HELP! What happens if we introduce sudden 80degree water in a radiator..

[sukhjeetgrewal]

Hi all ,
I'm working on boiler ramp up timings.. I was just curious that what are the things that can happen if we suddenly introduce 80C water in home radiators.
I mean is it dangerous for radiators, do radiator manufacturers warn about it :93:

what about its noise levels or expansion of pipes

Please let me know if any kind of problem comes to your mind regarding this..

kind ragards

Gary

 

[Howsie]

They'll get hot.

 

[lame plumber]

very very hot, toddlers stick to the rads

 

[Paulus]

You can heat your soup up on them. Good stuff.

 

[TomLane]

The power of google - [DLMURL]http://www.coverad.co.uk/legislation.htm[/DLMURL]

 

[R1CKY]

I once re-fitted a radiator that had been sat outside in minus temperatures all day, to a system that had been running for an hour or two and was around 80 degrees, it made some horrible noises as I opened the valves, as if it the metal was rapidly expanding, but as far as I know it hasn't caused any damage!

 

[zzzjim]

Noises may be creep on the brackets / Pipes .

You may harm some spiders ?

What situation , old system installed a long time in copper , or new looking for an excuse to let go ,plastic bits all over place ?
( Steel holds up better to blow lamp at 800 deg C than copper ! )

 

[tamz]

The power of google - [DLMURL]http://www.coverad.co.uk/legislation.htm[/DLMURL]

Only applies to hospitals, care homes etc which usually have lst rads fitted as std.

 

[TomLane]

Only applies to hospitals, care homes etc which usually have lst rads fitted as std.

Agreed, but was more to highlight the point of the info contained in the article as a quick read & I found it quite informative & interesting.

"The publication shows that with a water temperature of 70°C, people will receive partial thickness skin burns in approximately 7/10ths of a second and full thickness burns in 10 seconds. The issue is therefore a serious one and cannot be ignored.

Many hot water radiators in use today have been sized to operate with a flow water temperature of 80°C to the radiator and a 70°C return, providing indoor air temperatures ranging from 19°C to 28°C. The higher the indoor temperature requirement the larger the radiator needs to be. Even with thermostatic radiator valves fitted, dangerously high surface temperatures are still possible.

The principle of condensing boilers should not be misunderstood. They have the capability to produce high flow water temperatures but depend upon low water temperatures to achieve fuel savings. Typical temperature control for a condensing boiler operating with large radiators sized for 50°C flow, 30°C return and an indoor temperature of 20°C : "

 

[tamz]

It is not a problem even for kids. The pain kicks in too much to bear before any damage is done. A bit like holding your kids hands in front of an open fire until they cry. It may seem cruel but they will never go near it again.
Hospitals and places for the elderly and infirm are different. They are more concerned about someone falling against it and being unable to move away.
A bigger risk that has only recently been addressed in England is TMV's on baths. Many people, usually kids suffered horrific burns from falling into a bath of 60º + water. That literally lifts the skin off you.

 

[TomLane]

It is not a problem even for kids. The pain kicks in too much to bear before any damage is done. A bit like holding your kids hands in front of an open fire until they cry. It may seem cruel but they will never go near it again.
Hospitals and places for the elderly and infirm are different. They are more concerned about someone falling against it and being unable to move away.
A bigger risk that has only recently been addressed in England is TMV's on baths. Many people, usually kids suffered horrific burns from falling into a bath of 60º + water. That literally lifts the skin off you.

True, I guess that's what they're saying here with a domestic boiler;

"Typical temperature control for a condensing boiler operating with large radiators sized for 50°C flow, 30°C return and an indoor temperature of 20°C :"

 

[zzzjim]

Just don't drop your mobile between bed and radiator that hot and wonder why it don't work or worst !

 

[tamz]

True, I guess that's what they're saying here with a domestic boiler;

"Typical temperature control for a condensing boiler operating with large radiators sized for 50°C flow, 30°C return and an indoor temperature of 20°C :"

I've never done any work in these type places for a good few years now but i'd bet they still spec lst rads even with a condensing boiler. Maybe John would know.

 

[buckley plumb]

vaillants and glowworms come set at 75 you have to change in menu to set at 80 .boiler manufacturers could set to 48 but we would all have cold houses

 

[Dotty]

To be honest, I only worry when I'm dealing with MTHW, (90-120degC at 3bar). That really does blister you.

All the care and respite homes I've been in, and wards for the elderly and children, the radiators have decorative covers to prevent physical contact.

Which are a pain if the trv heads are left on!

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

It is not a problem even for kids. The pain kicks in too much to bear before any damage is done. A bit like holding your kids hands in front of an open fire until they cry.

I don't think this is true if they are very young. I can think of some examples:
There was a reported case in a nursery which burnt hands on rads that were too hot - it could have been a baby i can't remember - but the child's reaction to the heat was not fast at that age.

Also in my own house I usually have the rads water at somewhere between 40-50C but occasionally higher (and then it quickly feels tropical here). My preschool kids have have received burns even from only touching the rads for a moment.

 

[Kenche]

If the rads are old then I wouldn't recommend 80c
water temp as when the rads expand the expansion could open up pin holes within the rads.
Also if you have youngsters then I wouldn't recommend 80c.
You generally don't need more than 70c
in a heating circuit if the system is correctly balanced.