Minimum Distance from Boiler before fitting Speedfit?

[Softus]

plastic is for cowboys

Can't agree with you on this one Kev - I see countless poor installations in copper and very few in plastic, and that's not because copper is used more.

the tradesmen among us prefer a bit of pride in our jobs

Quite true, but this doesn't mean always using copper and ignoring the benefits of other fittings and materials.

A sensible owner would get each installer to quote for both copper and plastic.

Any professional installer could quote for either!

Would you?

Could you?

 

[kevplumb]

oh dear i didn't see the "plastic is for muppets " included in that one

if yer want to use the stuff feel free

if you want me to use the stuff DREAM ON

i only do 2 screwed iron and copper

i sleep at night COS I KNOW

 

[Softus]

if yer want to use the stuff feel free

I wouldn't recommend that anyone installs it if they don't know how to - just because push-fit fittings use the word "push" doesn't mean that you only have to know how to push.

i only do 2 screwed iron and copper

No brass then?

i sleep at night...

 

[ChrisR]

Leaving out the opinionated ranting for a while...

Most plastic pipe /push fit problems are due to miss-assembly.
Plastic pipe can burst under fault conditions where copper wouldn't.
It doesn't hold the same combination of pressure and temperature.

If the main boiler stat fails on some boilers, the water can get much higher than 100º before the high limit stat turns the boiler off.

The pressure in a sealed system can be up to 3 bar. Manufacturers can be a bit coy about giving the temperature at which the pipe will actually hold 3 bar!

If the High Limit stat fails as well, the water can get to 150+º (at 3 bar) before it boils. Plastic pipe certainly won't stand that.

This

happens. One Plastic pipe manufacturer told me they get about one complaint of a burst every week.

Modern boilers are much better controlled than some older ones (like Ideal Mexico's), so a failure of just the main boiler stat wouldn't make the water hot enough at the normal 1-1.5 bar to burst plastic pipe, but it's close.

Is a burst pipe a disaster - it depends. If you have a runaway boiler it could be a minor problem. Sooner or later something has to give.

 

[Softus]

All interesting stuff Chris, but I'd be interested to know why that pipe burst. For example, was there any evidence of scratching/gouging at that point?

And regarding the incidence rate, I'd be interested to know how one burst per week compares to the number of instances of corroded (or worn-out-to-paper-thinness, or so-badly-soldered-that-you-can't-maintain-it) copper installations that let people down.

I'm not anywhere near as experienced so you are, but I'm replacing worn out and corroded sections of copper pipe at least once a week, andyet I've never seen one burst plastic pipe.

 

[Nige F]

plastic bursts under heat........copper bursts under cold........oy vey........life`s too short already

 

[JohnD]

i sleep at night...

I like that!

 

[Mike2007]

The customer wants COPPER (not even any microbore!), so copper pipe it is. Thanks for all the contributions, they all come together to create a sense of attitude rather than text book facts.

I see Speedfit and Hep2o both comply with BS (thats not BS for Bull ****) so someone out there believes in them. They use plastic extensivly in most parts of the world and have done for years. It has its limitations, but this where more expensive copper steps in!
My trainers, my clothes and many other household things are now oil based....so plumbing goes the same way.
The Biggest drawback is any joe can put it together and reduce the need for a qualified tradesman....anybody know where to buy shares in B&Q??
Thanks

 

[Balenza]

The person who wants to fit a sealed heating system in plastic pipe should be regarded as a potential cowboy!

A sensible owner would get each installer to quote for both copper and plastic.

Any professional installer could quote for either!

My view is that plastic is unsuitable for heating systems because it cannot stand double fault conditions!

Tony

Only a complete idiot would write a statement like this.
99 percent of UF heating is installed with plastic piping.

Can you state how many accidents the HSE report yearly due to double fault conditions occuring on all heating systems installed in the UK. ???

 

[Balenza]

Kevplumb wrote

so why should i worry cos i don't use the s***te
__________________

Another idiot obviously.
I hope you are not involved with anything to do with heating installations because you clearly have a limited knowledge.

 

[kevplumb]

Another idiot obviously.
I hope you are not involved with anything to do with heating installations because you clearly have a limited knowledge.

not quite as limited as yours bonny lad

and if you call being certificated up to 2.5 mw limited feel free

 

[Balenza]

Another idiot obviously.
I hope you are not involved with anything to do with heating installations because you clearly have a limited knowledge.

not quite as limited as yours bonny lad

and if you call being certificated up to 2.5 mw limited feel free

Whats being certificated up to 2.5 mw got to do with the nonsense you posted about plastic piping. ??

Is this supposed to impress me or something bonnie lad .

And if YOU can state how many accidents the HSE report yearly due to double fault conditions then feel free.

 

[kevplumb]

seeing as i didn't make the post about double fault i won't play your silly game

as for impressing anybody i don't give a damn

i know how good i am

now be a good little boy and **** off with your arguments

 

[Balenza]

Kevplumb wrote


never read so much **** for a long while

I certainly haven't.

plastic is for cowboys

What do you call UF heating installers bonnie lad ????

the tradesmen among us prefer a bit of pride in our jobs

Your experience is obviously limited bonnie lad.

 

[kevplumb]

so is your attempt to wind me up BONNY LAD