Hep20 Technical Handbook

Hep 2
O ® Design Considerations
Systems Planning
Cabling Through Joists
The 1992 Building Regulations
Approved Document A allows for
pipework to be installed within joists
by one of two methods, notching or
drilling. Traditionally joists have been
notched and the pipework laid in
because the rigidity of the pipe does
not easily allow for any other method
of installation. This means that the
pipework must be installed before
flooring boards are laid.
Rigid pipework has a number of
disadvantages:
•
the plumber has to work on
open joists increasing risk of
accident or injury.
•
the plumber will have to return
after floors are laid to connect
radiators, etc.
•
the plumber often finds that the
tails originally installed have been
moved by other tradesmen
thereby causing extra work to
reposition pipework correctly for
radiators.
Flexible pipework
Hep 2 O ® flexible pipework cabled
through joists means that it can be
installed by working from below
allowing exact positioning of ‘tails’
through floor boarding.
As flooring can be laid prior to the
plumber carcassing from below this
will progress the building schedule as
other trades can work on the floor
above e.g. to form studwork, etc.
Carcassing at a later stage in the
construction programme is also
more pleasant as the building is
likely to be weatherproof.
Flexible pipework also has further
advantages:
•
cabled pipework can more easily
utilise continuous runs of
pipework.
•
dry runs are not necessary as the
pipe can be cut and joints made
in situ.
• there is less possibility of
puncturing the pipe with nails
used for fixing the flooring
boards, and there is no need to
use protective devices such as
‘joist clips’.
• Hep 2 O® can be trimmed to
length and the natural flexibility
used to overcome any misalignment.
• when Hep 2 O® is cabled through
joists it can be easily positioned
to allow for the installation of
thermal insulation if required.
Pumps and valves
Where Hep 2 O ® is connected to
pumps, valves and similar devices
consideration should be given to
adequately supporting the item in
question (bearing in mind the
rotatability of the Hep 2 O ® joint).
Equipment should therefore not be
suspended from the pipe without
adequate support.
Enhanced site safety and less
risk to health
Installing the plumbing system below
a completed floor means that site
safety is enhanced and the plumber
is not exposed to the danger of
falling or the discomfort of kneeling
on open joists. Other trades also
working below are protected from
falling tools, molten solder, gas
bottles etc.
The unique Hep 2 O ® fittings ensure
effective, high performance pipe
jointing without the use of a naked
flame.
Safety from fire, especially in
restricted spaces, is therefore
greatly increased and the working
environment is improved.
As there is no need for flux and
solder, any potential contamination
of water supplies is eliminated.
Push-fit jointing also has further
safety advantages:
•
no naked flame means that
precautions such as obtaining a
‘hot work’ permit, having a fire
extinguisher readily available, and
remaining on site for a while
after jointing are not necessary.
•
no risk of infringement of Health
and Safety recommendations
applicable to some brands of flux,
such as the means to control
exposure to noxious fumes when
working in a confined space, or
the use of eye protection (where
appropriate).
•
after jointing the fitting is clean
and safe to touch, whereas after
soldering, the joint is hot and flux
traces have to be removed.
•
as no solvents are used in
jointing, the system can be tested
as soon as the installation is
finished.
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