The Valve

The ValvesUse 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

Shower Heads

Hand Shower

Body Spray

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 DrainIn 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 WaterThe 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

Volume Control

Custom Showers are generally designedwith separate on/off volume controls

One for the shower headOne for the hand showerOne 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

Pressure Balance Loop

Positioning Shower Components

Positioning Shower ComponentsA ) 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

Positioning Shower ComponentsC)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

Positioning Shower ComponentsNote: 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 ComponentsG) Volume controls (on/off valves) should be

easily accessible to anyone using the shower, usually about waist high and slightly above the thermostat valve .