SFA SANIFLO UK LTD
UNIT 1 WATFORD INTERCHANGE
COLONIAL WAY
WATFORD
HERTFORDSHIRE WD24 4WP
Tel: 020 8842 0033
Fax: 0208 842 1671
Suppliers of: Toilet Macerators, Lifting Stations, Waste water pumps, Pumping Stations, Black water Pumps, Grey Water pumps, Shower Pumps, Submersible pumps, Underground Pumping Station, Saniflo
Saniflo is a market leader in the plumbing products sector with a range of over 40 products including macerators, pumps, lifting stations, condensing units and submersible pumps for domestic and commercial markets worldwide. The Saniflo Group invented the macerator concept over 60 years ago and prides itself on continual innovation and improvement.
Main Product Ranges:
SANIFLO UP:
The original macerator pump unit that allows installation of an extra WC almost anywhere in your home when a conventional solution isn’t possible.
SANITOP UP:
Similar to the original Saniflo Up but allows the connection of a WC and a wash basin to one macerator pump. A great choice for a small cloakroom.
SANIPRO XR UP:
This neat unit makes it easy to install an extra bathroom or en-suite. The Sanipro XR Up can easily deal with a WC, basin, bidet and a power shower. Ideal for replacement installations as no change in pipework is needed.
SANIPLUS UP:
The Saniplus Up enables you to install an additional bathroom in your home with ease. With four inlets to allow connection for a bathroom and a greater tank capacity, the Saniplus Up can easily deal with a WC, basin, bidet and even the highest output power shower.
SANIWALL Pro UP:
With a built-in frame system designed to accommodate all types of wall-hung WC’s (not supplied). Saniwall Pro Up has a dual flush, an integral macerator pump and has an elegant glass covering. In addition to taking the waste from a WC there are two side inlets enabling a wash basin, shower and bidet to drain to the macerator.
SANIACCESS 1:
Designed to provide easy access where just one WC is needed, convenient covers allow you to service and maintain the macerator without having to remove it. Suitable for new domestic installations.
SANIACCESS 2:
Designed to provide easy access where a WC and basin is needed, convenient covers allow you to service and maintain the macerator without having to remove it. Suitable for new domestic applications.
SANIACCESS 3:
Designed to provide easy access for an en-suite bathroom including WC, basin, bidet and shower. Convenient covers allow you to service and maintain the macerator without having to remove it. Suitable for new domestic installations.
SANIBEST Pro:
Sanibest Pro is a heavy duty macerator suitable for heavy usage public or commercial environments. Handles connection to a WC, basin, bidet and shower.
SANIPACK Pro UP:
Designed to be concealed from view, where back-to-wall-hung sanitaryware is required, the extra slim Sanipack Pro Up can take waste from a WC, basin, bidet and shower. The perfect solution for a complete shower room installation in your home and it offers a modern, sleek finish.
SANISLIM:
When you need slimline sanitaryware you need a macerator pump to match. Sanislim needs just 145mm depth behind the WC and, with an inlet either side, can take waste from a WC, a shower, basin and bidet if required.
SANICONDENS
The removal of boiler condensates cannot always rely on gravity. Saniflo has a wide range of condensate lifting pumps for gas and oil boilers and air conditioning units, as well as a range of neutralisation systems with or without a lifting pump.
SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS
Saniflo has a wide range of submersible pumps for all situations. Ideal for flood mitigation or for residual water clearance from swimming pools, bore holes, Saniflo pumps are available for both domestic and industrial use.
SANICOM LIFTING STATION:
Sanicom is an automatic powerful lifting station for busy commercial environments. Suitable for multiple connections the Sanicom range is a safe reliable pump for commercial applications.
SANICUBIC LIFTING STATION:
For larger projects that need a lifting station but without having to install the product below ground our Sanicubic range could be the perfect solution. With macerator and Vortex versions in different sizes with different motors and alarms whatever the scenario Saniflo could have the perfect solution.
SANIFOS UNDERGROUND PUMPING STATION:
The Sanifos range is our underground pumping stations, fitted externally to the property below ground and for domestic and commercial use. With a macerator or vortex option, one pump or two, single-phase or three-phase motors, this line can meet every need.
SANIGREASE GREASE TRAPS:
The Sanigrease range of grease traps is suitable for all types of projects from residential to commercial applications.
Further technical information is available to download from the BPi PDF library or directly from the manufacturer’s own website.
Unusual floating house uses Saniflo to pump waste
From a disused former marina and storage yard to a stunning beauty spot, an unloved inlet along the River Severn in Worcester was bought in 2015 and transformed by locals Sue Braithwaite and Oliver Carpenter during the covid lockdowns. With no planning permission, no electric, water or drainage, the couple set about planning a unique floating property that would transform the aesthetics of the riverside, whilst embracing innovative technology.
Working with the local planners at Worcester City Council, who were keen to oversee the transformation of the area, the couple submitted plans for a single-storey, three-bedroom eco-structure that would sit on the shallow river bed and rise and fall with the water. With no solid foundations on the ground the property was designed to attach to piles in the bank; floating up and down as the river rises and falls.
Planning permission granted, the project was designed as a futuristic looking property using Computer Aided Design. A steel structure was erected and polystyrene, a light and thermal material for building projects, was cut to size on site and used to create the shell of the building. Specialist concretes were used to render the building exterior, whilst an innovative roof surface made from recycled glass was chosen to reflect the sun and the water.
