COMMERCIAL SUPPLEMENT
BOILER
A holistic approach to commercial heating system protection
Corrosion, circulating debris, air in the system and microbiological contamination are amongst the issues that can seriously impact heating systems in buildings such as hospitals, schools, universities and offi ces. Here, Rob Jacques at Fernox looks at how systems can be protected with the right combination of eff ective chemical treatments and high-quality devices
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n line with the guidance in BSRIA BG50 and BG29, it is essential to protect commercial heating systems from corrosion, limescale, magnetic and non-magnetic circulating debris, air and microbubbles, and microbial contamination. There is no one-size-fi ts-all solution but best practice is to implement a holistic approach that combines eff ective chemical water treatment with fi lters and devices designed to address specifi c issues.
How to ensure eff ective chemical protection
One of the most important considerations is to ensure that the system is properly dosed with a quality inhibitor to address the risk of corrosion of system pipework and components. Not only does corrosion shorten the life of boilers, pumps and other equipment, but the sludge that is created also impacts the effi ciency of the system, leading to higher energy usage. For the most eff ective protection, the formulation of the inhibitor should also work to minimise scale formation and provide pH buff ering to achieve and maintain an optimum pH range of 7 to 8.5 in then system to prevent corrosion in mixed-metal systems. It is essential that inhibitor levels are maintained
through an appropriate regime of monitoring and system water testing. BSRIA BG50 recommends that the condition and stability of the system should guide the frequency. Sampling should be conducted every three months for stable, well managed systems that experience minimal water loss, but monthly where there are concerns, such as signs of deteriorating water quality and leaks, or ongoing maintenance works. Sampling should be completed every two weeks during commissioning, cleaning, handover, or where there has been uncontrolled water loss. Microbiological contamination is another issue
for low temperature systems, as bacteria and other microbes can grow and thrive in the system water. This contamination can reduce system
effi ciency through the formation of biofi lms, accelerate corrosion and even become a human health hazard. A biocide treatment added to the system water alongside the inhibitor can off er eff ective protection. It’s worthwhile noting that products from the same manufacturer are often designed to work together to provide comprehensive protection, but the product information must be checked to ensure this is the case.
The role of system fi lters and protection devices
Two issues that are not addressed with chemical treatments are circulating debris, which damages system components, and air in the system that accelerates corrosion. This is where fi ltration and separator devices come in. The most suitable devices for a given application
will depend on the type of system and the specifi c requirements. There are dedicated air and dirt separators available as well as combi devices that serve both purposes, while vacuum degassers provide a solution for the eff ective release of entrained gasses from the system water. For a comprehensive solution, there are all-in-one products that are engineered to capture magnetic and non-magnetic debris, vent air, and provide a dosing point for chemical treatments. Additionally, side stream fi lters, which are
installed on a bypass loop, are ideal for buildings where the heating system must operate continually, such as hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The bypass diverts a percentage of the system
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Above: Rob Jacques at Fernox
water through the fi lter as it circulates and can be isolated during cleaning or maintenance of the fi lter to eliminate system downtime. It is also recommended that engineers look at
how these devices and chemical treatments can work directly together to deliver an optimised performance. Some fi lters on the market include very fi ne fi ltration that can capture and neutralise circulating microbes, supporting chemical biological protection. For example, the Fernox CC1 Side Stream Filter Air & Dirt 90 is available with fi lter options down to 0.5 microns, fi ne enough to capture a range of bacteria. It also contains silver- ion antimicrobial technology to disrupt bacteria cell functions on contact. Conversely, the choice of chemical products can improve the performance of fi lters. Fernox Protector+ Filter Fluid F9 is an inhibitor that includes a dispersant designed to lift and deliver circulating debris to the fi lter for safe capture and removal. Every commercial-scale heating system will have
specifi c protection requirements due to the nature of the installation.
Implementing a holistic approach based on these
key considerations and requirements, and one that combines chemical and physical measures alongside regular maintenance, will help to ensure long term performance as well as minimal on-going issues.
18
September 2025
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