My friend recently had a shower fitted the earth is right next to the shower screwed to the wall.. is this safe, is it actually earthing the shower?

No and no!!

I also note that the filter and flow control valve are on the outlet side, wrong and potentially explosive if he shuts down the flow for warmer water.

EDIT Does he still have the instructions that came with the shower? At least getting the plumbing right is not a complex job.

as an extra comment if their is no earth connection in the consumer unit an alternative dedicated earth should be connected by suitable size

cable to a 2 metre copper rod driven in to the ground completely , a wire connected to the wall probably using a plastic plug is not an earth

well spotted Crossy re the water connection

No and no!!

I also note that the filter and flow control valve are on the outlet side, wrong and potentially explosive if he shuts down the flow for warmer water.

EDIT Does he still have the instructions that came with the shower? At least getting the plumbing right is not a complex job.

Sorry Crossy. i'm not sure i 100% know what you mean.

are you saying that the hoses are actually the wrong way around? Nope i got ya... the bit that is connected to the shower with the little valve should be on the inlet side not the outlet side..

Thanks to you both. I have let my friend know.

You got it CB

Cue "The Rain in Spain"

Obviously a Thai install. Who else would put the shower head belly high?

RE the flow control: I submit it's not that big a deal (I remove altogether and let the inlet valve do the control so there is no confusion.)

Obviously a Thai install. Who else would put the shower head belly high?

RE the flow control: I submit it's not that big a deal (I remove altogether and let the inlet valve do the control so there is no confusion.)

Removing the flow control indeed is not an issue apart from the fact that they often also contain the gauze filter.

BUT, installing it on the outlet could compromise safety, these heaters are intended to use the shower head as the safety vent in the event of a thermostat failure, close off (or significantly reduce) the outlet and there is a potential accident.

No big deal, true, but if it wasn't needed the manufacturers wouldn't include it and therefore make more profit.

Obviously a Thai install. Who else would put the shower head belly high?

RE the flow control: I submit it's not that big a deal (I remove altogether and let the inlet valve do the control so there is no confusion.)

Removing the flow control indeed is not an issue apart from the fact that they often also contain the gauze filter.

BUT, installing it on the outlet could compromise safety, these heaters are intended to use the shower head as the safety vent in the event of a thermostat failure, close off (or significantly reduce) the outlet and there is a potential accident.

No big deal, true, but if it wasn't needed the manufacturers wouldn't include it and therefore make more profit.

Other than the filter (only needed if necessary) there is no need for the extra control valve in the system if you already have a tap / valve on the incoming supply. I throw them straight into the recycle bin.