When it came to planning the discharge of waste from the property, a system of pumps was recommended to discharge waste water from the bathrooms through a series of flexible pipes in the floor void to a Sanifos 110 lifting station attached to the back of the property. The Sanifos activates automatically when full to pump the waste water up vertically 7.5 m to a main drain when the house is at its lowest point on the water. It also has to be sufficiently versatile to pump at varying heights as the floating house moves up and down with river level.
With the property ready for occupancy the couple moved in. Unfortunately, the pumps in the bathrooms were not working as they should; pumping and not pumping at the right times, water gurgling and the alarms sounding. The only pump that was working correctly was the Sanifos. Receiving waste water from the bathroom pumps and gravity fed kitchen water, the unit, which has 110 litres capacity, quietly and efficiently moved the waste on demand.
After pursuing a number of avenues to try and fix the issue, Oliver reached out to the technical team at Saniflo, who teamed up with Saniflo distributor and commercial plumbing company, PumpMaster. A site visit and a thorough analysis later, the problem was identified and a short term fix was made on the day with a return visit booked in for further small adjustments. The solution was a tremendous relief to the couple who had braced themselves for major works and expense;
“As the Saniflo was the only pump that appeared to be working correctly we sent an email to see if they could come and help us sort out the whole system. The response was swift and efficient with a site visit quickly organised. The guys from Saniflo and PumpMaster were exceptionally knowledgeable and jointly worked through every possible scenario from the major to the minor until a practical resolution was found. Ultimately, it was a simple and cost-effective solution. The pump installations were all correct, but were lacking the correct venting. A temporary solution was made on the day and the fitting of new vents a few days later. We were clearly delighted at the outcome. This is such a lovely and individual house and working bathrooms are pretty fundamental.”
All pumps were ultimately correctly specified but a couple of minor installation errors proved to be the cause of the problems. The original plumber had placed air admittance valves on the vents in the internal pumps creating vacuums in the system. This prevented waste from entering the units properly as the displaced air had nowhere to go. As the vents were hidden the problem wasn't obvious, but after testing many hypotheses the duo from Saniflo and PumpMaster were able to identify the problem and the air admittance valves were removed and replaced.
On the Sanifos the vent port had also been blanked off completely. As vents are essential for the correct operation of a pump - displaced air needs to be pushed out when the pump is filling with water - the lack of vent was forcing air back in via the inlet pipe. Inversely, when the pump activates and the water level falls, it needs to draw air so as not to generate a vacuum. The vent port in the tank was opened to fix the immediate issue and an installer from PumpMaster returned later to install a vent pipe and cage. According to Oliver;
“This is an unusual house which needs innovative ideas and thoughts to resolve its specific design requirements. Saniflo and PumpMaster stepped up to help us when we asked them, even though the problems weren't with their equipment and the solution has transformed the system and eliminated the issues.”
Compass Disabled Services extended with a Sanicubic
Located on an industrial estate in the heart of Taunton, Compass Disabled Services is a charity that provides a range of services for those in society with greater care needs. A disabled-user led organisation, the majority of the trustees are disabled people or carers who inherently understand the specific requirements of users and work to deliver services to ensure the optimum level of support and opportunity.
Recently, the team has introduced 'Cogs'; a dementia social club that provides respite for carers and fun activities for users. To provide a safe and unique space, the team at Compass has re-modelled one of their existing buildings and it now boasts a pub/café, games room and a large common room. In order to discharge the waste from two brand new WCs in the reception area, a Sanicubic lifting station was specified and installed by the charity's local plumbing company, L&H Plumbing.
The building was formerly offices used by the charity's independent living support workers, but as employees worked from home during the Covid pandemic, a new way of hybrid working evolved that meant the office was no longer required. An area was separated off and rented to a commercial enterprise and this included two toilets that were up a set of stairs that would have been inappropriate for Cogs users. However, the pipework for the Sanicubic lifting station, which is installed in a box in a room behind the reception, was able to reach the soil stack of the original toilets which feeds into the mains drains.
Richard Pitman, CEO, is a former Royal Navy Engineer and accomplished rugby player who became wheelchair bound after a road traffic accident. He bucked the trend in independent living by developing his own care plan with the local council, who subsequently recommended him for a support worker role in a charity. Compass was his brainchild and since stepping into a full-time role as CEO in 2006 the charity has expanded from one building to seven; each offering a set of unique services for users of varying ages. In his spare time, Richard has also overseen building projects and developments and spotted the opportunity to use a Saniflo to reach the main drainage point;
"When we initially installed the WCs we were led to believe from official sources that the manhole just outside the reception area was a mains drain, but it transpired to be a storm drain and not suitable for black waste discharge. Thankfully, my local Plumbase depot called a Saniflo representative who quickly came on site and supported my view that we could use a lifting station to pump the waste away. We agreed the model and a discharge route for the waste - into the roof apex, out of the building and across a flat roof to join the soil stack of our former toilets. After a prohibitive quote from one installer, our usual plumber managed to slot us in and installed the unit in less than two days from start to finish."
The Sanicubic is located in a games room that backs on to the two WCs located in reception. Installed in a purpose-built box with a sliding roof for ease of access (which will also double up for table skittles) the Saniflo solution literally “saved the day” and enabled the completion of the Cogs unit, which is now operational.
"The support from Saniflo was brilliant and the unit was, according to L&H Plumbing, amazingly easy to install."
Compass Disability Services is the umbrella organisation for Compass Independent Living, Compass Wellbeing, Compass Everyday, Compass Open College and Cogs.
