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Tel: 045 892939
Mobile:
087 2530846
info@powerflush.ie
PFS Power Flush Systems Ltd is one of Irelands first power flushing companies to specialise in the cleaning and treating of domestic central heating systems.
With domestic households accounting for
28% of total energy use and resulting CO2 emissions, Fernox is committed to
helping achieve dramatic increases in heating efficiency and lower fuel bills
in-line with Kyoto protocols and national and international guidelines.
Whilst SEDBUK- rated boilers may promise
improved savings, without effective water treatment limescale and iron oxide
deposits could negate efficiency gains over time.
Fernox products and testing services
guarantee maximum effectiveness in hard or soft water areas. Effective water treatment is best value
guaranteed
Most of the domestic gas boilers
installed in Ireland come from England
Part L
In England Government Enforces the Use
of Chemical Cleaning and Chemical Inhibitors on Boiler Change.
In May 2006, the Government released the
Domestic Heating Compliance Guide. This leaflet provides guidance on how to
meet the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations for England and
Wales.
The Compliance Guide details the steps
necessary to comply with Part L for both new or replacement central heating
systems in domestic households. The guidance sensibly draws on industry
approved practices and allows the boiler manufacturers to have a say in which
products are compatible with each boiler.
Gas-fired Central Heating Systems
For gas-fired central heating systems the
Compliance Guide specifies that, the boiler should have a
minimum efficiency of 86%
as defined by it’s SEDBUK value1
; and minimum provisions must be met for
· System circulation
· Hot water storage
· Pipework insulation and specific controls must be installed.
Minimum provisions for system
preparation and water treatment must be met.
What are the minimum provisions for
system preparation and water treatment?
Central
heating systems must be thoroughly cleaned
and flushed out before
installing a new boiler.
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There is a difference between cleaning
and flushing. |
During the final filling of the
system, a chemical water treatment inhibitor should be added to the heating
system to protect against corrosion, scale and sludge. It is recommended to
follow the guidance on how to prepare and commission systems detailed in BS7593.
BS7593 is the recognised code of practice
for cleaning and inhibiting central heating systems. Re-issued in 2006, it
recommends the use of power flushing as the most efficient method of cleaning
existing systems to restore the energy efficiency of the overall system.
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The compliance guide specifies chemical water treatment, because, unlike physical water treatment devices, the effectiveness of a chemical can be easily proven. It also recognises that not all water treatment products are the same. |
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In order to comply with Part L, a chemical
inhibitor, which prevents both corrosion and scale, should be used. Many
products available today are not formulated for scale prevention. The Fernox
Protector range is an example of corrosion inhibitors that offer very good scale
control.
Installers should refer to the
boiler manufacturer’s installation instructions for appropriate water treatment
products and special requirements for individual boiler models.
This allows the boiler manufacturer to
recommend products used within their boilers. Boiler manufacturers and partners
have undertaken extensive test trials to ensure that the chemical cleaners and
inhibitors are formulated to meet the individual needs of the boiler.
Where the mains water hardness
exceeds 200 parts per million, feed water to water heaters and the hot water
circuit of combination boilers should be chemically treated to reduce the rate
of accumulation of limescale.
Water hardness is measured by the amount
of calcium carbonate it contains. In areas where the supply of water is
particularly hard, the calcium carbonate can contribute to the formation of
limescale. Limescale deposits are more common where a great deal of heat is
generated, such as in heat exchangers.
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One of the most effective methods of treating water to reduce the formation of limescale is to install a device that proportionally doses food-grade polyphosphate into the water, such as the Fernox Scale Preventer - Quantomat. |
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1 In existing dwellings, in some exceptional circumstances a more lenient measure may be applied.