered, the cost in use may also be less.
  • There must be somewhere to spread, and/ or store prior to spreading, the waste removed from the chamber.

The last two points make it difficult to use composting toilets in many urban buildings. Water-saving alternatives to composting toilets, apart from conventional solutions, include:

  • Reed beds for sewage treatment.
  • ‘Low flush’ WCs.
  • Use of filtered and processed ‘grey’ water (e.g. domestic waste water) for WC flushing.

Building Regulation approval may depend on local interpretation, e.g. composting toilets may only be allowed as secondary to a conventional WC unless the building is over 30 m from the nearest mains drainage. In Scotland, Technical Handbook, 3.12.2, Domestic, allows their use in dwellings. Planning constraints may affect the spreading of wastes on soil, and this should also be checked from a health point of view. Although the quantities are quite small, handling precautions may be necessary if pathogens are present. Water Regulations or Byelaws apply if the appliance (e.g. low flush type) is connected to the mains water supply, and it is quite likely that imported models may not comply.

For further information, see:

  • 'Beating the cistern', Architects Journal, 30 July 1998, p45.
  • 'Super bowl ', Building Services Journal, September 1998, p51.

For the separate chamber type, show on a drawing the location and details of the separate chamber below the floor. This may be, e.g., a small compartment to house a proprietary container, a larger purpose built vault, or work to an existing basement.


Existing 9 or 7.5 L cisterns may be replaced like for like if the WC pan is not also replaced. Replacement with newer and smaller cisterns will not save water because repeated flushings will be needed.

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8. Urinals

For generic specifications, use:

  • BS 4880-1 Specification for urinals. Stainless steel slab urinals + AMD 1354
  • BS 5520 Specification for vitreous china bowl urinals (rimless type) + AMD 4913

8.1 Materials, cisterns

Urinals are available in vitreous china, fireclay, stainless steel and GRP.

BS 6700, clause 5.9.2.3 and the Water Regulations or Byelaws require that the cistern feed should not exceed 7.5 L/h per urinal bowl, stall, or 700 mm of slab width, and 10 L/h for a single bowl or stall. Water Regulations or Byelaws also require a water-saving device (e.g. time switch), water pressure variation sensor, or proximity sensor. Alternatively, in many cases, a flushing button or handle may be provided, although this is still unusual in UK practice.

BS 6700 is expected to be withdrawn when part 5 of BS EN 806 is published.

8.2 Fireclay slab urinals

Fireclay slab urinals have a high vandal resistance, but the structure behind, under and around them must be carefully detailed, specified and constructed to prevent penetration of water and urine. A high quality waterproofing system is essential, and the manufacturers recommended that jointing and grouting methods should be followed. A drawing is usually necessary to show details of the tread (raised or flush), requirements for glazing of end panels, layout of outlets, etc. The risk of leakage through the joints is high, and stainless steel troughs or one piece bowl urinals may be preferred.

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9. Bidets

Generic specification is limited to over rim supply (not ascending spray) bidets only:

  • BS EN 35 and BS 5505-3 – Pedestal bidets.
  • BS EN 36 and BS 5505-3 – Wall hung bidets.
  • See also BS EN 14528 Bidets. Functional requirements and test methods.

Water supply to bidets is by separate taps or mixer tap (preferably thermostatic), with or without adjustable spray nozzles (described as ‘over rim’ supply). There may also be a diverter to supply a douche spray rising from the bottom of the bowl.

Water Regulations or Byelaws usually have onerous requirements for the connection of bidets with rising douche or flexible handspray, e.g. a separate break tank. These measures will reduce water pressure, which may be inadequate for the bidet douche spray. Check the details with the manufacturer and/ or the water company.

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10. Baths

Most baths are of plastics materials, e.g. acrylic to BS EN 198, or proprietary materials giving equivalent or superior performance.

Enamelled steel baths, to BS 1390 and BS EN 232, are more resistant to abuse such as cigarette burns and severe abrasion. They may be available with a guarantee, and are sometimes preferred for institutional or hotel use. Cast iron baths to BS 1189 are still produced by a few manufacturers. The standard covers rectangular baths, size 1700 x 700 mm only. They offer the same advantages as steel baths, and are even more rigid and robust. Ranges of cast iron baths in other sizes and styles are also available, but not covered by a British Standard.

