Water tank inspection

[Tom 1964]

Recently we were having a survey done for a potential rewire when I was asked what a control box did in KS1 boys toilets.

I explained it contained the timers for the hot water cylinders which are located in the loft spaces. (We have 6). ?

I was then asked if the cylinders were inspected as this is a legal requirement.

Has anybody come across this themselves and if so who do you use.

[Jomell]

We have our water expansion vessels inspected/tested every year (pressurised vessels).

[Tom 1964]

Any chance of putting me in the right direction of somebody able to do this?

[UnderPaid]

Our insurance company (Zurich) send someone out to test all pressure vessels annually.

[Nail]

Your boiler service company

[Jomell]

Yes, we use our local plumbers who service the boilers, etc.

[Sparky]

Same as UnderPaid ! The LAs insurer who is also Zurich contact me annually to arrange inspection of pressure vessels.
It has come up before around inspection of cylinders, however iv been told by both boiler service company and H&S that as the cylinders have no actual moving parts (just a holding vessel) no service is required as all associated parts such as pumps etc are part of normal checks and service.

[Jomell]

Yes, we also have an insurance company out to inspect the vessels visually (they don't test them though). When you join a multi-academy trust they want everything tested/inspected Our recent Water Risk Assessment is now asking for these vessels to be tested every 6 months...

[Sparky]

Yes, we also have an insurance company out to inspect the vessels visually (they don't test them though). When you join a multi-academy trust they want everything tested/inspected Our recent Water Risk Assessment is now asking for these vessels to be tested every 6 months...

Interesting Jomell.. is this just because you are a MAT ? When you say vessels are you still meaning pressure ? Or HW cylinders ?
You are right tho, the testing is the loosest possible term ! Some years it’s almost like a kick of a tyre test
2 years ago an insurance inspector turned up for the pressure vessels inspections all suited and booted, he actually grabbed and rocked it (floor standing) to ensure It was secured correctly !! My words were, I’m not sure you should be doing that...? Cracked the connecting pipe work joins. Low and behold water everywhere!! Emergency call out to our boiler engineers at the insurance company expense. Funny enough he didn’t come last year

[AndyCornwall]

Zurich test our PVs but it's not statutory, I think they need to be 250 (bar x litres) in volume x pressure.

I can't find a statutory requirement for servicing unvented water cylinders, but it seems a wise choice to me.

[Jubbs]

It might be better to employ a Water Monitoring Service, we had BMS do our testing every 6 months. We did our own weekly testing of normal outlets etc.

If some units are inaccessible in a normal situation, your heating service engineers should be bable to carry out these tests instead and supply a certificate.