Page 527 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 7 Central heating systems

3 UNDERSTAND THE

DECOMMISSIONING

REQUIREMENTS OF CENTRAL

HEATING SYSTEMS AND THEIR

COMPONENTS

The decommissioning of central heating systems follows much the same
process as with other systems we have looked at. There are a number of
scenarios where systems would need to be decommissioned:

l where the system is being completely stripped out prior to a new system
installation or where the building is being demolished
l where the boiler is being replaced and the F and E cistern is being taken out
l where the system is being added to or altered
l where system components such as radiators are being permanently taken out
l general maintenance activities, such as:
l a pump replacement
l a radiator replacement
l replacement of valves and other controls.

Decommissioning systems

There are two types of decommissioning of heating system:
1 permanent decommissioning is when a system is being taken out of service,
completely dismantled and stripped out of the property
2 temporary decommissioning takes place when the system is being worked
on for a short period of time, such as replacing the boiler, the pump or a
radiator.

Preparing for decommissioning
When preparing to decommission central heating systems, always remember to:

l keep the customer and/or other trades informed of the work being carried
out, i.e. when the system is being isolated and the expected length of time it
will be out of service
l ensure that any services, such as electricity, gas, etc., are safely isolated and
pipework capped
l use warning notices, such as ‘do not use’ or ‘system drained’ on any taps,
valves, appliances, electrical components, etc.
l if possible, make alternative heating methods, such as warm air heaters and
fans, available to the customer.

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