Unvented cylinder in living room

[nilsm]

Hi there,

we're looking to upgrade our hot water system [with the ultimate aim of improving our upstairs shower].

A plumber came round and suggested we replace our existing hot water cylinder with an unvented cylinder. The cylinder is installed in an airing cupboard in the living room. The plan seems to be to run the emergency outlet for the unvented cylinder along the skirting board and out to the balcony.

A neighbour told us that it's illegal to run the outlet in this way. Are they right? Or does the plumber know what he's doing? (he seems very knowledgable generally).

Cheers - Nils

 

[Duran]

Not sure on how your balcony is situated, but you can discharge onto a flat roof without a gutter - if that's what the plumber was getting at.

 

[AWheating]

the discharge must meet the building regs (part g3) it can not terminate in an unsafe location, onto a roof that cant take the temps, into a pipe or gutter that cant take the temps, onto a surface that could freeze and cause a risk etc....... i would think a balcony floor is not suitable unless into a drain.

 

[nilsm]

Thank you for your input! That's good to know about the balcony (there is no flat roof).

I take it there are no problems routing the actual discharge pipe around the skirting board, where it would be in plain view?

I would never have thought it would be quite so complicated to get a decent shower in our flat

 

[AWheating]

for me it would need a covering like a skirt boxing to stop it being touched when 100 degree hot water was flowing down it. and to make it look better.
it also needs to have a fall so it could no be routed level.

 

[kirkgas]

Re the discharge going onto the balcony, think about the scenario of many litres of very hot water being discharged quickly onto the balcony, where would it go? Some balconies have a small,drain to let surface water and cleaning water get away, however it's unlikely this would get the water away quick enough from the cylinder so there's a chance of a pool of very hot water being there, too dangerous, other balconies are flat and the surface water runs off the edge, so,again think of many litres of near boiling water running over the edge of the balcony to below, again too dangerous

 

[nilsm]

Thanks for everybody's input, this does not sound like a feasible idea anymore, it's been really helpful to hear your perspectives.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

I would like to know more about the upstairs shower? what's the problem with it?

Could a correctly installed shower pump be a better and cheaper solution?

 

[Gray0689]

Have you considered an indirect thermal store? This would provide your mains pressure hot water without having to go to quite the same lengths for the discharge pipework. They can be manufactured as a rectangular unit to fit perfectly in your cupboard, meaning they take up less space and doesn't take up all the cupboard space.

You will be offering to sell him one soon I guess

 

[lame plumber]

decent plumber would also lift few boards and hide a blow off pipe