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© Stroma Certification Ltd Boiler Identification CPD Guide v1.1 Page 1 of 22

Stroma Certification Ltd

CPD Assessment Guide: Boiler Identification

This Guide explains boiler identification and use of PCDF according to the RdSAP software. There is a

question section at the end of the Guide for you to complete in order to pass this section of the CPD.

If you have any questions regarding boiler identification that are not covered in this Guide, please email

[email protected] with details of your enquiry. Alternatively, please call Stroma Certification on

0845 621 11 11.

Date: 24 October 2014

Revision: v1.1

mailto:[email protected]


Contents

Regular Boilers ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Combi Boilers .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Condensing Boilers ......................................................................................................................................... 7

CPSU – Combined Power and Storage Units ............................................................................................. 10

Electric Central Heating ................................................................................................................................ 10

Types of Electric Boiler ................................................................................................................................. 11

Heating systems: Boiler Identification ........................................................................................................ 12

The PCDF Method .......................................................................................................................................... 13

SAP Table Data Entry Method ...................................................................................................................... 14

Boiler Identification Question Sheet ............................................................................................................ 18


One area of audit failure is when a boiler is incorrectly identified. This can lead to a variance in the rating

and/or the recommendations on the EPC. If the rating varies by more than 5 SAP points or if there is an

incorrect recommendation (or lack of correct recommendation), then the EPC will fail for technical reasons

and you will need to relodge the report. It is therefore vital that you identify the boiler correctly.

This document will focus on the heating systems that are identifiable via the PCDF database and via the

SAP table method. It will also focus on the traditional heating systems involving a boiler. Any heating system

that can ONLY be inputted via the SAP table method is not included. The rarer systems are also not

covered. You should consult the RdSAP Methodology Manual, located in the Stroma members area, for a

more detailed breakdown of all heating systems available in RdSAP.

Let’s begin by looking at the type of boiler in a domestic property. Boilers are split into two types of system:

Regular/standard boilers (sometimes called system boilers)

Combi boilers

Regular Boilers

If you assess a property with a regular boiler (this is a boiler that does space heating only). The water heating should be provided by the main system, even if the tank has an immersion heater. This is assumed to heat the water in summer and should not be selected.

A regular boiler can be described and identified as:

The boiler heats the water that flows around the heating and hot water systems.

The water used for heating is fed from a header or feed tank usually found in the loft.

As the water flows around the heating system, it expands. An expansion pipe is fitted to the heating system to discharge any build up in pressure in the system to the header tank.

More modern sealed systems do not require the feed/expansion tank as they have expansion vessels instead.

Hot water

cylinder

Conventional

boiler:

Oil or gas fired

Hot water

Cold water

storage

Heating

header tank

Control

valve

Radiators


Key ways to identify a regular boiler:

Usually only 3 pipes (gas supply, flow and return)

Hot water tank usually present

Simple boiler design – few controls on boiler

Data Entry

You should always record the heating system via the PCDF method if you can identify the make and model of the boiler. A photograph should be taken to prove this. If you cannot locate the boiler in the PCDF or the boiler has no make and/or model qualifier then you should use the SAP table data entry method.

Regular Boiler with no cylinder located As mentioned above, you would typically find this type of boiler in conjunction with a hot water cylinder. From time to time, you may find that you cannot locate the cylinder. In this case please enter the following:

Water Heating type – From Main Heating System

Cylinder Size – No Access


Your site notes should back this up (i.e. a relevant note or photo showing suspected location). If you can be sure that the cylinder has been removed, then you need to do the following in the RSAP+ software:

Water Heating Type – No Water Heating Present

You will need to document this adequately in your site notes – i.e. annotated photo showing space where cylinder should be with disconnected pipework.


Combi Boilers

Combi (combination) boilers are standalone boilers that provide space and water heating and will not be

connected to a cylinder for storing hot water. Below is a basic diagram of a combi boiler within a heating

system.

