Page 480 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

Manufacturers provide a wide range of heights, from 300 mm high through to
900 mm, and lengths from 400 mm increasing by 100/200 mm increments
through to 3 m.
It is important that radiators are fitted according to the manufacturer’s
instructions if the best output performance is to be achieved. Outputs vary
from manufacturer to manufacturer.
There are three different styles of radiator, as follows.

1 Seamed top: this is a very common style of radiator that was for many years
the market leader. Top grilles and side panels are available for this radiator
style.
2 Compact: these have factory-fitted top grilles and side panels, making
them a more attractive radiator style. These are currently the most popular
radiator style available.
3 Rolled top: the least popular of all radiator styles. They are somewhat old-
fashioned looking, with exposed welded seams either side.

Hanging a radiator

1 Before hanging the radiator, you must decide how close you want it to be
to the wall. Radiator brackets have two options – near and far – therefore,
select the one that is best for the installation and the customer. Maximising
the space between the radiator and the wall increases convection.
2 Mark the centre of the radiator and the position of the radiator brackets.
3 Place a radiator bracket into position on the radiator and measure from
the bottom of the bracket to the bottom of the radiator. This is usually
(depending on the manufacturer) 50 mm. This is measurement A.
4 Mark the centre of the position of the radiator on the wall where the radiator
is to be hung.
5 Place the radiator against the wall on the centre line and mark the position
of the brackets on the wall. Using a spirit level, draw two vertical lines where
the brackets are to be fixed.
6 Radiators are best hung at 150 mm from the floor (depending on the skirting
board height) to allow air circulation through the fins, so add measurement
A to 150 mm and mark across the two bracket marks on the wall, using a
spirit level.
7 Radiator brackets can usually be hung either with the radiator close to the
wall, or with a larger gap. Decide which way the brackets are to be fixed,
then place the bracket against the marked position on the wall, making sure
that the bottom of the bracket is sitting on the bottom bracket mark. Mark
the fixing position.
8 For masonry walls: using a suitable masonry drill bit, drill the four bracket
holes (a 7 mm masonry drill bit and brown wall plugs are usually suitable).
Screw the brackets to the wall using 50 mm × no. 10 screws.
9 For timber-studded walls: use plasterboard fixings that are capable of
carrying the weight of the radiator plus the water inside.
10 Hang the radiator onto the brackets. Check that it is level using a spirit level
and that it is 150 mm from the finished floor level.

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