Regulations for installing a bidet

Justagardener

Hi All
When installing a handheld bidet spray, I understand there may be some water regulations that should be followed but they are somewhat confusing. I have two questions...
1) Should they be installed with a non return valve at the Tvalve point? 
2) Does the the cistern count as an air gap above the installation?

nofoollikeold

1. A non-return valve is wholly inadequate for backflow prevention in these circumstances.
2. The cistern is not an air gap.
3. The installation of a "bidet spray" is generally against the Water Regulations, unless they are installed on the feed from a cold water storage cistern which in itself provides the necessary air gap.  This must not be the same as the ordinary domestic cold water storage cistern but one dedicated for the purpose.
4. The fact that people sell them doesn't mean they are allowed to be installed.

Justagardener

"The installation of a "bidet spray" is generally against the Water Regulations, unless they are installed on the feed from a cold water storage cistern which in itself provides the necessary air gap.  This must not be the same as the ordinary domestic"
OK thanks for the info, why is a storage cistern considered an air gap and a toilet cistern not?

grumbler

Justagardener said:

OK thanks for the info, why is a storage cistern considered an air gap and a toilet cistern not?

It would if you feed the bidet shower from the cistern, not the mains pipe before the cistern. In this case the pressure will obviously be far too low for the shower to work .

That said, personally I wouldn't hesitate to install it. Just make sure that when not used it can't fall accidentally to the toilet. As simple as that.

I have one, but I my system is gravity fed with a water tank in the loft.

Justagardener

OK thanks grumbler... that makes sense. I understand the dangers. Although you could get into that " bidet trigger is off" and  "bath shower attachments etc etc" argument.
I assume that none of this applies to bidet toilet seats?

grumbler

I guess so.

A side note -  if you go for a shower, consider connecting it to both hot and cold water via a thermostatic mixer valve. However, as the flow is low, and you use it not for a long time, even with the mixer the water usually remains cool (room temperature).

Justagardener

Ha Will do.