Manufacturers usually supply a suitable cradle for steel and plastics baths, in order to:

  • restrain movement in the bath itself;
  • transmit the load to the floor via, e.g. adjustable feet; and
  • fix the whole assembly rigidly to adjacent walls, particularly important with plastics baths, as movement can cause failure of sealant jointing between bath and wall.

Some cradles are also designed to provide fixings for bath side and end panels.

Timber floors may need extra joists to carry the structural loading from baths: TRADA Eurocode 5 span tables, paragraph 4.1.5, recommends that joists supporting a bath should be doubled. See also Building Regulations:

  • NI Technical Booklet D, Note 2 to Table 2.4.

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11. Taps, wastes and traps

11.1 Taps

The following British Standards deal with various aspects of sanitary tapware:

  • BS 1010-2 (obsolescent) – Dimensional requirements.
  • BS 5388 – Pillar and bib spray taps.
  • BS 5412 – Low resistance taps.
  • BS EN 200 – General technical specification.
  • BS EN 246 – Flow rate regulators.
  • BS EN 248 – Nickel chrome coatings.
  • BS EN 817 – Mechanical mixing valves – General technical specifications.
  • BS EN 1111 – Thermostatic mixing valves.
  • BS EN 1286 – Low pressure mechanical mixing valves.
  • BS EN 1287 – Low pressure thermostatic mixing valves.

Many taps comply with BS 1010 and/ or BS 5412 , but it would be advisable to check with manufacturers the availability of products complying with these standards if using a generic specification. Although dimensions in the standards are metric, taps are designated 'half inch' or 'three-quarter inch' to indicate the old imperial pipe size for connections.

Copper alloy taps are usually chromium plated. Other finishes are available, and for utilitarian purposes taps can be self-coloured and polished.

Taps connected to the mains should be designed or fitted in such a way that the outlet is not less than 12.5 mm above the lowest part of the top edge of the appliance.

The basic types of tap are:

  • Pillar: Suitable for mounting on a horizontal surface, having a vertical inlet.
  • Bib: Suitable for mounting on a vertical surface, having a horizontal inlet.
  • Combination tap assembly: A hot water tap and cold water tap coupled together with a common nozzle.
  • Self-closing: Operated by depressing a spring-loaded button head. With the non-concussive type the supply is gradually cut off when the button is released. Check that the supply pressure is suitable before specifying.
  • Single lever joy stick: Flow rate and temperature are controlled with a single lever.

Some taps have a high cost because of their appearance, e.g. reproduction designs, but are not necessarily of a high mechanical quality. The valve mechanism and the thickness of plating may be no better than on cheaper taps. It is worth checking these basic requirements with the manufacturer, especially where usage will be intensive.

The specification of taps must take into account accessibility and health and safety, including the needs of:

  • the partially sighted (differentiation of hot and cold and method of operation);
  • those with limited muscular control (lever taps are generally easy to operate); and
  • children, the elderly or infirm (regulation of water temperature to prevent scalding).

Mixer taps can be used to deliver maximum safe water temperatures, but this can also be achieved by regulating the temperature of the water supplied to the taps.

11.2 Balancing and regulation of supplies to taps and mixers

The specification of taps and mixers must take into account the type of hot and cold water supply. The traditional UK practice has been gravity feed (low pressure) for hot water and mains feed (high pressure) for some or all of the cold water. This is now changing towards mains pressure for both hot and cold supplies.

The specifier should ensure that the flow from water fittings such as taps and mixer valves is suitably regulated to:

  • prevent dangerous temperature fluctuations, e.g. when using non-thermostatic shower mixer valves or non-thermostatic mixer taps to supply showers or bidets through a diverter;
  • reduce splashing and improve control when using high pressure supplies; and
  • reduce noise emissions from taps supplied at high pressure.

Flow regulation and balancing of hot and cold supplies is achieved by the following:

  • The design of the water system, e.g. gravity or mains-fed;
  • Flow-reducing valves on the supply side of fittings – usually combined with servicing valves;
  • Specifying different aerator nozzles in certain types of taps;
  • Selecting a suitable type of tap or mixer; for example, ceramic disc taps are more suitable for higher pressures than low resistance designs intended for gravity-fed supplies.

