When, why, and how to use MultiSafe Leak Detection Technology

Whether it’s a new build, retrofit or a commercial project, it’s becoming increasingly important to detect leaks as soon as they happen. When left unnoticed, the financial costs of leaks can quickly add up. On construction sites, they can also cause lengthy and costly delays. In occupied buildings, they have the potential to damage property and hurt client trust.

Plus, there is the environmental impact to consider; a burst pipe can waste up to a staggering 3,000 litres of water per hour.

As an installer, you’re likely seeing more project specifications requiring leak detection technology. So, in this guide, we cover all you need to know about the Reliance Valves MultiSafe Leak Detector, including what it is, when to use it, why it matters, and how to install it properly.

Modern leak detection technology refers to systems designed to monitor water flow patterns, identify abnormalities, and respond automatically before serious damage occurs.

These systems continuously track water movement through pipes, learning what's normal for each property and sending an alert when something isn’t right and automatically shutting off the water.

It’s a common misconception that leaks only happen in older properties, when they are, in fact, an issue in all types of buildings, from domestic to commercial and new to old. In fact, 43% of UK homes experience a water leak, with 75% of these occurring in flats and apartments.

RWC’s MultiSafe Leak Detector is suitable for many property types including:

• Domestic homes: where protection from water damage is a priority for homeowners. Leak protection systems can also offer peace of mind when homeowners are travelling. In this case, the MultiSafe Leak Detector can save owners from potential “surprises” upon return to their properties by allowing them to act quickly when needed – even from afar.
• Flat & Apartment Buildings: where one leak can affect multiple units.
• Holiday Properties & second homes: that are empty for extended periods of time.
• Commercial buildings: where business continuity is critical
• High-rise developments: where centralised leak management is required.

When working on a new build property, leaks are most likely to occur within the first 18 months of being completed and occupied. So, utilising leak detection technology can be key to avoiding unnecessary damage.

The award-winning MultiSafe Leak Detection System from Reliance Valves is WRAS approved and can identify water loss in real-time. When it does, the property owner is sent a text or an email notifying them of the leak, and the isolation valve is automatically closed so that no water is supplied to the affected area, and the risk of potential damage is halted.

For particularly high-risk areas, such as utility or IT rooms in commercial buildings, the MultiSafe Leak Detection system can be used alongside the MultiSafe Floor Leak Sensor. This sensor monitors floors for wet areas and sends alerts when water is detected.

When you consider that something as simple as a dripping tap can result in 1 litre of water lost per hour, it’s important that any leaks are detected quickly.

In 99% of buildings, finding leaks remains a manual and time-consuming process. Many leaks occur in plumbed-in elements or in pipework that is hidden and can be nearly impossible to detect early without leak detection equipment.

While any system offers basic benefits, the MultiSafe leak detection technology provides distinct advantages that set it apart:

• WRAS approval: MultiSafe meets the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme standards for quality and reliability
• Integrated isolation valve: Many leak detectors only alert; MultiSafe actively prevents damage by automatically shutting off water supply
• Real-time monitoring algorithm: The system learns your property's unique water usage patterns for smarter leak detection with fewer false alarms
• Multi-device networking: Perfect for apartment blocks or commercial buildings, allowing centralised control of multiple units
• Comprehensive floor sensor integration: The optional floor sensor add-on provides dual-protection for high-risk areas
• Free companion app: Easy monitoring and control from anywhere, keeping you connected even when away from the property

You should install leak protection from the commissioning phase and as a safety device between the first and second fix. This is because leaks often occur when the mains have been commissioned and the buildings have been stage-filled with water.

To make installers lives easier, the MultiSafe Leak Detector has been designed with MBSP union connections. Here’s the three steps to take when installing it:

1. The Reliance Valves MultiSafe Leak Detector should be installed on the main cold-water line before it branches to any appliances, and after any other control valves.
2. To install it you need to cut the pipework and mount the MultiSafe Control Valve using union connections and then insert the battery pack and plug the mains adaptor into a 230v electrical supply (within 2 meters).
3. Then connect it to the Wi-Fi and download the free Reliance Valves app.

During installation, make sure you pre-test and test all the components to ensure they meet the required regulations. After installation, but before the building is signed off and the systems are commissioned, you’ll need to complete pressure testing.

Once it’s been set up, the Reliance Valves MultiSafe Leak Detector Control Valve sets the expected water use for the property. It then uses this to monitor the water usage against what is expected so it can identify any potential failures before they lead to costly leaks.

In high-rise flats, and other similar properties, multiple devices can be connected on the same Wi-Fi, which means the system can be centrally controlled.

When the system notices any unusual activity that might be caused by a leak, it will send an alert to the property owner and then automatically shut off the water supply.