THE BOILER & HOT WATER GUIDE
BSEE
Improving the aesthetics and safety of heating and hot water pipework
The heang and hot water systems installed in commercial and public sector buildings have ancillary pipework that needs to be managed for aesthec and safety purposes. Preformed pipe boxing is a simple soluon that provides consistent results and saves me and money on site. Gavin Byram, naonal sales manager of Pendock, explains more
run smoothly, efficiently and safely. This pipework is usually concealed from view, or ‘boxed in’ – largely for aesthetic reasons, but also for safety. While exposed copper pipes are currently fashionable (they are, for example, favoured in some offices, apartments, restaurants and bars, especially those with an industrial or vintage design theme, and where brickwork and structural supports are also left on show), they are often considered unsightly. Pipework can be particularly unattractive if the runs become long and complicated; this can happen if heating equipment is upgraded and needs to be re-sited to meet building regulations, or if a heating system is relocated or extended because the building is reconfigured to accommodate a change in occupancy levels.
P
In addition, exposed pipework that’s circulating hot water can also cause a burn risk, as can radiators. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), serious injuries and fatalities have been caused by contact with hot pipes and radiators1
. In fact, between April 1
2018 and March 31 2019, there were 838 hospital admissions* in England due to unintentional injury by contact with hot heating appliances, radiators and pipes2
,
and it’s estimated that in 2002, 19,495 A&E attendances involved a fall onto a radiator or hot pipe3
.
The risks are potentially greater in public sector buildings used or occupied by vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with reduced mental capacity or mobility. Such buildings include hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing, schools and buildings open to members of the public, such as leisure centres.
According to the HSE information sheet on managing the risks from hot water and surfaces in health and social care4
, where an assessment has identified that vulnerable people
ipework is an essential component of every heating and hot water system, helping equipment like boilers and water heaters to
may come into prolonged contact with hot surfaces, such as exposed pipework or radiators, the guidance is for the equipment to be designed or covered so that the maximum accessible surface temperature does not exceed 43°C. Similarly, the Education (School Premises) Regulations5
state that in a
special school, nursery school or teaching accommodation used by a nursery class in a school, the surface temperature of any radiator, including exposed pipework, which is in a position where it may be touched by a pupil shall not exceed 43°C. Meanwhile, in Section 5 of Approved Document M: access to and use of buildings, volume 2 – buildings other than dwellings6 guidance for sanitary
, the
accommodation is for any heat emitters to be either screened or have their exposed surfaces kept at a temperature below 43°C. Exposed pipework can also be left open to potential damage (whether accidental or deliberate) – and damage to a pipe carrying gas or water can have major consequences, including huge repair costs. Another significant concern, especially for mental health facilities, is that exposed pipework (and again radiators) can be used as a ligature point, as a cord or rope could be attached to it for the purpose of hanging and strangulation. It’s therefore likely that most owners and managers of commercial and public sector buildings will want heating and hot water pipework boxed in. And it’s important for building services engineers to be able to deliver an aesthetically pleasing, consistent result – without causing too much disruption to occupants. Boxing in solutions can be fabricated on site using wood or MDF. However, this involves cutting the material to size, gluing it around the pipework and priming and painting it, which takes time and is therefore costly, delays completion and inconveniences occupants. The results are not always satisfactory either, especially if the pipework layout is complicated and there are multiple bends to accommodate. In addition, when pipework needs to be inspected or maintained, this type of boxing in can be difficult and time-consuming to remove without causing damage and refurbishment costs.
An alternative solution is made-to- measure, pre-formed pipe boxing. Combining practicality, aesthetics, flexibility and function, it can be fitted at low or high level, vertically or horizontally and in corners, meaning lengths of pipework running along walls, skirting boards or ceilings can be easily and neatly concealed. Meanwhile, pre-formed boiler pipe casings can be fitted beneath boilers, wrapping around the pipework for a neat look. Pre-formed products are easy to work with, and, with minimal cutting involved, there’s no requirement for training or carpentry skills. We estimate these solutions take half the
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time to fit compared to on-site fabrication, making them cost- effective and efficient. And, when pipework needs to be accessed for future maintenance or repair work, pre-formed pipe boxing and casings can be easily removed and refitted, or access panels can be installed. Where the risk from radiators is concerned, low surface temperature (LST) radiator guards can be fitted neatly over existing radiators, without affecting heat output, performance or energy efficiency. Where surface temperatures must not exceed 43°C, a baffle can be included for guaranteed temperature control, and guards with a welded anti- ligature mesh can also be fitted. Pre-formed skirting cut outs and valve access panels make installations quick, simple, neat and consistent, and our products can be supplied with a drop-down lockable panel for routine cleaning, inspection and maintenance. Many building owners and managers will want heating and hot water system pipework covered for aesthetic purposes, as well as to reduce other risks, such as burns and damage. Pre-formed pipe boxing provides a practical, cost- effective, time-saving solution, while the installation of LST radiator guards can help to further protect vulnerable people.
Manufactured in Britain, Pendock’s pipe boxing is available in standard and bespoke sizes and colours, in pre-formed wood or metal, and radiator guards can be produced in any colour, shape or size. The company offers full support, site visits and help with overall project design. For further information, please visit
www.pendock.co.uk.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/ scalding-burning.htm 2
1
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and- information/publications/statistical/hospital- admitted-patient-care-activity/2018-19 3
RoSPA analysis of data from DTI Home Accident Surveillance System 2002 4
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2/ contents/made 6
5
https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/access-to-and-use-of- buildings-approved-document-m
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2020 21
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis6.pdf
‘
An alternave
soluon is madetomeasure, preformed pipe boxing. Combining praccality, aesthecs, flexibility and funcon, it can be fied at low or high level, vercally or horizontally and in corners
’
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