Underfloor heat combines safety and comfort

Underfloor heating has proved to be the ideal solution for the new Brunswick Beech Care centre on the outskirts of Newcastle. Built for the Dementia Car Partnership, this 2-storey building has its whole multi-function ground floor of nearly 600 m2, including toilets and hallways, heated by an Even-Heat system. John Lau of design consultant Humphrey & Partners of Killingworth, explains, ‘Full comfort conditions are assured, while the complete invisibility of the Even-Heat system combines safety with ease of use for everyone, including wheelchair users. Virtually all the wall and floor space is available for use. A solid-floor construction was used. During installation, loops of 17 mm cross-lined polyethylene pipework with integral oxygen diffusion barrier were laid above a layer of insulation to prevent downward heat transfer. Loop ends are terminated at discreetly located manifolds and connected to the flow and return of two gas-fired condensing boilers, each rated at 85 kW. After pressure testing, a final screed was applied, integrating the pipework into the floor surface and providing a smooth, even surface for the final floor finish. For control purposes, the system is divided into seven zones, each with its own Even-Heat Zonepack manifold station, which modulates the flow of warm water to the pipework loops in response to individual room thermostats.

Related links:

• www.even-heat.co.uk/