Big Brand Water Filter FS10S-1 User manual

Big Brand Water Filter Inc.
FS Series Water Filter System Installation Manual
www.bigbrandwater.com Toll Free [phone] email:[e-mail]
Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. recommends that all systems are installed by a licensed plumber or water
treatment professional. If you are attempting to install this system on your own without a licensed
professional it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with state and local plumbing codes and only
install your system in a manner that meets all applicable code requirements.
This Water System has been designed for quick and simple installation and maintenance . By carefully
reading this instruction manual and following the operational guidelines you will insure a successful
installation and reliable operation. Routine maintenance is essential to the longevity and performance of
the system. Filters should be changed every three to twelve months depending on the quality of the feed
water supply.
This manual covers the following systems:
FS10S-1 FS10S-2 FS10S-3 FS20S-1 FS20S-2 FS20S-3
FS10B-1 FS10B-2 FS10B-3 FS20B-1 FS20B-2 FS20B-3
Including Mega-Flow, Iron-Max and Sedi-Max models.
System Installation
It is recommended that you securely attach the system to the wall or undersink mounting space. Use a
stud finder and mount the system to studs or wood beams, not to drywall. A FS20B-3 system weighs 52
lbs. dry and can weigh as much as 70 lbs when full of water. If you mount the system to drywall tit may rip
from the wall possibly causing damage.
It is not recommended to hang the system from the pipes. During filter changes, removing and replacing
the housings will put a side load on the pipe threads and can result in leakage.
All Big Brand Water Filter FS systems have a maximum pressure rating of 90 psi and a maximum
temperature rating of 100 Degrees Fahrenheit. You must have a pressure regulator installed prior to your
filter system to prevent pressure surges. It is not uncommon for city water pressure to spike as high as
200 psi. Pressure spikes can cause the housing to burst and flood your residence/facility.

Big Brand Water Filter Inc.
FS Series Water Filter System Installation Manual
www.bigbrandwater.com Toll Free [phone] email:[e-mail]
O-Rings - Each filter housing has an o-ring that goes in the groove in the sump
before attaching the sump to the cap. The o-ring must be lubricated with FDA/
NSF approved o-ring lubricant. This lubricant is available from Big Brand Water
Filter, Inc. It is recommended that you keep a few spare o-rings on hand. After a
few years the o-rings flatten resulting in drip leaks. Over-tightening the housings
may cause a housing to crack resulting in flooding. If you feel you need to
overtighten the housing to stop drip leaks it is probably time to replace the o-
rings. If you have a steady stream of water coming from the sump to cap mating
area the o-ring may have slipped from the groove and is pinched
Filter Housings - Each system has a filter wrench specifically
designed to fit the housing. Use of a pipe wrench, channel locks or other metal tools may
compromise the integrity of your filter housings. It is recommended that you only use a Big
Brand Water Filter, Inc. supplied filter wrench to remove and replace your filter housings.
Direction of Flow - The FS system can flow from left
to right or from right to left. If the flow direction is not
correct for your installation as supplied from the factory
simply remove the bracket, rotate it 180 degrees and
reinstall it in the correct direction. Note the arrow on
the filter housing cap (photo to the right) showing
direction of flow.
Replacement Filters - All Big Brand Water Filter, Inc.
FS filter systems use industry standard filter cartridges.
All Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. filters have passed stringent water quality
standards. Use of inferior imitation filters may compromise the quality of your water. Lower cost filters may not
use FDA approved plastics, glues or media. It is recommended that you only purchase genuine replacement
filters from Big Brand Water Filter, Inc.
A complete install (left) - This system in sequence
includes a FS20B-1 prefilter (5 micron pleated
sediment cartridge), 1 cubic foot backwashing
carbon system, 1 cubic foot water softener,
FS20B-2 double big blue polishing filter with a
radial flow carbon and 1 micron absolute sediment
filters and finally a UV disinfection system to
control microbial growth now that the chlorine is
removed from the water. Note the use of a three
ball valve bypass should there be a leak or other
system problem. One ball valve before the
system, one ball valve after the system, then a
pipe that goes above the system for bypass with
a ball valve to open/close the bypass leg.

