Egnaro

@Bramco @Big Jimbo WRS regs can be misinterpreted, but ultimately they do say any pipework through a wall has to be sleeved as noted above by @Nick Laslett However, much of this is now a moot point as the installation criteria laid out by the Heat Pump manufacturer specifies pipes do indeed have to be sleeved and insulated when going through walls At least that is good news...for me anyway ! As for the MCS, well what can I say! I recently spent a lot of time reading through their self promoting high standards material. I've concluded that almost any DIY person who can hold an hammer in one hand, and a lit ciggie in the other could install a heat pump to MCS Guidelines whilst reading a copy of the Beano. I was amazed that BC accept they have to leave standards in the hands of these kwangos as it's become so complicated and time consuming to enforce 'any' standard these days. There is a wide gap between bodging and satisfying regulations. If my example above is within any guidance then no wonder new builds from the large corporates are in such a state. I'm now on a long road seeking redress that I expect will take at least a year and involve various regulatory bodies. As I've already said, this is just one element from a catalogue of errors. Perhaps one day I can tell the full story. From your responses so far, I imagine jaws will hit the ground. Where I can, I will update this thread along the way.

@sharpener Indeed. If I put the installers hat on, I could argue that the pipework from the HP to the point it enters the wall is still a flexi, so only a small part is encased and the rest is allowed to flex and absorb vibration. BC say if it meets the MCS criteria (which it does) and the manufacturers spec, then it meets their requirements - despite the comment from BC noting it was an utter bodge. It is only when you close read the MSC guidance that you find it is found wanting.

@Nick Laslett That is useful and a good starting point. I've received a few responses from the flexi pipe manufacturers and UK suppliers. All have different takes on the subject ranging from 'not a good idea' to ' that's not the purpose of the flexi pipe'. None can cite a regulation. Building control say that 'pipes are to be suitably sealed when they pass through a building', but they place the onus on competent people who in general certify their own work. I think that last comment may hint that self certification may not meet BC regs ?

@Nick Laslett That is useful information. It does highlight how many of us automatically link 'poor quality of work' to a regulation.

You will be surprised to hear they are no regulations preventing flexi pipes being placed through an outside wall, with or without, insulation. Unless someone knows the exact, or a conflicting regulation from an unknown kwango. Water Regs, Building Regs, and the MCS allow this method.

I've been asked to cite the specific part of 'any' guidance that says you either 'cannot', or 'it is not best practice' to run flexible pipework through an outside wall. Or to omit suitable sleeving / insulation when flexible pipework is sited through an outside wall. Can anyone point me to the relevant part in any guidance literature? I cannot find it in any of the MCS, Planning, Building Regs, or other documents. As much as I would love to discuss at least another ten examples that are far worse than in the photo above, at this stage I need to be cautious until I can establish if what the installers have done goes against specific guidance by any regulatory body.

No money exchanged hands, thank god !

Let me just say, that was one of the better points of the installation. The point of this thread is to establish if the plumbing and electrical work was done to a standard that would raise concerns with MCS and Napit. I need to tread carefully until I can gather further information on the contractors, and investigate all the other electrical and pipework. So far, the overall installation is not looking good, the only positive is the HP appears to function. I won't mention the solar at this stage, that is a whole other story of woe.

Interesting. This may be point number 1 from a long list of potential problems I'm going to find as I take a closer look. As you can see from the photo (workmanship aside for now), there appears to be flexible pipes going through the inner leaf without insulation. When it passes through the outer brick it looks to have been treated with foam and cement.

Under MCS Guidance, if flexi pipes connect the HP to the internal pipework through the outside wall. Do the flexi pipes have to be insulated either by a wrap around product or expanding foam through both the outer and inner leaf? I'm unable to find anything on the above looking through MCS literature.

Yes it is.

Does anyone have any experience of this controller? I 'appear' to be having an issue selecting 'Weather Compensation' on my Aerona 3 HP. In Service> 1234> Heat Pump > 21 HP Set Points > 00 Weather Comp On/Off It is set to off, when I select 'On', it changes back to 'Off' again after around 4 seconds. At the same time, I can see access and adjust the heating curve. Am I conflating the two function?

I'm planning and building a small extension on a property that I've recently renovated. Also, I've just had an ASHP installed which I have many questions about 🫤