Prevent leaks during construction. Discover how Quensus AAFMS solutions reduce Escape of Water risks, meet JCOP compliance, and cut costs.
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Water incidents during construction are rarely minor. A single uncontrolled leak can damage finishes, delay commissioning, disrupt multiple trades, and trigger insurance scrutiny before practical completion. Unlike operational buildings, construction environments have temporary services, evolving layouts, incomplete supervision, and frequent system changes, all of which increase exposure.
Escape of Water incidents now represent one of the most significant insurance risks on live construction projects. Claims regularly extend beyond repair costs to include programme delays, contractual disputes, professional liability implications, and reputational impact with developers and insurers.
Proactive leak prevention allows project teams to protect assets, maintain programme certainty, and demonstrate responsible risk management throughout the build lifecycle.
Construction sites face elevated water risk because systems are installed in phases, services are frequently modified, and buildings often become partially operational before full completion. Temporary pipework, pressure testing, commissioning activity, and out-of-hours exposure all increase the likelihood of leaks. Even minor incidents can escalate quickly, resulting in damaged finishes, rework costs, programme delays, and increased insurance scrutiny.
Traditional leak detection systems are often reactive, identifying issues only after damage has occurred. Modern construction risk management requires continuous monitoring and automatic isolation, ensuring leaks are contained before they become incidents.
Proactive water management protects programme certainty, safeguards finished works, and provides documented assurance to insurers and regulators.
Jump to: Why choose Quensus for Your Construction Site?
LeakNet is Quensus’s advanced AAFMS solution, designed to protect both temporary and permanent water systems throughout the construction lifecycle.
The system continuously monitors water flow and automatically shuts off the supply when abnormal patterns are detected. All flow and shutoff activity is recorded, providing a clear audit trail that can be accessed by project teams, insurers, and loss adjusters.
Quensus systems are fully aligned with the Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) for the Prevention and Management of Escape of Water on Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation, endorsed by the FPA, CIREG, LEG, and CIPHE.
JCOP guidance is explicit: AAFMS devices should be designed in during construction, included within contractor tender processes, and installed on permanent water supplies as agreed with developers, owners, and insurers. LeakNet enables this compliance to be met from first fix through to occupation.
According to the JCOP:
Insurers are placing increasing emphasis on proactive water management during construction. Projects that demonstrate continuous monitoring, automatic isolation, and documented risk controls are often viewed more favourably during underwriting and claims assessment.
Proactive leak prevention can help:
For many projects, the value of prevention extends beyond repair savings to long-term insurance stability and reduced commercial risk exposure.
Escape of Water incidents are now the leading cause of construction insurance claims, surpassing fire and theft combined. Claims frequency and severity continue to rise, prompting insurers to tighten requirements and favour projects with active prevention measures in place.
Water damage affects the majority of construction projects, with average claims typically reaching £150,000–£250,000. Projects that implement proactive leak prevention systems significantly reduce this exposure, delivering measurable cost savings and improved insurance outcomes - often before practical completion.
LeakNet protects construction sites by providing continuous flow monitoring, automatic shutoff, and remote visibility throughout every stage of a project. From first fix installation and commissioning through to early occupation and handover, the system ensures water incidents are identified and contained before damage escalates.
Crucially, LeakNet is designed to support both temporary site protection and permanent building operation, allowing systems installed during construction to remain in place at handover rather than being removed or replaced.
To address the practical challenges of construction sites, Quensus developed SiteNet, a site-ready adaptation of LeakNet.
SiteNet is engineered for rapid deployment and harsh conditions, with site-standard power, battery backup, weatherproof enclosures, and resilient connectivity. This makes it suitable for shell and core, fit-out, and commissioning phases, while maintaining full compatibility with permanent installations.
A key advantage of proactive leak prevention is continuity. Systems installed during construction do not need to be removed at handover. LeakNet allows protection to transition seamlessly from temporary site infrastructure into long-term building operation.
This approach:
This turns a single construction project into a sustained risk management strategy.
Stop leaks before they escape, meet JCOP compliance, and avoid costly Escape of Water claims.
Explore our use cases and discover how Quensus can help you achieve your construction project goals.
Our product range consistently outperforms other leak-detection technologies.
Compare LeakNet with a feature-by-feature breakdown highlighting our superior product performance
Choosing the right system can be complex, but our expert team is here to help.
Up to 7 credits for reducing water usage per person per day compared against a baseline performance. For example, use water-saving WCs, tap aerators, low-flow showers, waterless urinals, and greywater/rainwater for recycling non-potable water.
Our expertise in smart water metering and data analytics allows us to monitor and analyse water consumption patterns, providing valuable insights to identify water-saving opportunities and track progress towards reduction targets.
