The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is reissuing its ‘installer guide to condensate discharge pipe installation’. This comes following a warning from the Met Office that there is ‘an increased likelihood of cold weather becoming established across all of the UK. This would bring an enhanced risk of snow and widespread frost almost anywhere across the UK’ A Beast From The East 2.0.
In addition, HHIC is also reissuing its customer information booklet, which can be used by the engineer to explain the risks and the remedial action required and also what action customers can take should their condensate pipe freeze.
Stewart Clements, Director, HHIC, said “We are acutely aware that there are a significant proportion of installations that are not installed to current standards and manufacturer’s instructions. For example, the opportunity to connect to internal drain points such as a soil stack or sink waste has not been taken.
“Where it is not possible to connect the boiler condensate discharge pipe to an internal point, the HHIC guide details what action should be taken – such as external pipe insulation.
“In extreme weather conditions, external pipework carrying water is at risk of freezing – particularly when there is a high wind chill factor.
“As a result, HHIC has updated current industry guidance which assists engineers with both installation and assessment of current condensate discharge pipes, which they can and should review during any visit to the appliance such as a service, repair or replacing a heating system.
“In addition to this guidance and all other technical requirements for condensate discharge installation given, in the first instance the appliance manufacturers’ installation instructions, or BS 6798:2014 if referred to by the appliance manufacturers, should still be followed.
“We urge engineers to familiarise themselves with both the engineer and consumer guide in light of the Met Office warnings”
It is important to note that manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over a standard and should be adhered to, helping ensure correct appliance operation, and validity of any warranty.
You can find the installer guide here and consumer guide here.
