Floor heating system based on pipes made of crosslinked polyethylene

Why choose a warm floor

Radiant floor - a low temperature heating system in which the heating element is mounted in the foundation or slab with a liquid coolant circuit. Line is connected to the collector nodes of circulating fluid and maintain the set temperature. The bulk of the contours in the current systems is performed pipes of crosslinked polyethylene (PE-Xa), although it is possible to use other types of (plastic, corrugated stainless steel).

Crosslinked polyethylene is characterized by an increased resistance to high pressure and overheating, as well as increased service life, and less It is demanding installation conditions that determines the popularity of its application not only in the underfloor heating, but also in other engineering systems buildings.

Depending on the type of substrate (ground, floor slabs, wooden logs) and mounted concrete slab (based on the GCR, OSB, DSP, etc.). Underfloor heating system. The most common concrete water underfloor heating systems - a coupler circuit walled subfloor compliance with recommended parameters.

Timur Zharkov (Uponor Company Specialist - Head of Product Management and Design):

Screed floor heating system shall be manufactured in accordance with the SNP .03 .13-88 2 "Flooring" snip and 3 .04 .01-87 "Insulation and finishes." The total thickness of the screed is calculated in accordance with a load capacity, referred to in the specifications. The thickness of the screed over the pipes should be 30 mm to 70 mm, it is generally 45 mm above the pipe. A layer of less than 30 mm, not only is more susceptible to deformation and cracking, but is insufficient for effective heat removal, and uniform heat distribution.

Floor heating systems are ubiquitous as an additional heating source, but in recent years they are increasingly being selected and as the primary heat source. This is due to several factors:

• Principle - coming from below the heat more uniformly heats the entire volume of the room, as it rises to the ceiling air temperature decreases.
• Economy - to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature needs less energy, reducing heating costs.
• Efficiency - sufficient coolant heating to 30-40⁰S for entering the operation mode.

The choice of the optimal method of heating depends not only on the performance of the systems themselves, but on the design parameters of energy saving. Heated floor as shown in the main heating energy efficient homes where heat losses are minimized.

Why insulation

Regardless of the variety of floor heating system and the type of substrate, a circuit layer is required to fit the heat-insulating material.

Timur hot:

floor structure insulation is to reduce heat losses downwards. Insulation layer should consist of rigid plates density of not less than 35 kg / mᶟ, most often Epps. The thickness of the insulation layer shall be 30-90 mm, depending on the mode of heat loss and heat the premises. Typically, basements layer thickness is 90 mm, for other sufficiently 30mm.

To maximize heat transfer used with or foiled insulation layer, or another layer on top of the insulation material with a reflective surface. This also allows to protect the surface of the plates from contact with the cement milk during pouring. For the same purpose use waterproofing - special, included in the line system of a particular manufacturer or thick polyethylene film.

Features underfloor heating device

Any concrete floor heating system must be "floating" - is not associated with the base or the walling. The coefficient of linear expansion of the concrete screed floor heating is 0.5 mm / m under heating to 40⁰S. Therefore, a concrete slab insulation to avoid stresses in the construction of buildings. The lower gap layer of insulation is provided on the perimeter of the damper is used tape, and it compensates for thermal expansion, and heat loss through the side wall overlaps. Moreover, being water-resistant, it prevents moisture from a wall tie.

To reinforce concrete screed applies reinforcement mesh, which may also serve as a basis for fixing the tube during assembly of the system.

Timur Zharkov

Metal reinforcing mesh cell 150h150h4 mm or 100h100h4 mm serves to reinforce the concrete screed and can be the basis to which a plastic pipe clamps mounted underfloor. For single reinforcing mesh is placed on polystyrene, with double reinforcement may further be stacked on top of floor heating pipes.

Furthermore, to improve the performance characteristics of the screed various modifying additives are introduced into the solution, the most common - polypropylene fiber.

Regardless of the presence of the modifier used for pouring concrete grade not lower V22,5 (M300).

To minimize the possibility of destruction of the screed and finish coatings due to thermal expansion during warm working the floor surface area of ​​the heated one loop must not exceed 30 m² (side length 8 m). When these dimensions are exceeded, area divided deformation (compensation) sutures, for which the perimeter of the stack damper tape. Tubes passing through the expansion joints, carefully protect a special casing or the corrugated pipe is not prevented from entering a loop stitches of loops, only pipelines (pressure and reverse).

Installation of floor heating systems

Mounting systems water underfloor heating It is carried out in several stages.

Substrate preparation - a base layer under the insulating boards should be as smooth. When you check the two-meter rule clearance is greater than 7 mm, it is necessary fill the screed. Before laying the panels around the perimeter of butt glued to the bottom of the damper tape.

Insulation laying - thickness of insulation layer is calculated, based on the accommodation region, the type of substrate (ground or floor) and the characteristics of the building. Plates stacked with slot system without additional fixation, joints stacked plates glued special tape. "Apron" belt laid over the damper plate, after which the surface blanketed waterproofing or multifolgoy.

Timur hot:

Using multifolgi increases the amount of heat radiated upwards, reducing the amount of heat loss downwards. It is watertight, thus preventing the penetration of moisture and laitance in lying underneath insulating material.

Stacking circuit - a pipe laid in steps 100-300 mm on the selected type circuit (the coil, double coil, helix). The most common way of fixing - fixing to the reinforcement mesh with wire or plastic with clamp clips.

Also it used a special fixture, recessed in the sharp end of the insulation plate, and plastic panels with relief clamps. When using panels is first performed their laying, but saves time in fixing pipes - it decomposes in pattern as the unwinding of the bay with the advice.

Timur hot:

Each loop heat pipe begins and ends in the distribution manifold - without joints. Pipelines should not have breaks at the point of turning to 90⁰.

After laying the loop circuit connected to the collectors by means of threaded adapters, crosslinked polyethylene seamlessly folded to the desired angle by hand and is put into the collecting box.

Hydraulic tests - under existing regulations to check the system for leaks in it through a special equipment (pressure testing) is pressurized and a half times the working, must be free of the slightest leaks.

Concreting - after testing activities performed screed, the surface should be dry and clean, free of dust and dirt, if necessary, to remove debris use building a vacuum cleaner.

During filling pressure (3 bar) is maintained in the circuit at the time of casting and subsequent three days screed temperature must not fall below + 5⁰S.

It is desirable to protect the casting from drafts and avoid drying out during the set concrete grade strength.

Thermal tests - after the concrete has set (3-4 weeks) is carried out thermal test the water floor system begins with heating the coolant to 25⁰S, the working temperature conditions come gradually adding a day by 5⁰S. The thicker the layer of screed, the longer it takes for the system to output a stable mode.

Correctly assembled water underfloor heating system to the pipe XLPE can serve for decades, without requiring removal and replacement.

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