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Multi Head Showers. The Valve. The Valves. Use ¾ ” thermostatically controlled valves It ’ s not necessary to have ¾ ” supply connected to ¾ ” valve. How Many Heads?.
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The Valves • Use ¾” thermostatically controlled valves • It’s not necessary to have ¾” supply connected to ¾” valve.
How Many Heads? The sum total flow of all shower outlets (Shower heads, Hand Showers, Body Sprays) combined cannot exceed the maximum flow rate of the valve at a given water pressure
Example: Shower head delivers 2.5gpm at 80psi* 5 heads x 2.5gpm = 12.5gpm Valve is rated at 16gpm No problem! * 50psi is recommended for showers with 3 or more heads
What happens when the home owner removes the restrictors? Unrestricted, the flow rate of a typical shower head will be approx. 4.5gpm. 4.5 x 5 = 22.5 Now the 16gpm valve can’t deliver
Note: Do not tee off of a single ½” or ¾” supply to service two or more thermostatic valves. Solution: If you need more than one valve use a 1” supply or plumb each valve with a separate supply directly from the main or manifold
The Drain • In the prior example 5 heads could deliver 62.5 gallons of water in 5 minutes. • Where will it go? • Two 2” drains or one 3” drain is recommended for the multi head shower Note: Pay particular attention to this on accessible showers
Hot Water • The bigger the shower, and more heads means more HOT WATER! • A 50 gallon hot water heater will supply a 4 head custom shower for approx. 8 minutes. • 100 gal should be a minimum
Custom Showers are generally designed with separate on/off volume controls • One for the shower head • One for the hand shower • One per three body sprays
Body Spray • Any configuration of 2 or more body spray heads must include a pressure balance loop. • This insures that each head delivers the same spray volume and temperature
Positioning Shower Components A ) User height is a critical factor in setting the height of shower outlets. Note: Children or anyone confined to a wheelchair can be accommodated by a hand held shower head. B )The shower head should be set at a level above the head of the tallest user but within the reach of the shorter user. (excluding children)
Positioning Shower Components C )The top level body-spray is normally set at shoulder height. It should not spray into the face of the user. D)The mid-level body spray is normally set at waist or hip level. E) The lowest level body spray is normally set at thigh level or knee height.
Positioning Shower Components Note: Body sprays should be place on a different plane than the shower head. The idea is to have the entire body covered by water. F )The thermostatic temperature control valve should be set at approx. waist height and should be easily accessible.
Positioning Shower Components • G) Volume controls (on/off valves) should be easily accessible to anyone using the shower, usually about waist high and slightly above the thermostat valve .