The Installer's Guide To Drinking Fountains & Bottle Fillers

Installer’s Guide: How to Fit a Drinking Fountain or Bottle Filler

Installing a drinking fountain can seem a little daunting, but it is a relatively straightforward procedure. Of course, there’s no shame in calling in an outside contractor - but with the right tools and knowledge, almost anyone can install a drinking fountain.

Still undecided between a drinking fountain or a bottle filler? Wall mounted or floor standing? Then head over to our buyer’s guide to find out more about the options that are available. Otherwise, read on to find out everything you need to know about location, mounting height, installation and more.

Location

First and foremost, your drinking fountain should be installed as close to the main drinking water supply as possible - ideally, the branch pipe that supplies water to your drinking fountain should be no more than one metre long. The longer the branch pipe, the more likely it is that water will begin to pool and stagnate, leading to a deterioration in water quality.

It is also highly inadvisable to install a drinking fountain in toilet facilities, owing to the risk of cross contamination. When a toilet is flushed, airborne contaminants are released into the air and can infect anything they come across - including the mouthpiece of your drinking fountain.

Wall mounted units, which are less stable than floor standing or recessed designs, are best kept out of high traffic areas where they could be accidentally knocked and damaged by passersby.

The unit and the pipework that supplies should be protected from extremes of temperature, such as from boilers or direct sunlight. If you’re installing your fountain outdoors, it’s a good idea to insulate your pipes to prevent freezing.

Mounting height

If you’ve opted for a wall mounted drinking fountain, then you’ll need to do some thinking about how high up to install it. There are no hard and fast rules on mounting height, but as a rule of thumb, we tend to recommend 915mm for adults and 762mm for juniors.

A junior height installation will also be appropriate for wheelchair users; it is advisable to install at least one fountain at this height if your venue caters to people with disabilities, such as hospitals or care homes.

If you have decided on a floor standing drinking fountain, you will be pleased to know that we also carry junior height models.

How to

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect location and mounting height for your water fountain, it’s time for the tricky part: plumbing it in. Of course, every drinking fountain is different, but the simple steps below should be all you need.

What you’ll need

- Drinking fountain/bottle filler
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench

1. In the case of wall mounted and floor standing drinking fountains, screw the supplied wall fixing brackets into the wall at the appropriate height. For pedestal drinking fountains, screw the baseplate into the floor. Make sure that the top edge of the drinking fountain is horizontal.

2. Fit the flush grated waste fitting and bubbler valve into the appropriate holes.

3. Fit the black rubber washer over the brass inlet nipple and install it into the recess in the base of the bubbler valve.

4. Fit the bubbler valve into the hole on the top of the fountain, making sure the anti-rotation pin is engaged.

5. Flush the water supply pipe to remove debris, then connect to the water fountain.

Aftercare

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your very own water fountain. With the right care and attention, it will keep you and your users healthy and hydrated for years to come. To find out more about maintaining your drinking fountain, and how to make adjustments such as altering the water flow rate, visit our guide to drinking fountain maintenance.

If you have any questions about drinking fountain installation, please feel free to get in touch via our contact page. One of our friendly team will be happy to assist you.