EN 806 Series - European Drinking Water Installation Standards
The EN 806 series are European standards for drinking water installations within buildings. These harmonized standards ensure safe, hygienic potable water systems across European Union member states.
Overview
The EN 806 series are European Standards (CEN standards) that establish requirements for drinking water installations inside buildings. Published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this series ensures water quality, system hygiene, and user safety throughout the European Union. The series includes: EN 806-1 (General requirements), EN 806-2 (Design), EN 806-3 (Pipe sizing and installation), EN 806-4 (Installation), and EN 806-5 (Operation and maintenance). These standards cover cold water supply, hot water distribution, materials selection, system design to prevent stagnation and contamination, backflow prevention, and Legionella control. EN 806 coordinates with EU Drinking Water Directive requirements and national plumbing regulations in member states. The standards emphasize water quality preservation from the point of entry to the point of use, addressing temperature control, pipe materials compatibility, and system hygiene. They are harmonized across the EU but implemented through national building codes and regulations in each country.
Key Features
- Water quality preservation and hygiene requirements throughout distribution systems
- Design provisions to prevent water stagnation and bacterial growth
- Hot and cold water temperature control for Legionella prevention
- Pipe material requirements ensuring drinking water safety
- Backflow prevention and cross-connection control standards
- System flushing, disinfection, and commissioning procedures
- Maintenance and operation guidance for ongoing water quality
- Coordination with EU Drinking Water Directive requirements
Applicability
The EN 806 series is primarily used by:
- Plumbing designers and engineers across EU member states
- Licensed plumbers and installers for drinking water system installations
- Water hygiene specialists for Legionella risk assessment and control
- Building services consultants for system design and specification
- National standards bodies incorporating EN standards into local regulations
- Public health authorities for water quality compliance
- Facility managers for operation and maintenance of water systems
- Product manufacturers for CE marking and market access across EU
Geographic Application: Harmonized standard applicable across all European Union member states. Individual countries adopt and reference EN 806 within national building codes and plumbing regulations.
Comparison Notes
- Water quality focus - Emphasizes hygiene and Legionella prevention more than US codes
- Harmonized EU standard - Single standard across multiple countries unlike varied US state codes
- Coordinates with Drinking Water Directive - Implements EU-wide water quality policy
- Design for maintenance - More emphasis on ongoing operation than typical construction codes
- Metric and European materials - Reflects European pipe sizes, materials, and practices
Official Source: https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/9c6f0e4a-e11a-44ab-8c9d-52d592d17d2d/en-806-1-2000