Radiators 4U: Handling, Installation, and Care
Introduction
Every Cast Iron radiator from Radiators 4U has been meticulously crafted to your specifications and pressure tested to ensure water tightness. We are committed to ensuring your delivery and installation process is as smooth as possible. Please read this information carefully and retain it for future reference. Mishandling, improper storage, or incorrect installation can lead to faults and leaks.
Maximum Operating Pressure: 2.5 bar (max. test pressure = 3.3 bar)
Neo Georgian Range Maximum Operating Pressure: 6 bar (max. test pressure = 7.8 bar)
Delivery
Always adhere to HSE guidelines for lifting heavy objects. Never attempt to lift heavy radiators alone. Ensure you use appropriate protective equipment.
Cast iron radiators are exceptionally heavy. Ensure you have adequate manpower for moving your radiators upon arrival. While on the pallet, the radiator is fully supported. Once removed from the pallet, it must be carried in an upright position (columns vertical). Carrying the radiator horizontally without support can strain the joints, potentially causing leaks. Avoid dragging the radiator, as the feet could be snapped off.
Tip: Insert strong pieces of wood between the sections to aid carrying.
Custom Finished Radiators: If you ordered a painted finish, minor marks from transit may occur. A colour-matched touch-up paint pot is provided for historical or metallic finishes. Painted finishes require only light dusting with a lint-free cloth; avoid harsh or abrasive chemicals.
Hand Polished Radiators: Our specialised hand polishing creates a handsome, bright cast iron surface, protected by lacquer. Occasional light dusting with a lint-free cloth is sufficient; avoid harsh or abrasive chemicals.
Extremely Important! System Water Treatment
Cast iron radiators are suitable for sealed or open vented heating systems only and must not be used on secondary HWS circuits.
Upon installation completion, the entire system must be thoroughly cleaned and flushed to remove debris and flux residues. If a chemical cleanser is used, flush it thoroughly from the system. Subsequently, dose the system with a high-quality water treatment to prevent corrosion. Always use a Buildcert approved inhibitor.
Radiators 4U recommends its Multipurpose Radiator Inhibitor & Protector for system water treatment, as it is fully compatible with our radiators.
System design, flushing, and dosing must comply with BS 5449:1990, BS EN 12828:2003, and BS 7593. Avoid artificially softened water in heating systems, as it can cause excessive corrosion. Failure to adhere to these requirements will void the product guarantee. Corrosion inhibitors must be used according to manufacturer instructions and recommendations, considering the specific metals within the system.
Bush/Valve Installation
A unique feature of cast iron radiators is that the top and bottom threads on one side are Left-Hand threaded. This means Left-Hand threaded bushes tighten in a counter-clockwise direction. The top air vent bush and the fitting below are Left-Hand threads (internal sub-thread is standard Right-Hand). Never force a bush into the radiator's thread; verify the orientation of both the bush and radiator threads.
The bushes on the opposite end of the radiator are Right-Hand threads (tighten in the usual clockwise direction).
When fitting a valve tail or air vent into a Left-Hand bush, use a flat-faced wrench to 'hold against' the bush and prevent it from unscrewing. Excessive jointing materials can crack the cast iron bush; use the correct amount of PTFE tape. Avoid contact between sealing compounds and bush gaskets. Tighten fittings firmly, but do not overtighten, as this could lead to component failure.
Reminder on Bushes: The male (external) large thread of each bush fitting on the air vent side is Left-Hand (tightens counter-clockwise). The internal sub-threads of these bushes are standard Right-Hand (screw valve tail/air vent clockwise). The radiator section and bush threads at the opposite end are both Right-Hand threads.
Valves
For trouble-free operation, always fit your TRV (Thermostatic Radiator Valve) onto the heating flow pipework. Fitting the TRV on the return flow can cause unsatisfactory operation and noisy operation (water hammer).
Balancing the System
Your heating engineer will be familiar with balancing radiators during system commissioning. Proper balancing ensures each radiator receives an adequate share of heated water. This is achieved by adjusting lock-shield valves: close valves on radiators near the pump and open valves on radiators further from the pump. This distributes heat evenly. Initially, open TRV/wheel-head valves fully, then use them for local room temperature control.
Wall Stay Installation
Wall stays are clamped between the rear radiator columns and screwed securely to the wall. The threaded rod should be cut to the appropriate length for final positioning.
Assembly/Breakdown Instructions for Cast Iron Radiators
Place radiator sections on a clean, firm, flat surface, ensuring machined faces and internal threads are clean. Each radiator section has Right-Hand female threaded connections on one side and Left-Hand female threaded connections on the other. Nipples have Left and Right Hand male threads on each end. For correct assembly, identify the orientation of connections on the radiator assemblies. Each section joint requires one nipple and one gasket. A joining tool is used internally to rotate and tighten the nipples.
Place a gasket on each nipple at its midpoint. Screw nipples half to one turn into the end of the radiator section, matching the section/nipple threads. Do not screw them in fully at this stage.
Important: Do not apply jointing pastes or tape (e.g., Boss White, PTFE, hemp) to gaskets, nipple threads, or the radiator.
Align the other radiator block with the nipples. Use the joining tool, ensuring its head aligns with the nipple. Insert the key from the open end of the waterway until it engages the nipple. Pull the section blocks together during initial tightening to ensure the nipple/section threads engage correctly.
Turn the joining tool to draw the radiator assemblies together. Rotate each nipple by one turn at this stage.
Gradually and evenly turn the nipples at the top and bottom of the radiator, keeping them parallel until the joints are fully closed. Tighten the joints firmly to compress the gaskets.
Finally, fit the bushes with gaskets (no jointing pastes), ensuring correct thread orientations, and tighten firmly.
Refer to the Help & Information Sheet for Cast Iron Radiator Handling, Installation and Care for further guidance.
Maximum Operating Pressure: 3 bar
Maximum Test Pressure: 3.9 bar
Always refer to HSE guidelines when lifting heavy objects. Do NOT attempt to lift heavy radiators alone. Always wear and use suitable protective equipment.
Important! Delivery & Heavy Goods Handling Information
Please consult HSE manual handling guidelines before lifting this product.
Delivery drivers can only stop at the closest accessible point on the road. They are not insured to enter properties and are prohibited from lifting heavy goods (over 25kg per person). It is your responsibility to arrange manpower to move radiators to a suitable storage area. Ensure someone inspects and signs for the delivery. If radiators or ancillaries are not inspected upon delivery, they must be signed for as 'unchecked'. Do not sign the delivery sheet if items are missing.
If possible, while the driver is present, unwrap and inspect your radiator(s) for correct items and fittings. In case of discrepancies or visible damage/faults, contact your retailer immediately. For deliveries signed for as 'unchecked', any issues must be reported to your supplier within 24 hours of receipt to record a claim.
Radiators or ancillaries cannot be returned due to suitability, damage, or faults once installed.
The following diagrams provide crucial handling information to prevent operational issues:
- DO NOT: Lift from one end.
- DO NOT: Carry radiators flat.
- Always: Lift in the centre.
- Always: Keep sections vertical.
Contact Information
Website: www.radiators4u.co.uk
Telephone Number: 02394 216 216
Sales: eq@radiators4u.co.uk
Customer Services: cs@radiators4u.co.uk
Address:
Radiators 4u
Unit 4 - Victory Trading Estate
Kiln Road
Portsmouth - PO3 5LP