A combi system

Identification

Combination boilers will have 5 or more pipes emanating from the bottom of the boiler;

o Heating flow (from boiler to radiators)

o Heating return (radiators back to boiler)

o Gas / oil supply

o Mains cold water

o Hot water supply (from boiler to taps)

The boiler will fire when you turn the hot water tap on

Lack of a hot water tank or cylinder

Combination boilers tend to have fan-assisted flues

Combi

Domestic hot water

Central heating flow

Central heating

return Mains cold water


Examples

Data Entry

You should always record the heating system via the PCDF method if you can identify the make and model of the boiler. A photograph should be taken to prove this. If you cannot locate the boiler in the PCDF or the boiler has no make and/or model qualifier then you should use the SAP Table data entry method.

Condensing Boilers

These are more efficient/more modern versions of the two standard types of boiler. There are:

Condensing combi boilers; and

Condensing regular boilers

They are identified by the presence of a white or grey plastic pipe that carries the liquid condensate from the

boiler to a drain or soak away.


Examples

Condensing combi with white pipe Condensate pipe on exterior of property

Data Entry

You should always record the heating system via the PCDF method if you can identify the make and model of the boiler. A photograph should be taken to prove this. If you cannot locate the boiler in the PCDF or the boiler has no make and/or model qualifier then you should use the SAP table data entry method. Back Boiler

Another common type of heating system uses a back boiler for heat and water heat generation.

Back boilers can be fuelled by many fuel types. They are normally located behind a fire – hence the name

‘back boiler.’

They are always standard boilers connected to a cylinder, or there will be a multipoint water heater

elsewhere in the property.

A clue to their location is that the programmer is normally located on the chimney breast, next to the fire

which contains the back boiler.

It is possible to install a modern condensing back boiler, but they are difficult to upgrade due to their location.

Instead of upgrading the back boiler, the boiler is normally relocated and a standard or combi condensing

boiler is installed. Therefore back boilers are becoming rarer as time goes on.

The key to identification is locating the boiler itself. It is likely that that a boiler won’t be immediately found

within the property, but there will be a gas fire with radiators present. The boiler will be hidden behind the fire

making the exact make and model difficult to ascertain. Indeed, it becomes very difficult to take photographic

evidence of the make and model as the identification panel is often difficult to access.


If it can be identified by a make and model identification plate/panel/label, then the DEA should enter the

boiler via the PCDF method. In the likely event, the DEA should use the SAP table data entry method

(known as the ‘Alternative Method’ in the RdSAP manual).

Back boilers normally have an open flue but some can have a fan flue (more modern back boilers). Evidence

will need to be provided to show the fan flue.

Most back boilers are therefore entered as below.

If a back boiler behind a fire has been identified, either via the PCDF or SAP table data entry method, it is

essential that the fire itself is also entered as a secondary heating system. If it isn’t entered, the EPC audit

will fail as the EPC will have no secondary heating included.

This is a common failure point.

Examples

A back boiler being maintained (fire removed) A typical fire (pre-1980 with open flue) with

back boiler


CPSU – Combined Power and Storage Units

Mains gas or LPG CPSU non condensing

Mains gas or LPG CPSU condensing

Electric CPSU This appliance incorporates the provision of space heating and hot water. The hot water store should be at least 70L and integral to the appliance.

Examples

Key ways to identify a CPSU:

The appliance is larger than a conventional boiler and floor mounted

There will be no separate hot water tank

Electric CPSUs are similar to gas CPSUs – it must have at least 270l of water storage o Otherwise it should be classed as an electric water storage boiler

All units are quite large, around 1.8m tall and usually found in a ventilated internal cupboard. If a CPSU is selected in the software it is not necessary to include the cylinder details as this information is assumed by RdSAP. In the water heating section of the software select ‘from main system’ and ‘no cylinder.’

Electric Central Heating

Electric central heating can be found in several different forms. They are not normally found on the PCDF but there are certain systems are on the database, so this should be consulted first before using the SAP data entry method.

