Pressure and Flow Testing

[bolo 2]

I added the following to a previous thread but got no replies:
“Plumber has just left and will submit his estimate for the swap over to the unvented hot water system later. The big surprise was that he made no attempt to measure either the pressure or the flow of the existing water supply.”
Perhaps I should have asked:
“Is it unnecessary OR would a plumber normally measure pressure and flow rates before submitting an estimate for the installation of an unvented hot water system?”

 

[ajrtd]

What time of the day did he attend? Because outside of the 7-8.30am and 5-7pm pressure and flow rates are meaningless.

 

[bolo 2]

Thanks for the rapid reply, the plumber attired at 7.30am and left just after 8am.

 

[ajrtd]

I would have tested pressure and flow at that time of the morning.

 

[Madrab]

“Is it unnecessary OR would a plumber normally measure pressure and flow rates before submitting an estimate for the installation of an unvented hot water system?”

A properly experienced and trained plumber should yes and discuss the relative design about what the system will produce. Of course if he is local he may already know how the district mains performs but that is still a guesstimate when it comes to the end user and IMO not an acceptable approach. Did you ask to check his G3/HWSS ticket? What is the property type, no of bathrooms etc and what do you want from the system?

Hear this more and more - some installers don't care about the performance and as long as it 'ok' then they'll crack on as it's all money.

 

[bolo 2]

A properly experienced and trained plumber should yes and discuss the relative design about what the system will produce.

He didn’t!

Of course if he is local he may already know how the district mains performs but that is still a guesstimate when it comes to the end user and IMO not an acceptable approach.

Not local but from nearest large town.

Did you ask to check his G3/HWSS ticket?

I asked and he said yes. His van and membership of a national watchdog, confirmed this.

What is the property type, no of bathrooms etc .

30 years old, 5 bedroomed semi detached house with a bathroom with toilet and an over-bath shower, a shower room and a downstairs toilet.

and what do you want from the system?

Constant hot water without the noise of a newly installed pump (to be removed prior to installation of unvented system).

 

[Madrab]

5 bedroomed semi detached house with a bathroom with toilet and an over-bath shower, a shower room and a downstairs toilet.

If you want the ability to power 2 showers when say the washing machine kicks and someone does the dishes, without then having to run about the shower to get wet then the dynamic pressure and flow will be key. As suggested make sure it is tested when the max usage of the system will be needed.

If you are in a rural area then peak time drops will have greater impact that if you are in the more built up areas closer to town. These areas tend to be closer to the pumping stations on fatter district mains and the dynamic pressure and flow tends to be a lot more stable than out in the sticks.

That being said I'm out in the sticks up here in Glasgow and the figures are excellent any time of the day, very little drop off @ peak times

 

[bolo 2]

Did you ask to check his G3/HWSS ticket?

He’s here now and spent 2 hours trying to fit an overflow pipe in the wrong place. Has now started boring a new hole in hopefully, the right place. Should he carry the G3 ticket with him and is he allowed to do the changeover without one. He just replied that he has the G3 ticket.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

He just replied that he has the G3 ticket.

Ask to see it, to be sure. If he has it, he will be more than happy to show it..

 

[Madrab]

Yes - he is not allowed to engage in anything regarding the unvented unless he is qualified and holds an in date unvented ticket.

+1 - He should happily show it and thank you for asking. If he is gas it may be on his gas safe ticket if he has applied it.

 

[bolo 2]

Chaos! First plumber called to another job but 2 others have arrived to assist. Even though they are all staying to work late I’ve just been told that at least one will be back tomorrow for a half day or so. They’ve been drilling on snd off for 6+ hours.

 

[Madrab]

What is it they are drilling for (and through what), an overflow pipe? Where and for what? I presume it's for a cold water cistern or is it for something else?

 

[bolo 2]

What is it they are drilling for (and through what), an overflow pipe? Where and for what? I presume it's for a cold water cistern or is it for something else?

They’ve removed the tank in the airing cupboard and replaced it with, I think, an unvented pressure system tall white tank. Ten hours on it yesterday and already another five hours today.

 

[Madrab]

Ah, ok I see, so they are actually installing an unvented cylinder.

Just make sure they complete the benchmark and with their full name and contact details etc and make sure the warranty is registered and it is BC notified/self certified.

 

[bolo 2]

BC??