Sustainable, Efficient and Effective
Dated: 19/11/2002
Specifiers can now select a water-efficient WC with confidence, thanks to the Ifö Cera ES4 (4.5 litre) WC, available from Green Building Store. Developed by UK water conservation specialists Elemental Solutions, in association with Ifö Sanitar AB and Thomas Dudley Ltd, the Ifö Cera ES4 has just received official approval from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). This means that it is one of the very few WCs on the UK market to have received independent WRAS verification as to its compliance with the Government’s stringent new Regulations.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, which came into force for WCs in January 2001, set out a new maximum flush volume for WCs of 6 litres, as well as citing a number of tests to prove flushing efficacy and performance. Ergonomic design and precision engineering means that the Ifö Cera ES4 works very effectively even with an ultra-low flush volume. It sailed through the WRAS performance tests with flying colours and, with its exceptionally low flush volume of 4.5 litres, has far surpassed the Regulations’ own requirements.
The Ifö Cera ES4 is the most water-efficient siphon-flush WC available in the UK. Other currently available low-flush WCs use dual flush valve technology to achieve average flush volumes of less than 6 litres. Whilst these appear to offer similar water savings to the Ifö Cera ES4, the valve flush mechanisms can jam and will eventually leak, leading to water wastage. Valve flush WCs are also relatively unfamiliar in the UK and require specialist maintenance. In addition, current research suggests that in real world situations, dual flush mechanisms do not necessarily offer the water savings one might expect.1
The Ifö Cera ES4 has proven itself over many years for such clients as the Forestry Commission and the National Trust, and is recommended in a Best Practice Guide for Visitor Toilets at National Trust properties. However, the Ifö Cera ES4 is also equally suitable for domestic applications and it has been selected for a number of high-specification domestic projects.
For more information on Ifö Cera ES4 WCs, call the Green Building Store sales team on 01484 461705 or visit www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk.
Notes for the Editor
References
1. For more on the Valve versus Siphon and Dual versus Single Flush debates, see article on Water Closets in Building for a Future (AECB magazine), Autumn 2002.
Notes
• Ifö Cera ES4 received its WRAS approval on 3/9/02
• Ifö Sanitar AB, is one of the leading manufacturers of building services installation products for bathrooms and kitchens in Scandinavia. The company has pioneered the development of environmental products, including water-saving technology.
• Thomas Dudley Ltd is one of the UK’s leading WC cistern manufacturers, with an established record in water-saving technology.
• Elemental Solutions specialises in sustainable water management.
• Green Building Store is a leading supplier of sustainable building products throughout the UK.