Low Water Pressure in Commercial Kitchens & Offices: What to Check Before Installing a Boiling Water Tap
If you're planning to install a commercial boiling, chilled or sparkling water tap in an office, workplace or commercial kitchen, there’s one important detail that can easily be overlooked: your incoming water pressure.
You can choose the right tap for your team, confirm the capacity and plan the installation perfectly, but if the incoming cold-water supply doesn't meet the manufacturer's requirements, the system may not be suitable for installation.
How much water pressure does a commercial tap need?
Requirements vary between manufacturers and models, so you should always check the technical specification for the exact system you're considering.
However, as a useful starting point, many commercial systems will require approximately:
-
Boiling & chilled: a minimum 1.7 bar water pressure
-
Sparkling systems: typically 2 bar or above, with some models requiring higher pressure
These figures should therefore be treated as a guide rather than a universal specification.
At The Tap Specialist, we recommend confirming the water pressure at the proposed installation location before ordering, particularly if you're unsure about the building's water supply.
What if my office has low water pressure?
Low water pressure doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a commercial boiling or chilled water system.
If your pressure is below the minimum required for your chosen model, we recommend asking your plumber, facilities manager or FM team to investigate whether the cold-water supply can be brought within the manufacturer's required operating range.
They may check for issues such as restricted pipework, partially closed valves, existing pressure-reducing equipment or other restrictions within the building's water system.
Where the incoming supply itself is insufficient, a suitably qualified professional can also advise whether a water pressure boosting solution is appropriate for the premises.
Static pressure isn't the whole story
It's also worth considering how the water supply performs when other outlets in the building are being used.
An office may appear to have adequate pressure when very little water is being drawn, but performance can change significantly during busy periods.
For this reason, your plumber or facilities team may want to assess both the available water pressure and flow rate at the proposed installation point.
Check before you order
Commercial boiling and chilled water systems are available in many different capacities and configurations, from systems designed for smaller offices to high-capacity solutions for busy workplaces.
Checking the basics beforehand can help avoid installation delays and ensure the system you choose is suitable for your building.
Our recommendation
As a general guide, bear in mind that many commercial taps require:
Boiling & Chilled — minimum approximately 1.7 bar water pressure
Sparkling — minimum approximately 2 bar or higher
If your water pressure is below this, we'd recommend having your plumber or FM team investigate whether the cold-water supply can be brought within the required operating range before progressing with installation.
Always check the individual manufacturer's specification, as minimum pressure requirements vary considerably between brands and models.
Need help choosing a commercial boiling, chilled or sparkling water tap? The Tap Specialist can help you compare suitable systems based on your team size, required functions and installation requirements.
CalluS 0208 016 8898, WhatsUs or Email for Support