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WATER TREATMENT Demineralisation
The water’s pH level and conductivity also need to be considered when preventing corrosion and some installers are now taking steps to remove minerals and salts within the water.
While Part L recommends the use of inhibitors, some installers are now also filling the heating system with demineralised water to prevent salts and other minerals increasing the water’s conductivity and therefore reducing the risk of corrosion further. The reason for this is that this method is considered more environmentally friendly than adding chemicals to the system. In certain areas of the UK where water hardness is quite low, demineralised water could have a positive impact. While not currently outlined in the UK’s building regulations as a standard for reducing the probability of corrosion, demineralisation is a key part of Germany’s VDI 2035 which supports Europe’s EN12828 standard and outlines the pH of water in the system should be between 8.2 and 10. It’s worth noting however that demineralisation is not a substitute to using chemical inhibitors.
Deaerating the system
Another way to reduce the possibility of corrosion from occurring in the first place is to fit a deaerator to the system. Air that is dissolved into the system’s water is released as a highly corrosive gas when the water is heated. Increasing in popularity within the installer community, deaeration devices remove these microbubbles and vent them safely to the atmosphere before the gas has the chance to have an effect on the system’s components.
Attracting results
In addition to system flushing, the addition of inhibitors or demineralisation, installers should also ensure that sludge doesn’t enter the boiler’s heat exchanger by fitting an inline filter in all closed loop systems.
Magnetite is the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring minerals on the planet which is why it’s advisable to fit a magnetic filter when possible. Usually installed at the point of boiler installation but able to be retrofitted following cleaning or maintenance, magnetic filters are engineered to actively trap virtually all circulating ferrous debris within the system. And while these filters cannot prevent sludge build-up, they can remove any mobile magnetic particles from the water and minimise the damage it causes to the system. In an independent test, ADEY’s MagnaClean was shown to reduce boiler emissions by up to 7% and save customers up to £80 a year on their annual gas bill. The real saving to customers (and benefit to installers!) though, lies in reducing the hassle of emergency call outs and potential boiler replacements. In return, BS 7593 and BENCHMARK require that these filters are cleaned annually to remove the debris they have caught. Installers can add more value by servicing the magnetic filter alongside the rest of the heating system during annual checks. Bear in mind that inefficiencies can be caused by non-magnetic debris too like copper and aluminium which aren’t caught always caught by a magnetic filter. While this debris doesn’t form in significant amounts, it can still be detrimental to system performance and cause localised blockages. To tackle this issue, filters including a gravity filter to remove these particles would be required. Every system is different and installers must choose the correct course of action to suit their customer’s needs and budget while complying with building regulations BS 7593 and BENCHMARK. However, it is essential that customers understand the causes of sludge build up, as well as the solutions to reduce the risk. Armed with the knowledge of how sludge is formed, and how additional solutions can save them money in the long run, customers should make a decision that is not only best for the ongoing performance of their system but also one that increases an installer’s bottom line.
boilingpoint J
ohn Thompson, CEO of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) looks at the merits of WaterSafe - a free online directory and national accreditation body for competent and qualified plumbers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. WaterSafe is a national register of approved plumbers launched in October 2013 with backing from UK water companies and the drinking water regulators. The scheme checks and approves plumbers to protect homeowners and businesses who are looking to have plumbing work carried out. There are many benefits to being on the WaterSafe register. Approved plumbers can self-notify certain types of plumbing work without issuing prior notification to the local water company and approved plumbers can issue certificates to confirm that the work complies with the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws. This can speed up how quickly work can be done and provides reassurance to customers that you’re qualified and trusted to work safely with water. Plus, customers can easily find a registered plumber online via the WaterSafe website.
In addition to water companies, WaterSafe is recognised by many large organisations who only use businesses that employ WaterSafe approved contractors. For example, NHS guidance advises all hospital trusts to use WaterSafe approved plumbers in their premises.
To be eligible to become a WaterSafe approved plumber, you must operate in the UK, hold a suitable plumbing related NVQ Level 2 qualification, have a recognised water fittings regulations certificate and be a member of an Approved Contractor Scheme, which APHC is one. You must also hold Public Liability Insurance for £2 million and where applicable have Employers’ Liability Insurance of £5 million. You must have in place an appropriate customer complaints handling process and agree to issue completion certificates and make appropriate notifications to the water company. Perhaps the best part of WaterSafe is that it can be free for suitably qualified plumbers who are members of an Approved Contractor Scheme. This means members of APHC who hold a recognised water fittings regulations certificate can join WaterSafe at no cost. You can also join WaterSafe through of one of the other six Approved Contractor Schemes which include Anglian Water’s APLUS, CIPHE, SNIPEF, Severn Trent’s Watermark, Thames Water’s TAPS and The Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme.
Ultimately, WaterSafe helps give approved plumbing businesses the recognition they deserve. Visit
www.watersafe.org.uk
www.heatingandventilating.net
July 2020
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