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No, I haven't selected a manufacturer yet, but thanks for the tip.

Has that detail been checked by the supplier/manufacturer? As with experience, the fixed pane/sliding section are over the slab but the front section which people will walk on is not. It has resulted in problems with operation in the past and warranties. All I’m doing is giving my experience and knowledge, you may find if issues occur that the warranty is invalid as it has not been installed as per manufacturers recommendations (I recommend that the manufacturer has checked it and confirmed it’s within their recommended details and warrantied).

It is not finalised, but it is a combination of me and my structural engineer. The rationale is that it is a walkout basement and the detail between the basement and the timber frame that makes up the top two floors means I can only have 100mm of external insulation on my basement walls (unless I step it out below the plinth, which I don't like the idea of), which is probably not quite enough, so I'm bulking it up a bit with 50mm internal Insulation (it would be enough if it was all basement, but it's not enough for the sections which are above ground- about 50% of the wall area). Under the slab will be 150mm, just because, so there is probably no need for the 50mm internal insulation there except I'd rather thermally isolate the screed a bit more from the concrete slab as the walls will be colder than the floor. Does that make sense? All thoughts appreciated, it seems like the best compromise of quite a few aspects to me but I'm not an expert...

Do most treatment plants run at intervals? A bit quirky these Vortex, they have a settled sludge return which operates for 5 minutes every hour hence the timer. Will have a read of the original manual.

I need about 75 x 100mm wide Thermoblocks & 18 x 215mm wide Thermoblocks to deal with the perimeter (inner leaf) & internal block walls on my design. Based on the very first website I looked at, these will cost no more than £1200, allowing for overs. I haven't worked in the cost of the special glue, but neither have I deducted the cost of whatever might have gone where the Thermoblocks will go. Given the anticipated value of the completed house, & more importantly, the added comfort & other benefits, I'm happy to spend the £1200.

It is a bit. Yes, although, we're steering it back on track with our discussion of Aircrete blocks. Very good point - thank you. I amended the drawing with the Marmox & then thought, "I probably should have put the brick & the block that goes on top of the Marmox the other way round.", even though I didn't have the reasoning you have provided in my mind. I think keeping the change of materials below skirting level (or as low as possible) is another point in favour of a run of Marmox (65mm high vs 215mm for Aircrete). Blown beads. Thanks, @Gus Potter. When I think about it, I agree with you. I had only been thinking about water coming down from above, but I see there's the possibility for moist air to come up off the trench blocks. I think I need to find time for a new drawing & some more questions - I'll start a new thread.

Why not run for 15 mins every hour or 30 mins every other hour etc?

You and these valves need to get a room pal !

That particular one is a KORE raft foundation system, so yes, it's a big 'L'-shaped profile so cannot 'float' or detach. Your detail is perfectly 'doable' with the correct fixings and methodology to keep the insulation in place. Looking again at your detail, why the 300mm slab design with UFH in screed over just 50mm of insulation? Who's design is this, and what is the rationale for the spec?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, only just catching up. @craig whilst the compacfoam does rest on the EPS and concrete, the track of the sliding door is above only the concrete so the load path will be directly down through the compacfoam Into the concrete, the compacfoam will see no bending and the EPS will see essentially zero load from the slider. I could adjust the compacfoam so it is only on the concrete but I see no advantage to doing thay- the compacfoam should help spread any point loads from the sill. Or at least that's what I'm thinking, maybe I'm wrong? @Nickfromwales is the EPS the frame rests on integral with the slab Insulation? My concern is that mine probably will not be, and therefore may move somewhat Independently of the slab. And then I worry about the DPC, probably because I don't understand the detailing. @Russdl I'd love to see any more details of the GRP and it's fitting if possible.

Where's North please? Am I correct in assuming this is a complete new build from the ground up or are you reusing foundations? Do you have any neighbors that you will be in danger of overlooking?

not everyone who trades is above the VAT threshold...

Either/or If you piped a bypass on both the flow and return ports then you could set the system to be a buffer, flow side volumiser, return side volumiser or entirely absent with just a few valve changes... 😁

Thanks Conor, the fall isn't the best and there is after v. Shallow puddling if it's been raining. The gutter is quite shallow and the fall isn't the best with that to be honest but it is a suntrap so dries out quickly when the sun's shining. I'm definitely tilting towards pedestals as it's the less risky approach.

I don’t like the idea of a jack and Jill downstairs cloakroom sorry 😂

Fyi discovered these recently, they work surprisingly well into twinwall: https://www.easymerchant.co.uk/underground-drainage/twinwall-drainage-pipe/pipe-fittings/110mm-twinwall-pipe-saddle-adaptor/

The work is very rough and it will have gaps too. I too suggest a complete repointing and a paint over. I like Blackjack as it is easy to use and fills the gaps. Although it is a very basic and plain material I've never known anyone dislike it, as they should be noticing the nice structure above.

Yes and no. This would need very detailed consideration and a site survey, just to give this preliminary advice. After you have had it, may be the time to ask on here for other ideas, which a good SE will be happy to discuss. But do be aware that the term 'raft' is used to mean different things to different people. Do you mean a heavily reinforced slab that could span over soft spots and support structural walls, or simply a concrete floor?

indeed. and it is the contractor who would be in very big trouble for not declaring the income. The IR know when annual returns look imbalanced and the VAT computer spots anomalies too. Plus taxes do have a purpose. That customer is probably going through life complaining about government services, and the brown envelope brigade because that is what they would do. 'How much for cash in hand?' Oh just allow a 5% handling charge.

Agreed. Just my hunch, but allowing it to settle may give other, less aerobic, bugs an opportunity to prosper.

So if you use 2 zone control, you may need the volumiser with a 7kW heat pump, but if you just run as a single zone I would just take the buffer out the pipe work and slot a couple of spool pieces in. Why - General rule of thumb, and a specific requirement for some heat pumps is 20L per kW of heat output at min ASHP turn down. The 20L is calculated on the smallest zone that can call for heat. If you have a well zoned house (lots of thermostats), leave the buffer as it is.

Means 'does not fracture'. Usually means it does not get work hardened, which a lot of metals suffer from without treatment, usually thermal. The really hard one to understand it 'toughness'. I was told it was a combination of many of the physical properties, but was never happy with that explanation. Usually used as a volumetric measure to resist fracturing.

We have a WTE Vortex treatment pant using the same Secoh pump, in use last 6 years. Pump runs 24/7. Emptied every 2/3 years as we have an existing septic tank in use from another building. Simple timer operation with no PCB. I would simplify the operation.

“Malleability”. Got this drummed into me as an apprentice electrician.

I’d always put the volumiser on the flow with a heat pump, but if this can be chopped to minimise work and needs to stay on the return I doubt it’s a huge issue.