Gas CPSU


Types of Electric Boiler

Electric direct acting boiler This boiler type is increasing in popularity, particularly in modern flat developments. The unit is a narrow device about 1 metre long. It can provide wet central heating and hot water if connected to a hot water tank. The units are usually found attached to the wall in a cupboard with the hot water tank. They can be fitted in properties with peak or dual rate tariffs but they are not considered to be storage systems as they do not fully utilise the off peak rate. Common examples of an electric direct acting boiler are the Heatrae Sadia Amptec and Trianco Aztec Classic. Key ways to identify an electric direct acting boiler:

Attached to a pipe in a cupboard (airing cupboard)

Normally next to the water cylinder

It is about 1m tall

Electric CPSU and electric storage boiler These look similar but the key distinctions are as follows:

An electric CPSU will have a storage capacity of at least 270L and will be around 1.8m tall

An electric storage boiler will have less than 270L of water storage and will be smaller


Examples

Electric dry core storage boiler This works in a similar way to an electric storage heater, using off peak electricity to heat bricks inside the boiler. Heat from the bricks is blown onto an air-to-water heat exchanger to provide space and water heating.

Heating systems: Boiler Identification

We have now covered the main type of heating systems. We will now cover the two methods of entering these into the software:

Via the PCDF database

Via a generic description using the SAP table data entry

Incorrect boiler identification is a major audit failure point. Over 40% of incorrect boiler identification

results in audit failure. The errors which are identified under the boiler identification tab are:

The incorrect boiler has been entered onto the software according to the evidence provided

We have been unable to verify the make and model of the boiler due to insufficient evidence of the

boiler ID plate (blurred photographs or none at all)

The DEA has provided no photos of the boiler identifying features to allow the auditor to enter a

generic model into the software.

There are two methods of entering in a boiler:

Via the PCDF database – if the make and model are known and the exact boiler appears in the

database

Via the SAP table data entry method – if the boiler isn’t in the PCDF or cannot be identified

Electric CPSU Electric Storage Boiler


The PCDF Method

The PCDF database is a large and ever-expanding database of heating systems. It contains many of the

boilers found whilst performing an EPC survey.

It is important to select the correct boiler from the PCDF database. If you cannot find the exact boiler, or you

can only find a similar boiler, you should use the SAP table method (see later).

Selecting the wrong option from the list can result in:

The boiler type can change, i.e. from a regular to a combi boiler

The heating fuel can be wrongly selected

The efficiency of the boiler can be incorrect

Any of the above errors could result in an audit failing as the rating and/or recommendations could change.

Example – Vaillant Ecotec Plus 618

An example of a boiler ID. Collecting evidence such as this will help massively – entry of the boiler will be

much easier to do using the PCDF. Evidence like this will make verification of the boiler much easier for an

auditor.


In the above example, the EcoTEC plus 618 is present in the PCDF; therefore the SAP tables should NOT

be used.

The PCDF search facility will sometimes bring up different results depending on which words are used from

a boiler’s make and model. It is therefore worth searching using the make, then the model, or just the model

and identifier number.

The data following a search will not necessarily be in alphabetical order so it may be easier to find the make

and model (i.e. EcoTec Plus) by selecting an example and then changing the model qualifier using the drop

down on the main screen.

It is a requirement to evidence the main heating system when it has been entered, and rather than just taking

a picture of the system from a distance it is good practise to get evidence of the boiler ID plate, or anything

on the boiler, which specifies the make, model, and qualifier. This helps hugely with the audit process and

simplifies things for the auditor.

SAP Table Data Entry Method

Wherever possible, a boiler should be entered via the correct make and model description found on the

PCDF.

If this isn’t possible (i.e. the heating type isn’t in the database, or the exact model isn’t available), then the

DEA must use the SAP table data entry method by identifying the properties of the heating system.

SAP table data entry involves selecting the correct descriptions of the heating system/boiler. For example,

this can involve identifying the age or type of heating system, where a boiler is mounted, and the fuel and

flue type.

Sometimes it is easier to find the exact

model number/qualifier, by selecting a

version of the boiler from the PCDF

and then selecting the model number

using the drop down on the main

heating page.


Below is an example SAP table data entry of a Vaillant ecoTEC plus 613. This wasn’t available in the PCDF

so the SAP method was used.

Evidence Required

The DEA should be taking a good level of photography to allow the auditor to identify all features listed in the

SAP Table:

Overall boiler photo, showing mounting and type of boiler (and age, to an extent)

Pipework below the boiler, where possible

Flue photo and, if possible, showing the white condensate pipe


It is important to note that whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with using the SAP table method the

default values for each heating system are based upon assumed efficiency ratings. These may not reflect

the actual efficiencies of the heating system or boiler. It is therefore preferable to use the PCDF wherever

possible to ensure accurate ratings on the EPC.