Installing our device on the main meter earns you 4 points.
Sub-metering building areas consuming 10% or more of the building's total water demand, or metering multi-tenant buildings per tenanted area, achieves an additional 2 credits.
Up to 4 credits (each) are available based on the water efficiency of the following assets to reduce overall water consumption in the building:
WAT02 - Water-efficient equipment: toilets
WAT03 - Water-efficient equipment: urinals
WAT04 - Water-efficient equipment: hand washing basins
WAT05 - Water-efficient equipment: showers
WAT06 - Water-efficient equipment: white goods
Our experience in specifying and installing water-efficient fixtures can help building owners select and implement the most appropriate solutions to achieve significant water savings.
Up to 4 credits for installing a robust leak detection system, which plays a vital role in conserving water resources. By promptly identifying and addressing leaks, buildings can significantly reduce water wastage, contributing to a more sustainable water footprint. 1 credit has traditionally been given for a leak detection system that can detect a major water leak on the mains water supply within the building and/or between the building and the utilities water meter.
Our advanced leak detection technology, including smart metering and real-time monitoring, can quickly identify and locate leaks, enabling prompt repairs and minimising water wastage, potentially enabling you to achieve the full 4 credits after a complete calendar year.
Up to 4 credits for proactive measures to prevent leaks. Proper installation and maintenance of flow control devices, whether in sanitary fittings or larger residential complexes, are essential for minimising water loss and ensuring the longevity of plumbing systems.
Our LeakNet system goes beyond traditional leak prevention methods. With AI-powered monitoring, real-time alerts, and automatic shut-off capabilities, LeakNet actively identifies and stops leaks before they cause significant damage or water wastage. This proactive approach aligns perfectly with the BREEAM focus on minimising water loss and ensuring the longevity of plumbing systems.
Up to 4 credits can be awarded depending on the extent and effectiveness of the isolation valve strategy within the building's water supply system, which allows controlled shut-off of specific sections of the water supply, enabling targeted maintenance or repairs without disrupting the entire system. 1 credit has traditionally been given for installing a flow control device to each WC area/facility so that water is only supplied when needed.
Our smart shut-off valves seamlessly integrate into any plumbing system, providing the isolation capabilities necessary for targeted maintenance and repairs.
This not only meets the traditional BREEAM requirement for isolation valves but also enhances it with intelligent control and automation.
By enabling quick and precise shut-off of specific sections, LeakNet minimises disruption and water wastage during maintenance activities, maximising the potential for achieving up to 4 credits.
The automatic shut-off functionality also serves as an innovative flow control device, securing an additional credit for controlling water supply to WC areas.
Up to 4 credits for using alternative water sources and efficient water-using technologies. Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and the use of water-efficient fixtures are examples of strategies that can substantially decrease reliance on mains water supply.
While we don't directly address alternative water sources, LeakNet's ability to dramatically reduce water wastage through automatic shutoff and leak prevention contributes to lowering mains water consumption.
By minimising unnecessary water loss, LeakNet supports the overarching goal of WAT10, contributing to achieving the maximum credits available.
Up to 4 credits for accurate monitoring and reporting of water consumption data, which is fundamental to effective water management. By tracking consumption patterns, building owners and operators can identify areas for improvement and implement targeted water-saving measures. This will include internal sub-meters to monitor the impacts of inefficiencies and leakage and encourage more effective water management.
Our smart metering and data analytics capabilities can provide detailed insights into water consumption patterns, facilitating the identification of inefficiencies and enabling targeted water-saving interventions.
Up to 4 credits for re-using water for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, reduces the demand on treated water supplies. This credit promotes innovative solutions for sustainable water sourcing.
Our experience in monitoring water recycling systems, such as greywater and rainwater harvesting solutions, can help track inefficiencies in these systems and maximise the reuse of water to reduce environmental impact.
Up to 4 credits for standardised reporting of water consumption, benchmarking, and comparison across different buildings and portfolios. This transparency encourages continuous improvement in water efficiency and supports informed decision-making.
Obtain 2 credits by using our data management and reporting tools to automate the collection, analysis, and reporting of water consumption data, providing clear and actionable insights to support decision-making.
Earn 1 extra credit when you report on it internally, and another credit if you publish this information in an annual report.
A comprehensive water strategy goes beyond individual measures by establishing a holistic approach to water management. It includes regular maintenance of water systems, water efficiency, water reuse, and leak detection. The strategy should also include a plan for monitoring and reporting water consumption ensuring optimal performance and longevity, as well as promoting awareness and behavioral changes among building occupants to foster a water-conscious culture.
