Underfloor heating for raised access floors

An underfloor heating system designed for use with raised access floors has been developed by Osma. The system can also provide cooling. Injection-mounded brackets plug directly into the pedestal caps of all versions of Kingspan and Propaflor raised floors used in many commercial buildings. The brackets support RAF heating/cooling modules in such a way that their top surface is in direct contact with the underside of the galvanised floor panels when they have been fitted. The modules are 35 mm thick. When the brackets and heating modules are in place, continuous lengths of 15 mm polybutylene pipe are pushed into channels preformed in the top surface of the modules to form heating/cooling circuits. Finally, the tails of the pipe circuits are brought together and connected to a distribution manifold. With Part L2 of the 2002 Building Regulations limiting solar heat gain to 25 W/m2, the RAF system is said to be adequate for many projects. When cooling capacity must be increased locally, cassettes can be installed in the floor void. Sufficient space remains between the rows of heating modules to provide good access to services in the floor void. Modules and pipe can be repositioned if re-zoning or alteration of the system should be required.

Related links:

• www.wavin.co.uk

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