Ufh protection

[junglejim]

Looking at where the ufh comes through the screed to the manifold. Any tips on protecting?

 I’ve seen these used; https://www.vpsunderfloorheating.co.uk/product/ufh-90-degree-pipe-support-bend/

 

but don’t know if I’m better off with some ducting and if so any suggestions?

 

 Thanks

[JohnMo]

The bend supports are just that, depending on what pipe you are using it may be helpful to use them. With something like Pert-al-Pert, which forms its own bend they may not be needed. 

 

If you want to add something, some flexible electric conduit could sleeve the pipes, 20mm conduit should be ok.

 

 

[junglejim]

3 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

The bend supports are just that, depending on what pipe you are using it may be helpful to use them. With something like Pert-al-Pert, which forms its own bend they may not be needed. 

 

If you want to add something, some flexible electric conduit could sleeve the pipes, 20mm conduit should be ok.

 

 

Thanks. Would you suggest using both or can the bend supports double up as protection?

[crispy_wafer]

For what its worth, pert al pert will form and hold it's own bend, and is pretty robust.  I did what JohnMo has suggested above, sleeved in flexible conduit, cheap stuff from toolstation or screwfix I think.

[Nickfromwales]

19 minutes ago, junglejim said:

Thanks. Would you suggest using both or can the bend supports double up as protection?

Assuming you’re installing the manifold at the same time? If so, then can it be mounted in its final resting place? If not, then I always shutter out a section where the pipes come out of the slab.

 

 

There was a bit of foam added to the rear of that block of PIR and then the concrete was poured. 
 

This allowed some wiggle room when the wall was finally built and the manifold could be attached in its forever position. With those bend ‘formers’ in your link this is more difficult afaic, as the pipes then can’t be manipulated into position before finally back-filling with cementitious SLC.  
 

I do the same if the screed / concrete is going down before the manifold goes on. 
 

 

 

You can cover / sleeve the pipes as above, but not really necessary imho. Doesn’t really add much. 
 

The Pert Al pipe can hold up the weight of the manifold more or less by itself, but as per pic1 I installed re-bar and made a cradle just so the concrete guys couldn’t push it over or move it etc during the pour.

 

FWIW, I’ve never had one of these pipes fail, ever, they’re pretty damn tough. 

[Bancroft]

@Nickfromwales - can I ask why some of the pipes shown in your first photo above have been clad in additional insulation?  Was it just to stop rubbing/interference before entering the manifold, or was it for other reasons?

[Nickfromwales]

23 minutes ago, Bancroft said:

@Nickfromwales - can I ask why some of the pipes shown in your first photo above have been clad in additional insulation?  Was it just to stop rubbing/interference before entering the manifold, or was it for other reasons?

The grey insulation was left on as it was minus 2°C, and we couldn’t feel our fingers. 
 

Finesse had left the building! 
 

I insulated the flows to various areas in line with the clients wishes to mitigate against possible localised overheating (but doubt this is actually an issue).

 

This was all simply cut back to top of concrete and dressed in afterwards. 
 

FYI the black pipe coming up to the right was the pre insulated underground pipe to the ASHP. 

[Nickfromwales]

During winter, don’t forget you need to pressure test with air and NOT water  

 

And make sure the automatic air vent cap is closed tightly or air will pass through that and it’ll look like a leak.

 

Some water and fairy liquid can be brushed over fittings to see if any air is leaking; it bubbles up and you can see it straight away. 

[Bancroft]

30 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

FYI the black pipe coming up to the right was the pre insulated underground pipe to the ASHP. 

Thanks for that.

 

Were the outflow/return pipes from the ASHP individually insulated within the larger black pipe?  Does it impact performance with them being so close together?

[Nickfromwales]

5 minutes ago, Bancroft said:

Thanks for that.

 

Were the outflow/return pipes from the ASHP individually insulated within the larger black pipe?  Does it impact performance with them being so close together?

The flow and return are both 32mm pipes in the centre of a 160mm duct, fully filled with EPS insulation.

 

 

The two smaller ducts are for the 230v mains and low voltage signal cables.