Fluid flow measuring and control devices and method

A method of pattern recognition for fluid use in a plumbing installation to which fluid consuming appliances are fluidly connected, the method comprising:

• installing a fluid flow measuring and control device at a single location in the plumbing installation which is fluidly common to all the fluid consuming appliances;
• capturing and storing data relative to a flow rate of each one of the fluid consuming appliances in the plumbing installation through the fluid flow measuring and control device;
• analysing and recording the data to determine a fluid usage signature for each of the fluid consuming appliances, thereby resulting in pre-recorded fluid usage signatures for each of the fluid consuming appliances;
• determining whether a current measurement of the fluid flow measuring and control device matches any one of the pre-recorded fluid usage signatures;
• and
• upon determining that there is no match between the current measurement of the fluid flow measuring and control device and any one of the pre-recorded fluid usage signatures, stopping the fluid flow in the main flow channelling system using the valve, hence blocking fluid flow in the fluid flow measuring and control device and in the plumbing.