PHPI chats to Mike Oxley, Training Manager at Salamander Pumps to discover more about the company’s ‘TankBoost’ and the benefits of the company’s new Cat 5 version.
Q. TankBoost was launched to the market just over a year ago, how has the product been received in over the past 12 months?
TankBoost has been extremely well received by the market, our sales are exceeding expectations and feedback has been very positive, particularly on aesthetics and performance.
Q. Why did the company introduce TankBoost?
TankBoost is an exciting extension of our MainsBooster range, which has been developed to ensure multiple outlets receive sufficient water all at once.
It is the first product in the Salamander Pumps product range to deliver flow rates beyond 36 L/min, ensuring powerful showers, strong flowing taps, and quick toilet cistern replenishment, even when they are being used at the same time.
Q. What are the main features of the solution?
No matter the size of the household or the number of outlets running in the kitchen or bathroom, good water pressure and flow is a must have for homeowners.
TankBoost will deliver flow rates up to 80L/min and pressures up to 3.0 Bar, ideal for even the busiest homes where showers, taps, toilets and more are being used at the same time.
TankBoost has been designed to meet the water pressure and flow needs of domestic and light commercial installations, with four tank sizes available ranging from 100L to 450L, meaning solutions are available for properties of all sizes. Where a property has particularly high water demand, and space is not an issue, tanks can be linked with additional storage units to increase capacity.
Q. How does the CAT 5 version of TankBoost differ from the rest of the series?
Installers should use a water tank with suitable backflow protection when there’s a risk of contaminated water flowing back into the clean water supply, such as TankBoost CAT 5.
CAT 5 water tanks are suitable for commercial or industrial properties which may include laboratories, chemical cleaners, healthcare premises, abattoirs and animal grooming parlours. These carry the highest risk level of the most serious health hazard because of the presence of raw sewage or hazardous waste.
Q. Can you provide a little more explanation about backflow and the Fluid Category 5 regulation?
Backflow protection plays a critical role in keeping drinking water safe. It acts as a one-way value in plumbing systems, ensuring that water only flows in one direction.
Backflow refers to the undesirable reversal of water flow within a plumbing system, the main cause being back siphonage or back pressure. This reversal can allow contaminated water or substances to flow back into the mains water supply, posing risks to public health and safety.
A CAT 5 backflow risk poses a serious health hazard due to its high concentration of pathogenic organisms, radioactive elements, or extremely toxic substances.
Q. What is a Type AB air gap?
TankBoost Cat 5 features an air gap between the inlet and outlet, preventing any backflow of water from the tank or cistern into the mains water supply, making it suitable for commercial use. These air gaps are Type AB which satisfies the applicable requirements of Water Regulations for Category 5 systems.
Q. Can you use TankBoost to boost both hot and cold water?
TankBoost has been designed for cold water only, it can however be used to increase cold water flow rates and pressure to any mains hot water system such as unvented cylinders and combi boilers.
Q. What are the pipework connections on TankBoost?
All TankBoost units have a ½” brass male inlet connection and 1” female outlet. It is recommended to have 28mm diameter pipework from the TankBoost so as not to restrict the potential flow rates from the unit. This can then be reduced to 22mm or 15mm pipework closer to the outlets.
