CW tank size

[Paulie]

I'm about to fit a shower which is to be pumped via a Salamander NP50 and a thermostatic mixer. The pump instructions recommend a 50 gallon CW tank. The existing tank is 50x50x50cm and I reckon this must hold about 25 gallons. Thing is, it looks like it's made of asbestos.

Like that stuff used for shed roofs when was a kid. Explodes when thrown on a fire.
Ahem.
So I'm told.

This tank only feeds the indirect HW cylinder (the WC and bathroom cold taps are mains fed) and I see problems if I tee off the pipe to the cylinder for the cold side of the pump.

So, I can't use the existing tank and I cant replace it with a 50 gallon due to the loft hatch being too small. I guess I will have to fit a 25 gallon tank at the same height just to feed the shower.

Will this two-tank setup work or do I need to fit a 50 gallon tank?

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[HarrogateGas]

Be carefull with your exisiting tank...it sounds like it might be lathered in ' Monkey Muck' (technical term). If this is the case its one of the worst forms of asbestos and id recommend calling in an asbestos firm to check and remove the tank and then when you have your certificate of removal fit a nice new plastic on in its place, 50 Gallons in size if thats what the pump manufactuers recommend. Perhaps a pic of the tank might shed more light but as always with asbestos, air on the side of caution.

 

[gas4you]

Fit 2 new 25 Gal tanks side by side. Ball valve to fill in one tank, 22mm link pipe between the 2, cold shower and hot water cyl fill outlets off other tank

 

[Paulie]

I know what you mean by monkey muck but it isn't that. I think it's made from asbestos cement. All the same, I dont like the idea of having that up there and I think I've found a 50 gallon tank which will fit through the hatch. A little more costly but less plumbing than two tanks and it won't give me a lung disease.

Ta for your input.

 

[Nige F]

get yourself an airbrush kit and paint rivits and rust spots onto the as/cem tank to make it look like a sh*gged galvy one then hide it in a dark corner of t`attic

 

[Paulie]

That's one idea, Nige!

Looking around for guidance I found this:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a15.pdf

I only wanted a shower.

The words 'can' and 'worms' spring to mind.

Maybe I could go a step back and fit a 25 gallon tank just for the cold to the shower. That way I won't have to touch the killer tank.

BTW, the 50 gal recommendation is per bathroom. How much water would be used per 10 minute shower? I only take five minutes. Much longer if I have company.

 

[Paulie]

Well, the new one's in and filling. Just the vent and inso to do.

So far it hasn't come crashing through the ceiling so the 4 by twos are doing their job.

Now I can get on with the shower.

BTW, Herts County Council say they will collect or, employ a firm to collect, the asbo tank, FOC.

They do this to discourage fly tipping, apparently.