large system help ?

[Steve ski]

Have been asked to quote for replacement of 5 radiators in clubhouse bar, like for like nothing to difficult, after having asked to look at boiler room for draining and re-fill, system is run by two boilers and lots of 50mm copper etc,pretty large system. Primarys running two u/v,s for showers and bathrooms, just unsure where to drain and refill, going back tmw to look over with more time, half the system is mild steel , half copper,(been added to over the years ! )~ 3mtr rads etc bit concerned, getting in too deep, A lose money on it , B lose the job and further business agghhh? C look like a right **** if it goes belly up ???

 

[lame plumber]

if you are unsure, walk away. However youll not learn if you dont have go, it will give you a few sleepless nights but when its done you wonder why you worried. A mid point is to use a more experienced mate to do the job with either with them using you or you sharing the job 50/50 many ways to skin a moggie

 

[kris]

Hi Steve, don't let the size of the pipe work put you off , it will still work in the same manor, it's just bigger scaled, just check to see what zone is what , sometimes larger systems will be zoned for more control so if you can sus out the zone your working on you may land lucky and find isolation valves for that zone, then again it maybe all one , take the first half hour if you take the job to trace, learn and familiarise,,,,

 

[Millsy 82]

If the valves hold just isolate and take off and replace. If they don't then allow plenty of time the worst places to work are pubs and clubs where the system has been added to and changed over the years.

 

[Ermintrude]

Just pull it all out and fit a combi.

There will be doc on the primary some where. Take it it's a sealed system?
Turn off boilers and pumps. Drain whole system. Clean primary filters. Do work, add 10l of cleaner, fill and vent. Turn on pumps run then once clear of air run boilers at 20% for 15 mins then 50% then 100 after a week drain and repeat

 

[Steve ski]

thanx guys didnt get time to get back there today, but will do soon, have a plumber mate who might do it with me 50/50 apart from i supply, appreciate all your helpfull comments, going to spend a good hour or so tracing the primaries, an work out where it all drains from, and refills too, Its quite intimidating to look at but im sure a good bit of detection work will pay off. will keep you informed and maybe some pics, thanx all

 

[stevetheplumber]

usually there nothing much different to any system
turn everything of running a comercial pump dry would be exspensive
stop the water going in
could be sealed in which case same as working on a combi
header tank turn of or tie up ballvalve
third system is a pumped fill on a sealed systen in which case you just need to switch of pump set
then its drain down as per normal
filling is basicly reverse mains fill or switch the pump set back on
release the ballvalve or turn back on
the other alternative is use an electric freezer if its a big system this can be worth it to save draining and filling

 

[Swift2506]

Just pull it all out and fit a combi.

There will be doc on the primary some where. Take it it's a sealed system?
Turn off boilers and pumps. Drain whole system. Clean primary filters. Do work, add 10l of cleaner, fill and vent. Turn on pumps run then once clear of air run boilers at 20% for 15 mins then 50% then 100 after a week drain and repeat

dont make it sound to simple everyone think will won't to do our nice snippy jobs