• What are the requirements for a loft installation?
• How do I balance a heating system?
• Can I fill a system with softened water?
• Why is system flushing important?
• Do I need to fit a bypass?
• Can I fit a new boiler onto an existing "one pipe system"?
What are the requirements for a loft installation?
Boiler installations in roof spaces should comply with the following additional requirements:-
| • | Enough vertical clearance should be provided to satisfy the static head requirements for an open vented system. |
| • | Fixed flooring should be provided under and around the boiler for servicing. |
| • | A permanent means of access to the roof space should be provided e.g fixed, retractable loft ladder |
| • | Fixed lighting should be provided. |
| • | A guard should be provided to prevent contact between stored articles and the appliance. |
| • | The exit from the roof space should be provided with a guard rail to prevent anyone falling |
| • | Isolation of gas, water and electricity should be possible without entering the roof space |
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How do I balance a heating system?
Set the lockshield valve on each radiator to _ turn from fully closed then run the system from cold, noting the rate at which each radiator is heating up. The lockshield valve on any radiator, that is slow to heat up, should be opened slightly to encourage water flow to that radiator. Adjustments should be made until all radiators heat up at the same rate.
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Can I fill a system with softened water?
Water supplied via a water softener should not be used to fill any central heating system unless a corrosion inhibitor specifically formulated for the purpose has been added.
Moreover, softened water should not be used where the system contains aluminium under any circumstances.
Because the chemical composition of softened water is very variable, we recommend that filling a system with it should be avoided by turning off the softener whilst the system is filled, if possible.
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Why is system flushing important?
Flushing of a central heating system in accordance with BS 7593 is carried out to remove contaminants such as flux residues, grease, jointing compounds, oxides produced by the corrosion process, bacteria and in hard water areas limescale.
If they are not removed, these contaminants form a harmful sludge in the system which reduces the efficiency of the system, causes noise and could potentially reduce the useful life of the appliance.
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Do I need to fit a bypass?
On open vented models, a bypass circuit, 3m long and incorporating an automatic bypass valve will be required.
On combi and sealed system models that are supplied with an integral bypass, an external automatic bypass may still be required if there is any doubt that the minimum flow rate as specified in the installation instructions will be maintained at all times.
The above requirements are in line with CheSS best practice.
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Can I fit a new boiler onto an existing "one pipe system"?
Although we do not preclude the use of one pipe systems they should be treated with caution. The reducing water temperature along heating circuits makes balancing difficult and can also make it difficult to obtain the correct differential temperature across the boiler. Moreover, as these systems tend to be older, special attention must be given to cleansing.
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