11.3 Wastes

See BS EN 274-1, -2 and -3. The four basic types are:

  • Plug wastes: These may include plugs, chains, chain stays, tail pipes, coupling nuts, bath overflows and overflow front grids. Plug wastes are also available with pop-up plugs, operated by lever or by a mechanism incorporated in the tap assembly.
  • Standing wastes: These are a variant of plug wastes. Instead of a plug, a tube is used to retain the water and act as an overflow. Commonly used in hospitals and laboratories.
  • Grated wastes: Similar to plug wastes, except that the grid is flush with the top surface. Water byelaws require appliances to be fitted with a plug unless the tap or valve is designed to deliver water at a rate not exceeding 0.05 L/s (3 L/minute). This restricts the use of grated wastes to basins and troughs with spray taps, shower trays and drinking fountains.
  • Strainer wastes: These require a 90 mm hole in the sink which is also the size required for waste disposal units. BS 6700, clause 5.9.2.4 requires every appliance to be fitted with a plug except a shower tray, medical, dental or veterinary appliances or where water is supplied at less than 3.6 L/minute (e.g. spray taps). BS 6700 is expected to be withdrawn when part 5 of BS EN 806 is published.

Wastes will usually be specified as part of a sanitary assembly, to suit a particular appliance. Certain options may need to be specified, e.g. size, finish, slotted tail pipe (for use in appliances with an overflow), and method of fixing plug chain, e.g.:

  • Shackle to overflow front grids when fitted.
  • Bolt type stay to a hole in the appliance.
  • Screw type stay to the wall.

Anti-theft (captive) plugs are advisable in many public locations. Accessible rotating versions of these are available, with a raised knob.

Recent British Standards specify the diameter of wastes, waste pipes and traps as ‘DN’, or nominal diameter. This is a round number close to the actual manufactured sizes (in millimetres) of pipes and fittings in various different materials.

11.4 Traps

Plastics traps are specified in BS EN 274-1, -2 and -3. Traps should be accessible and roddable, or capable of being easily dismantled. Check that traps are compatible with pipework, for example, resealing traps may be needed for long pipe runs. Types available include:

  • Tubular traps: These have a uniform cross-section.
  • Bottle traps: The water seal is formed by a dip tube or vane within the body of the trap, the lower part of the trap being removable for access. Bottle traps are often used in conjunction with wash basins where the trap is exposed, or where there may be difficulty in fitting a tubular trap.
  • Resealing traps: For use with unventilated small size discharge pipes where, because of the arrangement of the pipework, siphonage would otherwise occur. They do not protect the water seal from back pressure. Resealing traps should be regularly inspected and maintained. Some types can be noisy in operation.

Typical minimum waste and trap sizes are as follows (see also BS EN 12056-2, table 6):

Type of Appliance Diameter (DN) Type of Appliance Diameter (DN)
Wash basin 30 Urinal bowl* 50
Bidet 30 Urinal stall* 65
Kitchen sink 40 Food-waste
Bath 40 Disposal unit 40
Shower tray 40 (domestic) 50
Wash tub 50 (industrial)
Drinking fountain 30 Sanitary towel 40
Bar Well 30 Macerator

*Where there are more than six stalls in one range, more than one outlet should be provided.

11.5 Self-sealing valves

Self-sealing waste valves are a waterless alternative to conventional traps and have a number of benefits, including greater flexibility for the drainage connections of appliances in close proximity in domestic bathrooms. To specify self-sealing valves in this work section, delete the ‘Traps’ item and insert new text as required.

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12. Preplumbed panel systems

In these systems, sanitary appliances are factory assembled onto duct lining panels, usually laminated plastics veneered. Pipework and cisterns are hidden behind the panels, which can be coordinated with vanity unit work tops and cubicle partitions to give a uniform appearance. Preplumbed panel systems can include integrated vanity units.

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13. Proximity sensors

These are electronic devices used to control the automatic operation of spray taps in wash basins, urinal flushing cisterns, WC flushing, showers and bidet sprays. Some types are battery powered, others will need a mains power supply.

Several BREEAM models typically require either individual presence detectors that operate the flushing control after each use or ultra-low flush or waterless urinals to be considered for the award of a credit – see guidance note 15. See also guidance note 16 for information on Enhanced Capital Allowances.

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14. Health, safety and environmental issues

14.1 Health and safety

When connecting appliances, the contractor should take suitable precautions against the risk of fire if materials (e.g. cast iron, steel, copper) require soldering, welding, or cutting that may generate sparks.

