Mainsflow

MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR

THE ADVANTAGES OF MAINSFLOW

Mainsflow Contractor is a thermal store system heated from a gas,
LPG, or oil fired boiler.
Suitable for use in both new build and existing property refurbishment.

	MAINS FED HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE HOME.
	NO TANKS IN THE LOFT.
	FLOW RATE MORE THAN DOUBLE MOST COMBINATION BOILERS.
	HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 55°C
	MAINS PRESSURE SHOWERING WITHOUT A PUMP.
	FILLS A BATH IN 3 MINUTES.

SCHEMATIC - MAINSFLOW CASED CONTRACTOR INDIRECT

SIMPLE TO INSTALL

The Mainsflow Contractor is exempt from G3 of the Building Regulations.

Mainsflow Contractor does not require expensive metal discharge pipe, just a standard 22mm plastic solvent-weld overflow.

Mainsflow Contractor does not have an air bubble or large expansion vessel to maintain - and no pressure/temperature relief valves to maintain either.
Only basic annual maintenance is required.

GREAT PERFORMANCE

Mainsflow Contractor can provide hot water at a controlled temperature of up to
55° C with flow rates of up to 30 litres per minute - filling a bath in less than 3 minutes.

Mainsflow Contractor is suitable for a wide range of properties from a single bathroom home to three bathroom applications - for larger requirements two units may be linked together.

THE BENEFITS OF MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR

Albion Mainsflow Contractor pressurised hot water systems really are mains pressure made simple and the benefits are being enjoyed by many specifiers, developers, installers and homeowners alike.

Specifiers and developers have the confidence that by approving the Mainsflow Contractor they have chosen a product backed with a proven track record in the industry.

Installers know the Albion Mainsflow Contractor one box package has all the necessary components included to ensure a first time correct installation that is easy and simple to install and maintain.

Home owners have peace of mind with the benefits of dry loft space, high performance showering and economical running costs providing plenty of hot water to keep pace with the rigours of modern lifestyles.

Mainsflow contractor is the right choice.

MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR SPECIFICATION

THE INCLUSIVE MAINS PRESSURE PACKAGE

MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR SPECIFICATION

Complete with all ancillary components to form the full mains pressure package. With only four plumbing connections, plus overflow - to the heating flow and return, cold mains in and hot water out - the unit is self commissioning and can be sited anywhere in the property.

DIRECT OR INDIRECT

DIRECT MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR has one coil and is heated directly by the boiler. The stored water within the Mainsflow is primary water flowing throughout the boiler and radiator circuits.

The store thermostat controls pump one and the boiler to heat the store. The boiler operates on maximum setting (choose a boiler with a flow minimum 80°C) and heats the store to 75°C. In turn the room thermostat will operate pump two and circulate hot water around the radiator circuit providing instant heat - a very useful benefit on cold winter mornings.

Mainsflow Direct units function in open vented primary systems. The feed and vent must be at the highest level in the system. They are not compatible with sealed primary systems.

Direct Mainsflow thermal store systems are designated Integrated Thermal Store.

INDIRECT MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR has two coils and is heated indirectly by the boiler. The stored water in the Mainsflow is static and separate from the primary water by virtue of the Superduty Multicoil heat exchanger mounted in the base of the Mainsflow Indirect store.

Compatible with both 'Y' plan and 'S' plan control systems Mainsflow Indirect Contractors may be used with boilers with or without pump over-run in traditional open vented or sealed primary systems. The static store remains open vented. The space heating is powered directly from the boiler.

Indirect Mainsflow thermal store systems may be sited anywhere in the property - it is not necessary to be at the highest point of the system.

Indirect Mainsflow thermal store systems are designated Hot Water Stores.

Hot Water Provision - Direct & Indirect

The provision of hot water in both Direct & Indirect Mainsflow Contractor is identical. Potable water controls are fitted to Mainsflow Cased Contractors providing hot water up to a safe maximum temperature of 55°C. Cold water from the mains passes through the heat exchanger, extracting heat from within the store delivering hot water via a blending valve to all hot outlets throughout the home.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCT

Select the product you require and click to view - or click below to access the following information

MODEL	APPLICATION (to BS6700)	CYLINDER SIZE	BOILER (x 1000BTU)	SIZING (kW)	WEIGHT (EMPTY)	WEIGHT (FULL)
MFT140 CON Specify DIRECT or INDIRECT MFT170 CON Specify DIRECT or INDIRECT MFT200 CON Specify DIRECT or INDIRECT MFT250 CON Specify DIRECT or INDIRECT	Single bath and en-suite shower 2/3 bed property. Two baths 2/3 bed property. Three bath 4 bed property. Three baths and two en-suite showers 5 bed property.	1240 x 560 1475 x 560 1690 x 560 1990 x 560	40 60 80 100	12 kW 18 kW 24 kW 30 kW	33kg 37kg 39kg 41kg	175kg 217kg 249kg 291kg

Boiler Sizing: The table suggests the minimum boiler sizes to acheive the required performance of each unit.
Size may include heating load with a minimum allowance of 10,000 btu (3kW) for hot water. Where smaller boilers are used recovery times/ performance will be reduced. The use of a modulating boiler may increase recovery times.

SYSTEM DESIGN

A well designed Mainsflow installation will provide superb quality hot water around the house and will help to reduce overall heating bills.

It is important to pay particular attention to the information relating to design, sizing and controls to get the best out of the system.

All units come with full installation and user guides.

