Pressure gauge – what is WRAS approval?

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approval is an easy way to demonstrate that a material or water fitting is of suitable quality and standard.

“Any water fitting, which when installed, will carry or receive water from the public mains water supply in the UK, must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations or Scottish Byelaws. These require that a water fitting should
not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’.”

There are 2 kinds of approval:

“WRAS product approval: Whole products such as valves, boilers & showers undergo mechanical and water quality testing. This type of approval demonstrates products are of an appropriate quality and standard, provided the fitting is
installed according to any conditions given with the approval.”

If required a pressure gauge can gain WRAS product approval.

“WRAS material approval: Non-metallic materials & components, such as rubber sheet material & ‘O’ rings, undergo testing only for their effects on water quality. This type of approval demonstrates that the non-metallic material/component
complies with BS6920”.

Pressure gauge wetted parts are nearly always made from metallic materials and are therefore ineligible for WRAS Material Approval.

When should a pressure gauge be WRAS Approved?

An increasing number of consultants on projects are requiring fittings to be WRAS approved. This is required when a gauge makes contact with potable (drinking) water.

However, WRAS Approval is not always mandatory. It is the Water Company in the area of installation that will decide what is required as evidence that the gauge does not contaminate the water.

Stainless steel and brass pressure gauge internals are accepted by most water companies as materials that do not contaminate water and no further evidence is usually required. It is always best to check with the local water company of their
exact requirements.

NSF Certification

Although cross certification is not accepted, WRAS approval is the UKs alternative to NSF/ANSI CAN 61 certification.