Steel baths may weigh over 60 kg, and cast iron over 100 kg. Consider handling requirements, particularly in confined spaces, and including removal of existing baths.

14.2 Water conservation

Government regulation and manufacturers’ innovations are directed towards reducing water consumption. The specifier can aid this as follows:

  • Specify WC cisterns with a maximum flush of 6 L (mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland).
  • Specify single lever mixer taps which control the water temperature and flow.
  • Provide showers as an alternative to baths (domestic).
  • Fit existing showers with flow restrictors in the shower head or supply pipe – BRE IP 2/00 gives details of available types.
  • Avoid power showers with high flow rates – some may use over 20 L/minute, meaning that a 5 minute shower will use more water than a bath.
  • Fit flow restrictors to appliances such as basins where water flow may be uncontrolled during use. A servicing valve usually provides this function.
  • Specify auto-shutoff taps in nondomestic buildings.
  • Specify proximity sensors in nondomestic buildings.
  • Advise building users to limit water pressure to a practical minimum.
  • Specify waterless urinals.
  • Specify composting toilets.

For further information, see BRE IP 15/98.

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15 BREEAM

Several BREEAM models award credits where low water use fittings, aimed at minimizing the consumption of potable water in sanitary applications, are used. Compliance requirements vary between models. Refer to the particular BREEAM Assessor manual, dependent upon the building type, for further details. See also NBS and BREEAM for more information.

The types of fittings to consider include WCs, urinals, taps and showers. In order to be considered for the award of a credit, BREEAM models require all taps (excluding kitchen taps, cleaners’ sinks and external taps) to have a maximum flow rate less than 6 L/min for a water pressure of 0.3 MPa, and are one of, or a combination of, the following types:

  • Timed automatic shut-off taps e.g. push taps.
  • Electronic sensor taps.
  • Low flow screw-down/ lever taps.
  • Spray taps.

This requirement does not apply to ‘scrub’ facilities in clinical areas, or other instances where such fittings would be inappropriate for medical/ health-related reasons.

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16. Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs)

ECAs enable a business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery. There are three schemes for ECAs:

  • Energy-saving plant and machinery.
  • Low carbon dioxide emission cars and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
  • Water conservation plant and machinery.

Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these technologies against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment. This can deliver a helpful cash flow boost and a shortened payback period.

The 2001 Budget Report announced support for business investment in environmentally friendly technologies under the Green Technology Challenge. This allowed for the introduction of a 100% first year ECA scheme on water-saving and water quality-improving technologies.

The Water Technology List was published in 2003 and is in two parts:

  • The Water Technology Criteria List consists of technologies and their eligibility criteria and will be reviewed on an annual basis, to include the introduction of new technologies.
  • The Water Technology Product List gives the eligible products and, in some cases, claim values to be used when the product is incorporated in a larger piece of equipment. This is updated at the beginning of each month on the website.

Under the ECA scheme, expenditure on technologies and products on the list can qualify for 100 per cent first year allowances. The key features of the scheme are as follows:

  • All businesses are now able to claim ECAs, regardless of size or location, or whether they are in the industrial or commercial sector.
  • ECAs permit the full cost of the investment in specified technologies to be relieved for tax purposes against taxable income of the period of the investment.
  • The qualifying technologies will have to meet defined water-saving criteria.
  • There are no territorial restrictions on manufacturers wishing to place their products on the list or the source of products.
  • Only investments in new and unused plant and machinery can qualify.

For the HM Revenue and Customs guide to Enhanced 100% Capital Allowances and Water Saving Investment, see the website.

16.1 Eligibility

Manufacturers have to apply to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with evidence that their products comply with the Water Technology Criteria List. The eligibility criteria that they must meet in order for them to become ECA qualified can be found on the Enhanced Capital Allowances website. The product/ system types listed below are on the Water Technology List:

16.1.1 Efficient showers:

  • Aerated showerheads.
  • Auto shut off showers.
  • Flow regulators.
  • Low flow showerheads.
  • Low flow showerheads.

16.1.2 Efficient taps:

  • Automatic shut off taps.
  • Electronic taps.
  • Low flow screw-down/ lever taps.
  • Spray taps.

16.1.3 Efficient toilets:

  • Low flush toilets.
  • Retrofit WC flushing devices.
  • Urinal controls.

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