What is BS 6880-3 –Low temperature hot water heating systems about?
The object of providing heating facilities in buildings is to provide (during periods when heating is appropriate) thermal conditions under which people can live in comfort and work safely and efficiently, and also to contribute to the protection of the building fabric and its contents from deleterious effects of cold weather.
BS 6880 is a series of British Standards that discusses low temperature hot water heating systems, with output greater than 45 kW. The main objective of the BS 6880 series is to provide the code of practice for low temperature hot water heating systems to ensure they safe and reliable for use.
BS 6880-3 is the third part of the BS 6880 series that gives recommendations regarding the work involved in installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of low temperature hot water (see 1.2.1) heating systems of output greater than 45 kW, open vented or sealed. BS 6880-3 is primarily intended for use by building owners, building managers, installers and associated professionals.
Note: BS 6880-3 is not intended to serve as a detailed design guide.
Who is BS 6880-3 - Low temperature hot water heating systems for?
BS 6880-3 on code of practice for low temperature hot water heating systems is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of water heating equipment
- Manufacturers of low temperature hot water heating systems
- Anyone involved in installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of low temperature hot water heating systems
- Product designers
- Quality control and testing authorities
- Regulatory bodies
- Certification bodies
Why should you use BS 6880-3 - Low temperature hot water heating systems?
Proper functioning of hot water heating systems is extremely important, especially for those living in low temperatures. To ensure incidents of improper heating and leakages are minimized, these water heating systems must be inspected and tested keeping in mind best industry practices.
BS 6880-3 provides guidance on the necessary preliminary checks and static testing of mechanical and electrical systems to be carried out following a systematic and documented procedure.
BS 6880-3 also provides operational and maintenance requirements that takes into account adequate safety considerations for the reliable and safe use of water heating systems.
Economic operation of an installation after it has been set to work will be affected by the standard of maintenance it receives and/or the skill and judgement of the operators where the system is under manual control. Keeping this in mind, BS 6880-3 provides reference standards that ensure periodic collection of data on performance and operating costs, including fuel and energy consumption, so that deterioration in performance and increases in cost may be seen at an early stage and measures taken to identify and rectify the causes.
Inspection, commissioning and testing guidance is also covered in BS 6880-3 that ensure your low temperature hot water heating systems are safe, reliable and effective at the point of use.
Thus, by complying with BS 6880-3 you can ensure smooth and safe working of hot water heating systems. As a result, incidents of product failures, accidents and damage to overall product and equipment can be avoided when in use.