Brass Bulkhead Fitting — Tank Outlet Connector for Water Butts & Barrels | 1/2", 3/4", 1"

Measure the wall thickness of your tank or barrel, then add clearance for the nut and washer on the inside. Generally, the fitting length should be at least 10–15mm longer than the wall thickness. For example, a 5mm tank wall typically works well with a 24mm (≈15/16") or 35mm (≈1-3/8") fitting. If your tank wall is thicker — such as an IBC or heavy-duty barrel — choose a longer variant like 50mm (≈1-31/32") or 70mm (≈2-3/4"). See variant options for all available lengths.

These brass bulkhead fittings are generally suited for low-to-medium pressure applications such as gravity-fed water storage systems, rainwater harvesting setups, and garden water butts. They are not typically intended for high-pressure mains water supply lines. Contact us to confirm the pressure rating for your specific use case before installation.

Brass is naturally corrosion-resistant and performs well outdoors in water contact applications. It generally holds up better than zinc alloy or plastic in prolonged outdoor use. For best results, wrap all threaded connections with PTFE thread seal tape to prevent slow seepage, and use rubber or EPDM washers on both sides of the tank wall for a watertight seal.

These fittings use BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads, which are widely used in garden and water storage applications internationally. BSP threads are compatible with most standard water butt taps, garden hose connectors, and barrel accessories sold in the US and UK. Note that BSP is different from NPT (National Pipe Thread) used in some US plumbing — if connecting to NPT fittings, a BSP-to-NPT adapter may be needed. Available in 1/2", 3/4", and 1" BSP sizes.

The Male Thread variant has external (male) threads on one end only — ideal for screwing directly into a female-threaded tap, valve, or hose connector on the outside of your tank. The Male & Female Thread variant has external threads on one end and internal (female) threads on the other, allowing you to attach fittings or connectors on both the inside and outside of the tank wall — useful for through-wall plumbing where you need connections on both sides.

In most cases, yes. These brass bulkhead fittings are designed to pass through a drilled hole in the tank wall and seal with a nut and washer. They are compatible with most HDPE, polypropylene, and similar plastic tanks commonly used for water butts and IBC containers. Check the required hole diameter for your chosen pipe size before drilling, and ensure the tank wall thickness falls within the fitting length range you select.

Yes — a rubber or EPDM washer on each side of the tank wall is strongly recommended to achieve a watertight seal. PTFE thread tape wrapped around the threaded connections further reduces the risk of leaks. Check the product listing or contact us to confirm what is included with your specific variant, as washer inclusion may vary.