WATER BY LAW (FILL LOOP)

[DUAL-FUEL]

In all my books and boilers manuals about Fill Loops on a sealed systems, It advises you to remove the flexi pipe. Yesterday I was told that as long as there is double check valve installed you can leave the flexi connected.

Most sealed sysytems always have the mains turned off , but the flexi connected. I have been advising my customers to disconnect the flexi because of the risks and also the confirm with the water reg. 1999.

Can anybody advise me please...

 

[breezer]

disconecting it is cheaper than check valve and you are 100% sure of no problems

 

[ollski]

leaving the filling loop connected is a not to current standards situation in theory, I just inform the customer it should be disconnected but if they do they may get leaks and lost filling loops. It's up to the customer as long as they have been advised.

 

[AlanE]

Under current water regs the loop should ONLY be connected whilst filling system. It should then be disconnected.

Alan

 

[ChrisR]

Absolutely! The Double check valve is not optional it's mandatory, as is a tap at each end of the hose which must be removed.
"Not to current standard " doesn't apply in that that is a Gas Regs assessment, nothing to do with water regulatons.

Leaving a loop connected can trash your boiler if the tap(s) let-by a bit.

 

[DUAL-FUEL]

Thanks for the feed back. Has anybody done any sealed system course?

 

[ollski]

"Not to current standard " doesn't apply in that that is a Gas Regs assessment, nothing to do with water regulatons.

.

I know where you are coming from but corgi say:

Not to current standards

An installation which which is not in accordance with current regulations, codes of practice or standards and specifications.

Take that as to mean if M.I's are not complied with in any regard to the installation inc filling loop, it is NCS. That is BG procedure anyway.

 

[billy bob]

That is BG procedure anyway.

What does it matter what the BG procedure is, they are just an installation company like the rest of us, apart from been more expensive

not to current standards, is a gas term, leaving the filling loop connected is breaking water regulations and as it has been said, it is to prevent the system been over pressurised if the valve let-by and having a check valve is a must, it should also be noted that the check valve is now fitted to the mains inlet side the heating side only requires a valve

 

[ollski]

That is BG procedure anyway.

What does it matter what the BG procedure is, they are just an installation company like the rest of us, apart from been more expensive

It doesn't matter at all except that BG will have spent an extraordinary amount of money to be sure that the procedure they lay down is accurate and the procedure is that plumbing defects which are not correct to manufacturer's instructions are reported as ncs.

 

[billy bob]

NCS is not a plumbing term

BG have have not spent any money, they are governed by the water regulations and must abide by them, it has nothing to do with manufacturers instructions, the water regulations are superior to everything, unlike gas, where the MI can overide the gas regs

 

[ollski]

BG have have not spent any money

trust me the working procedure updated DVD's and documents DO cost a lot of money and they go to great lengths to ensure the information is accurate.

No NCS is not a plumbing term it is a gas term...it is however the only term that can be applied to plumbing and electrics in regard to a system no matter how dangerous.

Taken directly from the corgi unsafe situations guidance booklet:
Not to current standards

An installation which which is not in accordance with current regulations, codes of practice or standards and specifications.

 

[billy bob]

Corgi have nothing to do with the water regulations

 

[ollski]

No they don't...nor wiring regulations but they still clearly state in their handbook that an installation contravening the BS 7671 - IEE wiring regs in relation to bathroom zoning is an example of an NCS.

 

[billy bob]

Well I have been a plumber for 22yrs and I have never used the term NCS in plumbing, it used to be that it was broke water bye-laws and now it is against water regulations, there is no such thing as NCS in plumbing, if it is an existing system it won't be to current water regulations, but as long as it was installed before the new water regulations came into force it is OK, if it is a new installation and it is not installed to current regulations it is breaking water regs and should be changed

If you think about it all existing properties are not to current regulations, the new regs require a 6 litre flush, existing properties would be 7 litres and some will be 9 litres, but you do not condemn the properties as they are pre 1999 and you do not classify them NCS

 

[ChrisR]

I did thnk Oilski was right , & I was wrong. NCS applies to the gas appliance and its installation. If you get the clearances for servicing wrong, it's NCS. Pretty marginal though! I wouldn't put NCS on a landlord's gas certificate for a filling loop infrngement. I do know that a discharge pipe infringement is NOT NCS, it is believe it or not an infringement of the Heath And Safety at Work Act! That came from someone paid to know so it should be right. (?!) So a fill loop can't be NCS either!