Manifold plumbing is ideal for both water supplies and heating systems where simple distribution using minimal joints is desirable.

Manifolds can be used in conjunction with the Equator conduit system or with distribution pipes run in voids.

The manifolds can be close coupled to make up manifolds having any number of outlets. Manifolds can either be wall mounted by using the manifold brackets or housed within an inspection box. If the installer wishes to wall mount the manifolds by using proprietary brackets, these should be suitable for a 29mm diameter, and must be able to be positioned between the manifold ports (10mm max).

The valve heads on the valved manifold incorporate a twin disc label system. The top disc can be fitted with either the blue or red depending on the type of installation.

The valved manifolds are not suitable for low pressure gravity hot & cold water supply due to head loss characteristics.

Manifolds - Hot & cold systems

Manifold plumbing is also suited to non-domestic bathroom applications such as student accommodation, hotels and high rise buildings. Manifolds are particularly beneficial where the finishes make the run-outs from the service duct virtually non-accessible and where separate control of each terminal is desirable.

Figs 12 and 13 illustrate the plan and schematic layouts for a back to back shower installation using a manifold system:

Manifolds Heating systems

The plain manifolds, without valves, are best suited for central heating systems. A radial pipe configuration from a central location is typically designed using these manifolds, see Fig 7 details for a typical flat layout using this type of configuration.

The designer should consider whether air vents and drain taps located at the manifolds would be required. When the manifolds are located at low level on the same floor as the radiators, it is unusual to provide drain taps on each radiator circuit, providing the main circuits, boiler and water in each radiator can be emptied from suitably placed draincocks.

Conduit system

The Equator Conduit system provides an ideal solution for embedding pipework into concrete floors or into masonry walls, whilst still complying with Water Byelaw (UK) access requirements, this method of housing pipework is sometimes known as pipe-in-pipe.

Equator pipe should be fed into the conduit during installation of the conduit system. Junction boxes and terminal end boxes should be screw fixed to the structure at the correct level in respect of surface finishes, to prevent movement by other trades.

Conduit piping should be secured to the structure at regular intervals to minimise the risk of 'floating' during floor screeding. The conduit can be fixed by using a proprietary strap fixing band or by using straps formed from other materials.

Examples of how the conduit pipe system is utilised can be found in the 'connecting to radiators' section of the installation section. The conduit pipe is listed in nominal sizes, 15 & 22mm. Table 10 details diameters of conduit pipe and which Equator pipes fit within a particular size of conduit.

Table 10

Pipe-in-pipe

This application allows lengths of Equator pipe to be easily installed prior to second fix and subsequently withdrawn if required. This method of pipe installation also reduces the risk of hairline cracks appearing in the plastered wall finish due to pipe temperature changes. Pipe fittings should be located in junction boxes, terminal end boxes or elsewhere in an accessible position so that joints can be de - mounted to enable easy withdrawal of pipe from the conduit. Unused sections of 'live' piping should not be left connected to the system, as water stagnation and contamination will occur.

Conduit pipe routing next to central heating conduit

When running conduit for domestic hot and cold water piping adjacent to conduit for central heating piping, it is recommended that a separation distance of not less than 50mm is maintained to minimise heat transfer.

Running conduit in floor screed

When carrying out this type of installation it is unnecessary to provide any insulation to the pipe contained within the conduit as air trapped in the conduit acts as an insulator. Designers should check that this is acceptable with the Water Authority before installation.

Pipe removal from conduit systems

It is advisable to attach a 'draw cable' to the existing pipe end prior to withdrawal of existing pipework if inspection is necessary. This is particularly important where the pipe run incorporates bends. Using the Equator de-mounting tool remove the fitting from the pipe. Pipe can be removed via terminal end box by screwing a male BSP threaded pipe into the terminal connector socket and by pulling the complete pipe and terminal fitting out of the terminal end box.

Fig16

Fig17

Fig18

Installations using terminal end boxes and fittings

The following are suggested installation procedures for using these fittings:

1 Mark out the wall for chasing, pipes may be fed from the floor or on drops from the ceiling above.

2 Chase out the wall to a depth to suit the wall finishes thickness, allowing for adequate cover, see fig 15

3 Fix terminal end boxes in position by using the central screw hole or twin side screw holes.

4 Run conduit, slide PE-X pipe through and allow a suitable length to protrude from the terminal end box.

5 Connect PE-X pipe to the terminal connector, slide pipe back towards the terminal end box and screw in position, see fig 16.

6 Fix conduit to the structure.

7 Connect the other end of the pipe as required.

8 Use the terminal plug to prevent dirt ingress, and for pressure testing. In some buildings, particularly overseas, it is popular to feed sanitary appliances from high level hot and cold water mains using the conduit principle. The main hot and cold water branches would often be located in the ceiling void and drops to each bathroom would connect to a manifold point. Outgoing piping from the manifolds would run in conduit and would connect to a terminal connector inside a terminal end box, as shown in Fig 17.