How to avoid using fittings under floors?

[AD1]

When it comes the water supplies I intend to install a manifold system, with pipe runs to each outlet to reduce the amount fittings in the floor/ceiling space. 

 

I am using an MCS installer for our ASHP, UFH, UVC and upstairs Rads installation. They are wanting to install the rads on a traditional branch system with elbows/tee's within the floor/ceiling void. 

 

Has anyone managed to install their heating system without using fittings in floor voids? and/or what options do I have?

 

AD

 

 

[AD1]

Anyone? .. 

[Nickfromwales]

On 03/01/2023 at 10:35, AD1 said:

When it comes the water supplies I intend to install a manifold system, with pipe runs to each outlet to reduce the amount fittings in the floor/ceiling space. 

 

I am using an MCS installer for our ASHP, UFH, UVC and upstairs Rads installation. They are wanting to install the rads on a traditional branch system with elbows/tee's within the floor/ceiling void. 

 

Has anyone managed to install their heating system without using fittings in floor voids? and/or what options do I have?

 

AD

 

 

Hi.

Yes, I just installed a manifold ( like an UFH manifold ) but without the thermostatic valve. Ideally you'd have a pump on this manifold as the rads and the GF UFH will need to be hydraulically separated. Will need a small buffer or a low loss header to do this.

The pipe runs from the rads manifold can be continuous runs, but will likely need to have a joint before they rise out of the floor, as the pipe will likely not have a very tight bending radius. You cannot use 10mm pipe as it's a heat pump, so 15mm minimum pipe size will be required for the flow rates to be optimal.

 

If you use the manifold method, you can then have smart thermostats opening and closing actuators to each room instead of TRV's on each rad.

5 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

They are wanting to install the rads on a traditional branch system with elbows/tee's within the floor/ceiling void. 

Nothing really wrong with this BTW, and I have 100's of these types of installs under my belt, done over the last 30 years or so, without issue.

[Big Jimbo]

I did my heating on a downstairs manifold. Home made, and an upstairs manifold. 22mm hep pipe to each manifold, and 15mm hep from the manifold to each rad. No joins under the floor. The only thing i will say, is that the hep that come through the floor has to be spot on, or it can look a bit bendy. I have found this handy, as each rad can be isolated and removed for decorating without having to turn the heating off.  The next time i will have actuators as Nick said, so that each room can have a thermostat. A plumber mate said to make sure that the 15mm flow and returns to the rads were kept to a max of 5 metres. Been going for 5 years without a problem.

[Big Jimbo]

5 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

I did my heating on a downstairs manifold. Home made, and an upstairs manifold. 22mm hep pipe to each manifold, and 15mm hep from the manifold to each rad. No joins under the floor. The only thing i will say, is that the hep that come through the floor has to be spot on, or it can look a bit bendy. I have found this handy, as each rad can be isolated and removed for decorating without having to turn the heating off.  The next time i will have actuators as Nick said, so that each room can have a thermostat. A plumber mate said to make sure that the 15mm flow and returns to the rads were kept to a max of 5 metres. Been going for 5 years without a problem.

Just wanted to say. I'm not a plumber, and to be honest the next time i do water from the stopcock up, i intend consulting Nick on here, who is so knowledgable on all things water.