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JAH HEATING

Plumbers Arms member
Plumber
Gas Engineer
Mar 23, 2012
750
139
43
Right guy's just a bit advice really please..

Got quite a big job to price for a customer I do work for, well it's big to me as I'm just really common with your typical 8 rad heating installs and breakdwons etc

Anyway, the hosel has 4 floors consisting of 12 rooms

Each room has a kitchen and an ensuite, which currently has an Electric shower.

The owner is stating he want's mixer showers putting in

I recently put a new boiler in his own house, a Ravenheat 150btu combi which he bought himself. I don't really rate Ravenheat but it was his choice, and he want's to put a few in the hostel now.

THe Hoste has and Industrial meter u40, I think ?

As I said earlier, this job is quite big compared to what I normally do and to be honest the first thing I thought was 12 showers running at the same time (possibly) combi's no chance ? Even if you had 3, wouldn't the main struggle with such a demand ?

I've haven't got my unvented ticket so don't know too much about it, but system boilers and unvented a better idea ?

A lad I know mentioned boosted cold water, something I'm not familar with.

Obviously, if it is one of the latter 2 I'd have to bring somebody in as it's not really my game.

Cheers, advice appreciated
 
You need to find out what the water to the property is like first, if not up to the job it needs upgrading, or a booster set.

I'd be tempted to go for a direct fired water heater an Andrews, lochinvar or the like.

Heating just a standard system zoned accordingly, depending on the heat required maybe 2 boilers on a low loss header with a cascade controler
 
What size incoming water main? Pressure and flow l/m

If this is not adequate then it is storage cisterns and cylinder or cylinders or as said mains boosted with an accumulator
 
cheers boys, I'm going round to check the pressure next week.

so combi's out of the equation ?
 
I'd be a bit careful of what items you are to supply and / or fit. If its a hostel there are likely be different rules for what types of showers and taps you can fit, and you'll almost certainly have to fit a TMV to each outlet. The owner has a duty of care to the occupants, and will have to comply with relevant regulations / legislation. Anything you supply / install will also have to comply. On the up side, the installation ought to be inspected / serviced every year, so could be a regular income.
 
Hi Lads

Could anyone explain what a cascades controller is or point me in the right direction as Roger is offline at the mo
 
It is a controller that controls 2 or more boilers sequencing them so they get equal use
 
Andrews do a continuos water heater that could cope with this demand. But I think stored is the way forward. Btw you have got a commercial ticket?

Andrews will do a site visit with you and spec everything for you
 
Andrews do a continuos water heater that could cope with this demand. But I think stored is the way forward. Btw you have got a commercial ticket?

Andrews will do a site visit with you and spec everything for you

No, it's looking more likely that the job's a bit of my field ?
 
this seems more of a commercial job, so commercial materials are widely available, there are commercial taps, showers, basins etc. TMVS will probably no doubt have to be installed. have you got your commercial gas ticket ??

I think you may need to sub some of this work out, get a hold of someone with commercial experience sounds like will need a plant room with couple of unvented cylinders and a large boiler to cope, maybe even booster set fed from tank. Secondary hot water circulation may also be required.
 
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Here this isn't Quite in commercial you could stick in 2 300l unvented cylinders and do the calculations for what size boiler you need. Get someone with a commercial ticket to run in the gas line for you. Put in mixer valves so theres no risk of scalding and your fine.
 

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