Product Overview
Vertical Floor Mount Heated Towel Rails add a touch of class to any bathroom. These vertical rails come as a set of 3 and can be mounted in a straight line or staggered to provide a dramatic setting to compliment a free-standing bathtub.
The Vertical Floor Mount Heated Towel Rails are available in 700mm x 50mm, 800mm x 50mm, and 1000mm x 50mm sizes. They are constructed from high-quality polished 304 stainless steel. Units operate at 53W (total) at 240V with concealed cable and are SAA/CE certified and approved.
Installation & Illustration
The layout pattern for your heated floor tubes is flexible, allowing you to choose from options in this guide or create your own unique pattern to suit your bathroom. Whichever layout you choose, discuss it with your Builder, Tiler, Electrician, and Trades Person, as pre-planning and prep work are required from all.
- Choose Layout: Select the layout best suited for your bathroom design. Consult with your Builder, Tiler, Electrician, or Trades Person to ensure the desired location is feasible with electrical services and installation requirements.
- Run Conduit: Arrange for your electrician to run conduit in the wall and to the floor area where the heated floor tubes will be located. This must be done before any floor work or screeding. Ensure access to the conduit and the location/method for the wire connection box or junction box. If screeding is already complete, chasing of the floor area will be required for the wire connection box or junction box (100mm wide x 400mm length, 45-50mm depth from bottom of tile) and a channel (25-30mm) for the 20mm conduit from the wall to the junction box.
- Prepare for Screeding: Screeding can proceed for the floor area, but the conduit path and the location for the wire connection box or junction box should be left un-screeded. Leave an area approximately 100mm wide by 400mm long, and a path 25-30mm wide for the conduit to reach the junction box. The junction box should be located 45-50mm depth from where the bottom of the tiles will be.
Fig. 1 Description: This illustration shows the floor setup. A 20mm conduit carries the 240V mains power feed from the wall to a wire connection box or junction box situated in the floor, 45-50mm below the tile level. Cables, 20-30cm long, connect to the mains power and thread up through pre-drilled holes in the tiles to the vertical heated tubes. The diagram indicates dimensions for the conduit path (25-30mm) and junction box depth (45-50mm).
- Install Junction Box: The electrician installs the wire connection box or junction box in the floor area, ensuring it is a minimum of 25-30mm below the tile level. The mains power cable is run to this box.
- Prepare Cables: The electrician prepares three cables (20-30cm each) to connect to the mains power cable and thread them up from the wire connection box or junction box. These cables will pass through pre-drilled holes in the tiles where the vertical mounted tubes will be located.
- Tile Laying: The Tiler completes the tile laying for the main floor area and the specific tiles where heated tubes will be located. Each floor tube requires three 6mm diameter holes for mounting (refer to Fig. 2). An additional hole, 8mm-10mm diameter (refer to Fig. 1), is needed in the center of the mounting area for the electrical cord to feed up from the junction box through the tiled floor. The Tiler can pre-drill all holes. A total of 12 holes may be required for the installation area.
Fig. 2 Description: This figure shows a close-up of a heated tube mounting, illustrating the three holes (6mm diameter) required for securing each floor tube to the tile.
Fig. 3 Description: This figure shows the electrical connection for a heated tube, depicting the heater cord.
Plastic expanders (6mm) and ST5*45 mounting screws are provided. Depending on the design, these holes might be in a single tile for easier installation. If multiple tiles are used, ensure they are pre-marked and pre-drilled.
Alternative Installation Process
- Pre-mount Tubes to Tiles: An alternative is to pre-mount the floor heat tubes to the tiles before laying them. Feed the electrical heat tube wires through the three center holes of the pre-drilled mounting positions in the tiles. Use stove bolts, washers, and hex nuts (6mm) in a triangular pattern to securely fix the heated tubes to the tiles. Cover the stainless heat tubes with a soft covering to prevent scratches during assembly. This allows the fixed tubes and tile to be handled as one unit over the wire connection box or junction box.
