Water System Durability and Corrosion Prevention
What it looks like
Use of incompatible metals or lack of sacrificial protection in aggressive water conditions, leading to premature system failure.
Why it happens
Hot and cold water service pipework and fittings must be made from corrosion-resistant materials to ensure longevity and prevent system failure. In areas prone to specific types of corrosion, such as pitting in copper cylinders, additional protective measures like factory-fitted aluminium protector rods or sacrificial anodes may be specified by the manufacturer or required by the water supplier to mitigate risk.
What it costs if it is missed
Hot and cold water service pipework and fittings must be made from corrosion-resistant materials to ensure longevity and prevent system failure. In areas prone to specific types of corrosion, such as pitting in copper cylinders, additional protective measures like factory-fitted aluminium protector rods or sacrificial anodes may be specified by the manufacturer or required by the water supplier to mitigate risk.
How to inspect for it
Confirm that specified corrosion-resistant materials are used for all pipework and fittings, and that any required sacrificial anodes or protector rods are present and correctly installed.
How to prevent it
Hot and cold water service pipework and fittings must be made from corrosion-resistant materials to ensure longevity and prevent system failure. In areas prone to specific types of corrosion, such as pitting in copper cylinders, additional protective measures like factory-fitted aluminium protector rods or sacrificial anodes may be specified by the manufacturer or required by the water supplier to mitigate risk.
Basis in regulation
BS EN 12502
Read the source
Last updated 23 August 2026. This is our editorial summary of publicly available regulation and site practice, not building control approval or a warranty determination.