Underfloor heating installation instructions

• The following instructions will guide you through fitting the manifold(s), installing the underfloor heating pipe work to the manifold(s) and filling/pressure testing the completed installation.  The main reference for all the information you need to correctly install the manifold and pipe work is the CAD pipe layout drawing.  To correctly interpret the CAD drawing, refer to the instructions 'Reading a CAD Pipe Layout'.  Please note the installation instructions refer to the manifolds and floor heating pipe irrespective of what control system is being used.  Please refer to the correct section regarding the controls for the electrical and plumbing details.
  
  
• The first steps of fitting your underfloor heating system is to accurately check all the equipment that has been supplied as per the delivery note.  This should be done as soon as you receive the equipment.  This way you can familiarise yourself with all the various different components and also check that you have exactly what is stated on the delivery note.  This should also be cross checked with the actual design.  If there has been any errors, the supplier of the equipment should be contacted immediately. 
  
  
• Queries raised weeks or months after the delivery, depending on the circumstances, may not be able to be rectified.
  
  
• Familiarise yourself with all the installation instructions before starting the installation.  If you have any queries, please raise them with your supplier.
  
  

Fitting the Manifold

1. As it is necessary to fill and test the pipe work prior to the floor going down, the manifold must be fitted and all pipes connected to it.  It is bad practice to only install the pipe work and then put the floor down.  If you do this it is impossible to pressure test the pipe work and it also makes it very difficult to neatly and correctly fit the manifold at a later stage.
   
   
2. The manifold position will be indicated on the CAD layout drawing.  If this has changed you must get back in touch with the supplier of the equipment as this can have an effect on the overall design.
   
   
3. To make installation quicker and easier it is recommended that you clearly mark out the floor plan on the floor to include all partitions, kitchen units, staircases, sanitary wear and any other fixed fittings.  This will ensure that you do not put pipe where you are not meant to.
   
   
4. Depending at what stage the floor heating is being installed in the build schedule, you may find that the wall/partition that the manifold is being fitted on has not been erected yet.  If this is the case a simple temporary frame should be constructed.
   
   
5. The manifold should be attached to the wall/partition approx. 700mm from the top of the manifold to what is going to be the finished floor level.
6. Once you have the manifold fitted, you are now ready to start fitting the pipe work.  As you will see from the CAD, every effort is made not to 'cross over' pipes.  With this in mind it is best to start from one side of the manifold, working either left to right or right to left.  This ensures you do not end up crossing any of the floor heating groups.
   
   
7. Choose the correct roll of pipe for the group you are starting with.  The pipe allocation on the CAD will tell you which groups come off which roll.
   
   
8. Connect the end of the pipe to the manifold, it is best to connect onto the top manifold block, install the group and finish by connecting onto the bottom manifold block.  Before connecting the pipe onto the manifold fit a one metre length of the corrugated sleeving over the pipe.  This sleeving protects the pipe as it enters the screed and also cuts down the heat output of the pipe so you do not have a hot spot in front of the manifold.
   
   
9. Install the pipe as per the CAD pipe layout drawing taking care to use the correct pipe spacing.  Extra special care is needed when installing the pipe at 200mm c-c or less as there is a greater chance of kinking the pipe.  Always use a minimum turn diameter of 200mm, if need be, make a larger diameter turn and then bring the pipe back into the correct pipe centres.
   
   
10. Use the correct method of pipe fixing as supplied, more information on pipe fixing methods are found in the floor construction section.
    
    
11. Repeat for each group until all pipe work is installed.
    
    
12. The manifold and pipe work are now ready for filling and testing.