- Electrician Connects Cable: The electrician runs the cable through conduit to the heated floor tube location, but does not connect to mains power yet. The electrician will determine whether to use a wire connection box or an electrical junction box and complete all wire connections.
- Prepare Underfloor Area: If additional screed is needed around the junction box, lay the tile and tubes gently on their side and prepare the underfloor area. Once the screed has set or cured, place the tile with heated tubes in position using adhesives. Ensure wires are secured and not pinched by tiles when lowered.
- Final Tiling: The Tiler completes any necessary screed touch-ups. Tiles, with connected heated tubes, are then placed in their final location using tile adhesives and grouting.
Connection and On/Off Management
Option 1: Thermostat Control
Heated tubes are not thermostatically controlled on their own but can be operated by a Dual Thermostat managing underfloor heating. One part of the thermostat senses floor temperature for underfloor heating control (time and temperature). The second part acts as an on/off timer for the heated tubes, turning them on and off as programmed, with a pre-set, non-adjustable temperature.
This requires pre-planning with your Electrician or Builder to run mains power to the thermostat point and ensure conduit/wiring is in place from the heated tubes to the thermostat location.
Option 2: Timer Control
Heated tubes can be connected to a timer, allowing them to start and stop heating at programmed times. The timer can be conveniently located on the wall next to a light switch or another accessible spot. Pre-planning with your Electrician or Builder is needed to run mains power to the installation point and ensure conduit/wiring is in place to the timer location.
Option 3: Light Switch Control
Heated tubes can be connected to a dedicated standard light switch. They will heat when the switch is turned on and stop when it's turned off. The switch can be located in a convenient spot within the room. Pre-planning with your Electrician or Builder is necessary to run mains power to the switch location and ensure conduit/wiring is in place from the heated tubes to the switch.
Cleaning
Wipe the heating tubes and base flanges periodically with a soft damp cloth. A mild detergent can be used for dirt and spots. Gently wipe and rinse with a soft damp cloth, then dry and polish with a dry microfiber cloth.
? NOTE: Do not use abrasive or corrosive cleaners on stainless heating tubes.
Safety Information
Please follow these basic safety instructions when using electric heated towel rail products. Keep this guide handy for future reference.
- This appliance warms and dries towels and gets hot. Young children or infirm persons should be supervised and kept away from the appliance while it is operating.
- The appliance may feel hotter during warmer periods due to ambient temperature changes, and the insulation effect of towels can slightly increase operating temperature.
- Install the appliance so that switches and controls cannot be touched by a person in the bath or shower.
- This appliance is ONLY for warming and drying towels; do not use it for any other purpose.
- Do not use this product to carry towels or articles that have been in contact with oil, petroleum-based products, or dry-cleaning fluids.
- Ensure the voltage complies with the rating label or instructions.
- Do not immerse the appliance in any liquid.
- Do not allow the power cord to contact the hot surface of the heating tubes while operating.
- If the product malfunctions or is damaged, it must be fixed or replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons.
*NOTE: Any electrical work must be carried out by a qualified licensed electrician.
Where Can Heated Towel Rails Be Installed?
The following describes safe installation zones in a bathroom, based on proximity to water sources.
Bathroom Zone Diagram Description: The diagram illustrates bathroom zones and their requirements for electrical installations. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower. Zone 1 is above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25m. Zone 2 extends 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above 2.25m. Outside Zone covers areas beyond Zone 2. The diagram also indicates required IP ratings for lighting in each zone.
| Zone | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the bath or shower. Any lighting used here must have a minimum rating of IP67 (protected against immersion in water). |
| Zone 1 | Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. A minimum rating of IP44 is required. |
| Zone 2 | The area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath or shower if over 2.25m. An IP rating of at least IP44 is required. |
| Outside Zone | Anywhere outside zones 0, 1 & 2. Where water jets are not to be used for cleaning purposes, the general rules of BS7671 apply. |
240V Heating Rails are safe for use in Zone 2 and the outside areas.
