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Manifold Plumbing Underfloor Heating Systems

• The function of the manifold plumbing system is to distribute hot and cold water to various points of use from a central point.  Depending on the property, one or more sets of manifolds will be used.
  
  
• The principal is to supply domestic hot and cold water to the respective manifolds, and using continuous pipe runs distribute this water to baths, basins, wc cisterns etc.
  
  
• When connected to an unvented hot water cylinder and cold mains supply, a manifold system will allow adjustments to be made to the flow rate to each appliance for both hot and cold water.  It also provides for isolating individual tap outlets to allow maintenance on those taps.
  
  
• With continuous pipe runs between manifold and tap there is also the benefit of not having to worry about joints under the floor or in other inaccessible places, the complete system can be installed and pressure tested whilst other trades are working.
  
  
• Final fitting of basins, cisterns etc can be carried out after decoration of the property.
  
  
• The pipe used to distribute water from the manifolds to the appliances is normally 16/2 composite pipe, this material is also known as multi-layer pipe and consists of an inner Pe-x core, aluminium core and an outer Pe-x Layer.  The aluminium component is laser butt welded and all layers are bonded together with adhesive.  The end result is a very strong material that is flexible enough to be pulled through areas that are normally inaccessible to copper pipe, and yet rigid enough to be neatly clipped in place and not sag the way plastic pipes will.
  
  
• Connections to the manifolds and the wall boxes serving the appliances is by compression fittings, these consist of M24 nut, compression ring and pipe insert.  The insert has 'O' rings on the shank inserted inside the pipe, and an 'O' ring on the flange that inserts into the fitting.
  
  

• All pipe runs shown are continuous lengths of 16 x 2 composite pipe.  The pipe is available bare, sleeved or insulated.
  
  
• The flow & return main supplies to the manifolds are not included in the worked example but could be done in the larger bore composite pipe.
  
  

The main cost savings using manifold based plumbing are:

• Reduced time on site.
  
  
• No naked flames (insurance implications).
  
  
• Greatly reduced 'call backs'.
  
  

The main advantages of using manifold based plumbing are:

• Ease of installation.
  
  
• No hidden joints.
  
  
• Ease of balancing.
  
  
• Ten year guarantee.
  
  
• Individual outlet isolation valves.