Big Brand Water Filter Inc.
FS Series Water Filter System Installation Manual
www.bigbrandwater.com Toll Free [phone] email:[e-mail]
Activating the System For the First Time
When inserting filters into the housings it is recommended that you try not to touch the filters with your hands.
If possible, remove the plastic wrapper and insert the filter holding it by the wrapper.
1) Fill each filter housing approximately 1/3 full of water and add chlorine bleach to each filter housing to
sanitize the system. For FS10S undersink systems 1/2 teaspoon of bleach per housing is adequate. For
FS20S systems 1 teaspoon of bleach per housing is recommended. For FS10B and FS20B systems you may
use 1 teaspoon up to 1 ounce of bleach per housing or more depending on the application. If you are trying to
sanitize the water system and all of the household piping downstream of the system it may take several ounces
of chlorine bleach to achieve high enough levels of chlorine in the piping.
2) Bleach must be flushed from the entire water system before drinking or bathing in the water!
3) Make sure all water supply/drain lines are secure and free from leakage.
4) Slowly turn on the water supply and check for leaks.
FS10S Systems
If you are installing a drinking water system, open the faucet until you smell chlorine then close the faucet for
30 minutes. After thirty minutes flush the system by running it for 10 minutes before consuming any water. If
you still smell chlorine continue to flush the system until the chlorine odor is gone. Big Brand Water Filter, Inc.
recommends testing the water with our 5 in 1 test strips or other chlorine test kits to make sure all of the
chlorine is flushed from the system before consumption.
System Plumbing
If you are connecting your system to copper piping be sure to use a union connector and do not overtighten
copper or brass nipples into the plastic housing cap. Overtightening will cause the cap to crack. Nylon pipe
nipples are available from Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. Be sure to use plenty of teflon tape on both plastic and
metal pipe nipples to avoid leakage. See photo on left page.
To reverse system flow, filter housing can be removed
by taking out the screws from the top of the bracket.
The filter housings can be rotated 180 degrees and
reinstalled.
FS20B-2 filter sys-
tem completed in-
stallation using
stainless steel flex
lines available from
Big Brand Water
Filter, Inc. Flex
lines are available
in 3/4”, 1” and 1 1/
2” sizes and in 18”
and 24” lengths.

Big Brand Water Filter Inc.
FS Series Water Filter System Installation Manual
www.bigbrandwater.com Toll Free [phone] email:[e-mail]
Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. warrants its FS series system to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
under normal use for a period of five years from the date of purchase. Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. will repair
or replace any part of the FS Series System with the exception of the filters and O-rings.
Conditions of Warranty
The above warranty shall not apply to any part of the Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. FS Series System that is
damaged because of neglect, misuse, alteration, accident, misapplication, physical damage, fouling, minerals,
bacterial attack, sediment or damage caused by fire, freezing, hot water, or an Act of God.
Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. assumes no warranty liability in connection with this FS Series System other than
as specified herein. Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. shall not be liable for consequential damages of any kind or
nature due to the use of Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. equipment.
Warranty service will be provided by Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. under the following conditions:
1) Contact Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. to obtain return authorization instructions and shipping information.
2) Ship the unit or part freight prepaid to Big Brand Water Filter, Inc. for warranty evaluation or service. Unit
must be returned in the original carton or packaged to prevent possible damage. Systems or parts covered
under the warranty shall be repaired (or, at our option replaced) and returned without charge.
Big Brand Water Filter, Inc FS Series System Warranty
Neglecting annual filter changes voids this warranty. Failure to perform regular maintenance will
cause the system to underperform and may not meet water quality standards.
FS20S, FS10B and FS20B Systems
Open the faucet in the house farthest away from the drinking water system
until you smell chlorine, then close the faucet. Progressively move from
the farthest to the closest fixture each time opening the faucet, kitchen and
bath fixture until you smell chlorine then close the fixture. Leave the chlorine
in the piping system for 30 minutes then flush each fixture. This will properly
sanitize the household piping system. If you are on well water it is
recommended that you also sanitize your well, storage tank and other piping
and filtration equipment at least once per year. Regular chlorination is
recommended on water supplies that have tested positive for
microorganisms.
The system pictured (right) is a custom shower with hand-held shower
head, rainshower and body sprays all run by the system pictured on the
previous page. A five head system such as this requires 12.5 gpm flow
rate. This is peak flow for the system used. Moving to larger diameter
carbon and softener tanks will reduce pressure loss to some degree. While
a 20” Big Blue is rated up to 30 gpm there will be a significant pressure loss
at these higher flow rates. During annual chlorine sanitizing it is important
to get the chlorine through all of the shower heads, body sprays and other
plumbing fixtures.