Up to 8 credits are available depending on the comprehensiveness of the water strategy and the inclusion of specific elements such as:
A proactive maintenance policy for installed water systems
Targets for reducing water consumption
A plan for monitoring and reporting water consumption
A plan for engaging building occupants in water conservation efforts
Our holistic approach to water management and expertise in water efficiency, reuse, and leak detection can help building owners develop and implement comprehensive water strategies that achieve long-term sustainability and cost savings.
Every building’s risk profile and budget differ. Unlike one-size-fits-all systems, Quensus engineers a bespoke leak-detection solution around your insurer’s requirements and cost constraints - saving you thousands in wasted water and premiums. There is an unlimited number of options, but we have simplified leak prevention into our four main tiers:
A combination of bronze, silver and gold will provide the most effective leak prevention system available.
Automatic Flow Monitoring with Smart Shutoff Valves on the boosted supply to each unit/apartment. The most effective solution post-handover over the lifetime of the building.
Automatic Flow Monitoring with Smart Shutoff Valves on the boosted supply to each floor (or each riser if plumbing is vertically fed). Ideal during construction because each floor can be isolated individually.
The absolute minimum you should be looking for is Automatic Flow Monitoring on the Mains Cold Water System and Boosted Cold Water System for the whole building. This is covered in the BREEAM WAT03 standard.
Got questions? Ask us!
We’re your H2O Heroes! Choosing the right water management solution can be tricky, but our friendly team is here to help.
We’ve compiled the top FAQs for quick answers - Read FAQ.
What is construction site leak prevention?
Construction site leak prevention refers to proactive systems and processes designed to detect abnormal water flow and automatically isolate the supply before damage occurs. Unlike reactive leak detection, prevention focuses on stopping incidents during build, commissioning, and early occupation phases.
Why is leak prevention important on construction sites?
Water damage during construction can cause programme delays, damaged finishes, insurance claims, and contractual disputes. Proactive leak prevention helps protect assets, maintain programme certainty, and reduce exposure to costly Escape of Water incidents. You can see the costs that Leak Damage can cause here.
When should leak prevention systems be installed during construction?
Ideally during early construction phases such as first fix or initial commissioning. Early installation ensures protection during pressure testing, fit-out, partial occupation, and handover, reducing risk throughout the project lifecycle.
How does construction site leak prevention differ from standard leak detection?
Traditional leak detection often identifies leaks after damage has started. Construction site leak prevention uses continuous monitoring and automatic shutoff technology to contain leaks before they escalate into major incidents.
Do insurers require leak prevention on construction projects?
Many insurers increasingly favour projects with proactive water risk management. Systems aligned with industry guidance such as JCOP can support underwriting confidence and may help reduce claim exposure.
What is JCOP and how does it relate to leak prevention?
The Joint Code of Practice for the Prevention and Management of Escape of Water recommends active monitoring and automatic shutoff devices on construction projects. These measures help minimise water damage risk during build and refurbishment works.
Can leak prevention systems be temporary for construction sites?
Yes. Many systems are designed for temporary installation during construction and can either remain permanently or transition into operational building management after handover.
What types of construction projects benefit most from leak prevention?
Residential developments, commercial fit-outs, hotels, healthcare buildings, student accommodation, and mixed-use schemes all benefit due to complex water systems and high value finishes.
Does leak prevention help with BREEAM or sustainability goals?
Yes. Preventing leaks reduces water waste, improves monitoring capability, and supports responsible water management practices which contribute to sustainability targets including BREEAM water credits.
What causes most water leaks on construction sites?
Common causes include temporary pipework failure, commissioning errors, accidental damage by trades, pressure testing issues, and unsupervised water systems outside working hours.
Can leak prevention systems reduce insurance claims?
Proactive systems can significantly reduce claim frequency and severity by isolating the water supply quickly. This helps protect project budgets, insurance relationships, and reputational standing.
Is construction site leak prevention only needed before handover?
No. Risk continues during early building occupation and operational phases. Many developers choose systems that transition from construction protection into permanent building management.
How are leaks monitored remotely on construction sites?
Modern systems use connected monitoring platforms that provide real-time alerts, usage visibility, and remote shutoff capability. This allows rapid response even outside normal working hours.
Does installation disrupt construction programmes?
Typically not. Most systems are designed for rapid installation during planned plumbing stages, with minimal impact on programme or site operations.
How do developers justify the cost of leak prevention?
Costs are usually small compared to potential water damage claims, programme delays, and rework expenses. Many projects see a measurable return on investment before completion through avoided incidents.
Quensus Ltd
Company Number: 09530781
VAT Number: GB251797479
Head Office
Strelley Hall, Nottingham,
England, NG8 6PE
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