Copy of `Mira Showers - Glossary of Terms`

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Mira Showers - Glossary of Terms Category: General technical and industrial > Showers Date & country: 15/12/2007, UK Words: 149

Flow Pressure
See Dynamic Pressure.

Fixed Shower Head
An over head fixed height shower head.

Float Operated Valve
Is a valve used to control the flow of water into a cistern, the valve being controlled by the level of water in the cistern.

Expansion Vessel
A vessel which contains a device either to accommodate thermal expansion of water or to absorb the pressure shock waves of water hammer.

Expansion Pipe
See Vent Pipe.

Expansion Vessel
See Pressure Accumulator.

Electrical Heating Element
A component used in an instantaneous electric shower to heat the water.

Ev
A surface mounted mixer control (exposed) supplied with a hose, adjustable slide bar, clamp bracket, adjustable handset and soap dish.

Electric Shower
An instantaneous electric shower draws water directly from a cold water supply and heats it as it is used, so you don't need to have a stored hot water supply.

Dynamic Pressure
The water pressure in the pipework to a fitting whilst flow is taking place.

Duty Cycle
The recommended operating time of the product expressed as a time ‘on` and a time ‘off ‘. A continuously rated pump can be operated non stop.

Dual flush
The cistern offers the option of a water saving or full volume flush. Current UK flush volumes are 4 and 6 litres of water.

Dual flow taps
Hot and cold supplies are of different pressures. They come from a single spout but are not pre-mixed - beware of scalding.

Downstream
In the same direction as flow away from a given point of reference. (With the flow of water from a given point of reference)

Double Pole Switch
An electrical switching device in which the continuity of both the mains live and neutral is broken upon the action of the switch giving a contact separation of at least 3mm.

Double Ended Pump
See Twin Pump.

Double Check Valve
Two check valves in series with a test point between the two.

Deck mounted taps
Sit on the edge of the basin or bath. (as opposed to being wall mounted)

Distributing Pipe
Means any pipe (other than a flush pipe or warning pipe) conveying water from a cold water storage cistern.

Cylinder Flange
A plumbing fitting which can be fitted to a hot water cylinder to provide a dedicated hot water supply to a terminal fitting.

Concealed
See Built-in.

Cross flow
The water flow from one side of a hot/cold water mixer to the other, possibly leading to a contamination of the water supply.

Combination boiler
A combi is so called because it combines both a central heating boiler and a water heater into one compact, self-contained and economical unit. Unlike a conventional heating and hot water system, a combi does not store hot water. Instead it heats water directly from the cold mains. This is more energy-efficient and can considerably reduce hot water costs, which can account for up to 60% of a typical domestic fuel bill.

Cold Water Storage Cistern
A fixed container for holding water at atmospheric pressure usually used for providing a feed to a vented domestic hot water cylinder. It can also be used to provide a vented cold supply to terminal fittings.

Close coupled WC
The underside of the cistern rests directly on the back of the WC bowl creating a compact unit with low overall height. Some contemporary designs appear almost like a single item.

Cistern
Means a fixed container for holding water at atmospheric pressure. It is normally fitted with a float operated valve and warning pipe.

Check Valve
A plumbing fitting designed to allow water flow in one direction only.

Ceramic Disc Valve
A valve where the functional parts are highly polished ceramic components which slide across and seal against each other to control water flow (and sometimes temperature).

Cabinet Power Showers
See All-in-One Power Showers

Cavitation
Localised boiling of water below 100°C caused by a reduction in pressure due to flow conditions.

Ceramic disc taps - technology
Taps which can be turned on or off with just a quarter turn. Ceramic discs inside the tap create a watertight seal and drip-free 'off' position.

Bulkhead Fitting
See Wall Outlet Connector.

Cabinet Power Showers
See All-in-One Power Showers.

Built-in
A valve installed where the body is recessed in the wall.

Built-in - Back-to-wall
Some specially designed bathroom furniture conceals the cistern, supports the basin and hides pipework, creating storage space into the bargain. Easy to clean and great for compact or family bathrooms. The WC and bidet may be described as 'back-to-wall'.

Box rim WC
The rim of the WC pan carrying the flushing water is a tube with accurately positioned holes in the underside. Bowl cleaning is superior because the water flow is used more efficiently and the operation is quieter. Not all WC's have a box rim - some have 'open rim'.

Bonding Clamp
A metal strap fastened to a pipe or fitting to enable electrical earth bonding.

Body Jets
Wall mounted sprays usually installed in multiples.

Body Showers
See Body Jets.

Body Sprays
See Body Jets.

Backflow
Means a flow in a direction contrary to the intended normal direction of flow.

Bar
A unit of measurement of water pressure approximately equivalent to a column of water 10m high or 14.5 lbf/in2 or 100 kPa. per bar.

Back-to-wall
The cistern is separate from pan and concealed behind a wall or inside fitted furniture. This can look very streamlined and can be an effective and economical use of space in a small bathroom.

Back Siphonage
Means a backflow caused by the siphonage of liquid from a cistern or appliance into the pipe feeding it, possibly leading to a contamination of the water supply.

Automatic Air Vent
A mechanical device with an integral float that releases air when the water level drops within it. Normally fitted at the highest point of a plumbing system to release trapped air.

All-in-One Power Shower
A product which houses a pump and some form of integrated shower control. It needs a low pressure cistern fed supply of stored hot and cold water.

All-in-One Power Shower
An all in one power shower features a pump and integrated shower control and requires a low pressure cistern fed supply of stored hot and cold water.

Airlock
Section of pipework which, due to its layout, enables a pocket of air to be trapped. This results in zero or very little flow through the pipe.

Activity space
The Ideal sized space in front of and to the sides of the bath, basin, WC and bidet to allow standing / sitting room and room to move.