Finding the right underfloor heating system

Wavin Plastics advice on how to choose and install underfloor heating systems - Part 1 of 4: UFH systems for screeded floors.

In a 4 part series, Karly Taylor, marketing manager for Wavin Plastics, will be giving advice on how to choose and install underfloor heating (UFH) systems, whatever the floor type, shape or size of room.

Wavin Plastics, the UK's leader in water management solutions, has developed a number of clever UFH solutions to suit all applications.

Karly will be offering advice on the different stages of system selection and installation.

In Part 1 of 4 the focus is on UFH systems for screeded floors.

Karly explains the different OSMA UFH systems available and gives hints and tips on how to choose the right one for your project.

OSMA Underfloor Heating from Wavin provides a number of options for underfloor heating installation on screeded floors, whatever the shape or size of the room.

The choice include Staples, System Plates and Pocketed Polystyrene systems - with each one cleverly designed to ensure a quick and easy installation.

Staples.

Staples is the most basic system, giving full layout flexibility and allowing the installer to decide the pipe spacing and choice of insulation.

It's especially suitable for small and irregularly shaped floor areas.

System Plates.

The System Plates option is a cleverly designed method for fast placement of UFH pipe, whilst still offering flexibility and installer choice as to pipe spacing and insulation.

Vacuum formed interlocking sheets hold pipes in place using integral grips, making it the perfect choice for diagonals and secure turns in the pipe route.

Pocketed Polystyrene.

The third option is Pocketed Polystyrene - the fastest system of all.

Pocketed Polystyrene enables installers to fit both the insulation and the base for the UFH pipe at the same time.

Insulation panels have machined channels and screed pockets to grip the pipe, which means the pipe spacing is already set at consistent centres.

Special end panels hold the pipe turns and insulate the Flow and Return pipe runs for each circuit.

These three options really do give installers the freedom to choose the system that suits them, and the room, best.

They're genius because whichever one is chosen, there are no special skills or tools required.

They're all simple to install which is what makes OSMA UFH so clever.

Once you've chosen the right system for your project, follow the relevant instructions below for a quick and easy installation.

If you have any questions you need answering, contact the OSMA UFH helpline on 01392 444 122 or via email at info@osmaufh.co.uk .

To find out more information, including the formula for intelligent UFH, visit www.genius-ufh.co.uk .

Installations:.

Whichever system you choose, ensure the sub-floor is flat and level before you start.

Place edge insulation around the room perimeter.

Staples: Step-by-step installation.

1] Insulation panels.

* Lay plain insulation.

* Use staggered joints to cover the whole floor area.

* Seal joints with tape or cover with vapour barrier as applicable.

2] Mark Out Pipe Layout.

* Start from the point in the room nearest to the location of the manifold and heating supply.

* Follow a serpentine or spiral pattern with pipe at 200mm centres.

* Pipe runs should preferably follow the longest direction of the room.

3] Placing Pipe.

* Place the pipe into position in accordance with the marked layout.

* Feed the pipe from the centre of the coil: DO NOT REMOVE THE PACKAGING FROM THE PIPE COIL.

4] Securing Pipe.

* Secure the pipe to the insulation at regular intervals using OSMA Staples.

* Approx.

500mm intervals are recommended.

* A staple gun is available: this enables stapling from a standing position.

* To ensure loop turns are secure, staple the pipe at the apex of each turn.

System Plates: Step-by-step installation.

1] Insulation panels.

* Lay plain insulation.

* Use staggered joints to cover the whole floor area.

* Seal joints with tape.

2] Position System Plates.

* Place the System Plate with the SINGLE nodule in the corner of the room.

* Note the position of any cut-away of this plate - other plates should be laid in the same orientation.

* Lay and fix the other plates - overlapping one row of castellations to lock neighbouring plates together.

* For pipe spacing each castellation group should be 50mm.

* Follow block laying sequence guide to minimise cutting and wastage.

* Use plate tacks to secure sheets to insulation.

3] Placing Pipe.

* Place the pipe in a spiral pattern.

* Start 100mm from wall with 400mm centres into the centre of the room - then reverse out to achieve 200mm centres.

* Pipe can be walked in.

4] Fixing Bends or Loops.

* Use castellations to grip the pipe and achieve bends, loops and offsets, by hand.

* Insert the pipe carefully between nodules at a MINIMUM of 300mm diameter for any turns to relieve pipe stress.

Pocketed Polystyrene: step-by-step installation.

1] Lay End Panels.

* Lay loop return end panels at each end of the room.

2] Lay Main Panels.

* Lay the main pocketed panels to cover the remainder of the floor.

* Ensure the machines channels match up with the channels in the adjacent panels and/or in the loop return end panel.

3] Placing Pipe.

* Feed the pipe into channels, pressing down carefully into the pre-cut channels.

* On long runs, the pipe can be unrolled from a standing position and pressed into place with your foot.

Completion and commissioning.

* The final stages for all systems are pressure testing the system, positioning manifolds and controls and balancing the system - watch out for tips about these on this site over the next three weeks.

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