Mis-identification or non-use of the PCDF, where it was possible to use, will contribute to inaccuracy

in the report and could result in audit failure.

Summary - Let’s recap how to identify the different types of boiler:

Regular boiler

A simple boiler design with very few controls present on the boiler; there are usually only three pipes present

on the boiler and a hot water cylinder is also usually present.

Combination boiler

More controls on the front of the boiler, often a pressure gauge is also present. There are a lot more pipes

present, usually between 5 and 7. There also is no hot water cylinder (in rare cases they can be).

Condensing boiler

Regular and combination boilers can both be condensing. The giveaway is an extra pipe coming from the

boiler (plastic condensate pipe). Also, the flue will be a fan assisted one, and is usually plastic.


Regular Combination Condensing (combination)

Back boiler

Harder to locate than a normal boiler. Found behind a fire. They are much more difficult to identify and are

normally entered via the SAP table data entry method.

Electric boilers

Various types of boiler exist. Mains gas is unlikely to be supplied to the property. Boilers are normally located

in cupboards and won’t normally be available on the PCDF. Therefore SAP table entry is normally required.

PCDF vs SAP table data entry method

Wherever possible, a boiler should be entered via the correct make and model description found on

the PCDF.

If this isn’t possible (i.e. the heating type isn’t in the database, or the exact model isn’t available) then

the DEA must use the SAP table entry method by identifying the properties of the heating system.

If you ever have any doubts over boilers, you should not just choose the closest match. Support is always

available through the usual channels should you need a second opinion or guidance.


Boiler Identification Question Sheet

Now that you have read and digested the CPD provided due to the failed audit, you are now required to

complete this sheet. Below are a set of questions relating to identifying boilers and the associated entry into

the RdSAP software. Each question is multiple choice with the option of two, three or four answers. You

must answer each question correctly to pass this section of the CPD.

Your questions will be selected randomly from our bank relating to boiler identification, and generated below

for you to complete and return to us.

1. Can you identify the correct boiler from the picture below?

a) Combination boiler

b) Regular condensing boiler

c) Regular boiler

d) Condensing combination boiler





c) Regular boiler





c) Regular boiler






c) Regular boiler


5. If the only details you have on a boiler are a Worcester Greenstar, should you use this information

to make an entry into the software using PCDF or SAP tables?

a) PCDF – details known

b) SAP – generic worst case scenario boilers

6. If the pipework running from the boiler is not visible as it has been boarded over to improve

aesthetics, but you have identified the boiler is a combination due to it firing up when hot water is

run, how would you identify whether it is condensing or not?

a) Fan assisted flue with condensate pipe leading to the external drain

b) Enter combination only as a worst case scenario

c) The boiler is fairly new so assume condensing

d) Pressure gauge present on the front of the boiler


7. If you are unsure as to what the boiler is as the pipework is blocked off and there is no boiler ID

plate present, and you turned a hot water tap and heard the boiler fire up, what boiler type have

you just identified?

a) Combination

b) Regular

c) CPSU

d) Heat pump

8. If you cannot find a boiler anywhere in the property and you see water pipes coming from a gas

fire, then on further inspection you find controls behind the plate on the gas fire, what have you

just identified?

a) CPSU

b) Combination boiler

c) Range cooker

d) Back boiler

9. What is the following system?

a) Range cooker

b) Back boiler

c) CPSU

d) Combination boiler


10. For audit purposes, a picture of the primary heating system is an absolute must. What else can

you, as the assessor, evidence to make the data entry and audit process easier?

a) Nothing because it is not listed as a requirement

b) Pipework, manual and boiler ID plate

c) A picture of the manufacturer’s logo on the boiler

11. If you know the GC number of a boiler what should you attempt to do?

a) Enter the system in sap tables

b) Attempt to enter the system in PCDF tables first

Documents

CPD Assessment Guide: Boiler Identification - Stromafiles.stroma.com/members/cpd/CPD Assessment Guide - Boiler... · CPD Assessment Guide: Boiler Identification ... Boilers are split