One pipe system

[Liam]

Hello Everyone,

i dont know if am setting myself up here but as a young lad, when I come across a really old system it can throw me at times. Basically I wondering if there is a way I can tell if the system Is one pipe. All the heating pipes are under the floor, so I obviously can't check them. Bear in mind I am only doing a initial survey, so it's unlikely I will be getting boards up and stuff. Can you tell from looking at the boiler?

Thanks

 

[Chalked]

There are a few clues. But you can still get caught out.

age of property ( have a good look if it's pre 75 ish)
look at the pipework off the boiler. If the flow heads one direction, eg upwards into ceiling and the return appears from the floor it's quite likely.
top and bottom opposite ends connected on rads on a domestic system ( not always the case though)
obvious ones like surface pipework, (you can see the flow & return connected)
radiators all placed on outside walls, in a ring main set up.( this might seem odd, but it was the best way to pipe up a one pipe system. )

others will ill have some more tips. Or disagree with mine!:45:

 

[AWheating]

one pipe systems are fine, leave them in.