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boilingpoint Safety guidance for safe
Sustainable heating for a heritage peak district home
A project to sympathetically restore and extend a home set in an area of outstanding natural beauty could already be described as difficult. Yet renovating this property with sustainability in mind adds further challenges, especially when it comes to heating and plumbing
minimise environmental impact while also meeting local planning policies that encourage low-carbon solutions. Though the building was not listed, there were additional requirements regarding the elevations of the property, which were to remain unobstructed. To supply the property effectively and efficiently, Renewable Planet
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recommended installing two 10kW heat pumps. These pumps needed to be positioned away from the main building to preserve unobstructed views around the home, adding further complexity. Specifically, these pumps would need to be discreetly placed while also allowing access for maintenance and adequate airflow.
Realising a pipe dream
To address these requirements, Rehau’s Rauvitherm pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe was specified. With a high-flexibility PEX foam layer and corrugated outer jacket, Rauvitherm is a pipe system that is highly flexible and robust at the same time. These features allow for more complex connections, making the pipe
system well-suited to small- to medium-sized heat networks and heat pump installations. For this particular project, it could offer superior thermal retention while minimising heat losses from the pump to plant room. “Having considered many options and specifications and after extensive
research following on from a high number of installations, we chose this system to support the quality and consistency of installation and minimise heat losses,” explained Peter Mycoe, director of Renewable Planet. “It allowed us to ensure that these systems are installed properly for our clients, and can operate both efficiently and effectively.”
A trench-based triumph
Positioned approximately three metres from the house, the heat pumps were connected via a trench extending from the front of the property, running along
his was the situation facing Renewable Planet, the energy consultants on this particular project in the Peak District. Taking place on green belt land, any works would require a sensitive approach to design to
handling of LPG cylinders N
ew industry guidance has been developed to support the safe storage and transportation of LPG and propylene non-refillable cylinders in the plumbing and heating sectors.
Although designed for blowtorches and widely used for soldering, brazing, and general heating applications, non-refillable cylinders can often be mistaken for consumer camping gas canisters, which have different storage and transport requirements. The new guidance sheet known as GS40, has been developed by Liquid
Gas UK, in collaboration with European standard bodies and the Department for Transport, to provide a clear point of reference for UK businesses to safely store, transport, mark, and dispose of the cylinders. Richard Hakeem, director of technical and safety policy at Liquid Gas UK,
says: “This new document is designed to give free, practical guidance for builders and plumbers merchants, wholesalers, stockists, and DIY retailers, where trade professionals and the public typically purchase non-refillable cylinders. It also serves as a resource for local authorities and Trading Standards teams to assess compliance when inspecting businesses. “Before the publication of GS40, there was no single, concise reference
guide consolidating all relevant regulations, standards, and best practices for these specific cylinders,” explains Mr Hakeem. “The new guidance aims to resolve this lack of clarity - distinguishing between trade-use non-refillable cylinders and canisters used for portable cooking appliances, outlining clear responsibilities for suppliers. “Those handling non-refillable cylinders must understand the properties and hazards of LPG and propylene, ensure correct equipment selection such as regulators, and implement essential fire and safety precautions. Basic safety information must also be provided at the point of sale to ensure proper usage. This guidance will ultimately help businesses develop their own safe storage and transportation processes,” says Mr Hakeem. GS40 aims to prevent safety risks by providing clear guidance on proper
storage and transport limits, clarify legal obligations for businesses stocking the cylinders, and support Trading Standards teams.
to its opposite side before going to the plant room in the cellar. Everloc male adaptors were used to connect a lead-in bend in the trench, to two 18m lengths of 40mm Duo Rauvitherm. Combined with Everloc compression technology and heat shrink shrouds,
Rehau was able to provide a reliable, leak-tight system using Rauvitherm PE-Xa pipes. The flexibility of the pipework also allowed the team to easily navigate the trench under an access bridge that went into a small opening in the cellar wall, preserving the building exterior’s overall aesthetic.
Low carbon, high performance
The system meant Renewable Planet could provide a low-carbon, high- performance heating system that did not obstruct the home’s views and outlook. This sustainable solution was implemented without compromising on the property’s appearance or local planning policies encouraging low-carbon solutions, while also allowing for an effective and efficient system.
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