As with all mains fed systems, it is obligatory to install certain components. The Albion Mainsflow Contractor is supplied complete with all the required controls for the delivery of safe hot water.

ORDERING THE MAINSFLOW UNITS

Cased Mainsflow units are sized according to their capacities. Refer to the sizing guide for property types.

APPROVALS & STANDARDS

Albion Mainsflow units are designed to comply with the WMA Specification for Thermal Store systems.

Mainsflow units now form part of the
National Home Energy Rating System (NHERS).

The systems are compatible with gas or oil fired boilers.
Albion Mainsflow units meet all flowrate and performance specifications
laid down by BS6700.

Mainsflow thermal store systems have been successfully used by many leading house builders, local authorities and housing associations.

HOW DOES MAINSFLOW COMPARE

It is worth comparing the hot water peformance of the Mainsflow system with that of other systems. For instance, Mainsflow will provide hotter water with much higher flow rates than a combination boiler. For example.

COMBINATION BOILER
OUTPUT	FLOW RATE
24 kW 28 kW 34 kW	9.5 lpm 11.5 lpm 13.5 lpm

MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR
MODEL	FLOW RATE
MFT140 MFT170 MFT200 MFT250	25 lpm 30 lpm 30 lpm 30 lpm

Typically combination boiler flow rates are based upon a temperature rise of
only 35°C.

Mainsflow will deliver hot water at up to 55°C.
Flow rates are dependant upon the capability of the incoming main.

The above performance figures for combination boilers do not relate to any specific boiler manufacturer, but are typical for the quoted outputs.

SYSTEM DESIGN - FLOW RATES

When choosing Mainsflow, installers and specifiers must take into account flow rates and pressure. The units are designed to deliver hot water at given flow rates and it is therefore important to ensure that the mains supply into the property is adequate, ie a minimum of 2 bar pressure at 20 litres per minute for single bathroom applications and appropriately for larger installations.

Flow rates must be controlled to reflect the performance of the unit e.g. MFT170 must be restricted to a maximum hot water flow of 30 litres per minute.

Likewise, pipework distribution within the property must be designed to suit the requirements of all terminal fittings such as shower mixers and taps.

MAINSFLOW CONTRACTOR SPECIFICATION

	Direct unit primary connections are 22mm on units up to and including 170 litres and 28mm on larger sizes.
	Indirect primary connections are 22mm across the range.
	Potable connections are 22mm on all units.
	All tappings are within a 90° arc to assist access on installation and maintenance.
	All Mainsflow Contractor units are boxed to ensure the product arrives in good condition.

Mainsflow units fit through a standard 600mm doorframe (575mm actual),
and require a footprint area of 650mm x 600mm

N.B. All diagrams are schematic only. It is the installer's responsibility to ensure any legal installation requirements are adhered to.

Reference should be made to the advice contained within this page and to the installation instructions. Albion cannot be held responsible if this advice is not complied with.

Pressure reducing valves should be fitted where incoming mains exceeds 3.5bar.
Take into account overnight increases in mains pressure.

In areas where CaCo2 is greater than 200 mg/l suitable dosing/scale eliminators should also be fitted. Before a softener is used the system must be driven for six minths to build up a protective copper patina. A bye-pass pipe can be fitted to allow this.

Potable controls must be fitted and all expansion allowed for.

All boiler manufactuers instructions must be complied with.

Due to our policy of continuous improvement, we reserve the right to alter product specifications without prior notice.

MULTI-FUEL OPTIONS

USING THERMAL STORE WITH SOLAR POWER, COOKING APPLIANCES
SOLID FUEL AND UNDERFLOOR APPLICATIONS.

With cold water storage out of the loft space and hot water performance that's hard to beat, it isn't surprising that customers seek to use these benefits with alternative fuels and space heating systems.

The Albion Mainsflow thermal store system is flexible and can be used in a number of dual-fuel and space heating options.

The schematics shown here demonstrate this flexible approach to heat source and heat emitter.

The schematics also provide a basis for other designs - as long as the appropriate balance between input and output is acheived alongside safe, controlled system design.

These products are supplied as Mainsflow Contractor specification, but not cased.

MAINSFLOW & MULTIFUEL SIZING & APPLICATION
MFM COMBI	SIZE*	APPLICATION
30 / 180 30 / 210 30 / 250	1580 X 450 1730 X 450 2220 X 450	Family houses, single bathroom properties with en-suite shower. Twin bathroom properties (2 standard bath or showers). 3 standard or 2 large baths.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM BOILER SIZES TO ACHEIVE REQUIRED PERFORMANCE OF THE FOLLOWING SIZES
MFM COMBI	1000 BTU's	KILOWATTS
30 / 180 30 / 210 30 /250	60 PLUS 80 PLUS 100 PLUS	18 kW PLUS 20 kW PLUS 30 kW PLUS

*excludes foam insulation - please add 80mm to diameter
The first 2 digits of the product code relate to flow rate in litres per minute.
The following 3 digits indicate capacity in litres.

IMPROVE YOUR HOT WATER FLOW USING ALBION MAINSFLOW
WITH YOUR EXISTING COMBI.

If you want mains pressure bath filling without the
need for any cold storage tanks, use the Albion
Mainsflow Indirect 120 Litre Combination Unit -
offering a 20ltr a minute flow rate. Larger sizes are available.
Note: For both systems the boiler remains on winter setting (heating on) and the heating is controlled by the room thermostat and zone valve, so that it can be turned off in the summer months. The hot water for bathing is controlled by the cylinder thermostat and zone valve, ensuring all year round operation.