Richard Harvey, Category Director for Heating at Wolseley, explains the new BS 7593:2019 regulations and offers tips to help installers ensure an efficient transition.

The revised BS 7593:2019 standard for the preparation, commissioning, and maintenance of domestic heating and cooling water systems came into effect on 31 May 2019, immediately superseding its 2006 counterpart. 

The changes are widely accepted as being a positive step in replacing the notion of boiler protection with one of whole system health – a process that not only delivers benefits for the homeowner such as fewer breakdowns and lower carbon emissions, but can also be a profitable business shift for installers. 

Installers should remember that the new legislation is applicable to both closed-loop heating and cooling circuits. Biocide is required in cooling and low temperature heating systems, and should be considered for higher temperature systems for added protection during downtime. 

With a clear emphasis on whole system health under the new standard, fitting a permanent in-line filter is a pre-requisite on all systems, in addition to a chemical clean and fresh water flush before the inhibitor is added. The inhibitor should then be re-dosed every five years, unless a full system water test has been completed. 

The new standard also emphasises the importance of external magnetite capture equipment and mechanical vibration of radiators in improving all recommended cleaning methods. 

Explain it to your customers

With any new legislative change, ensuring you upskill adequately enough to be able to explain the changes to your customer with confidence is key.

Many homeowners will be expecting their usual boiler maintenance service, and will need a straightforward, jargon-free explanation of the changes, the benefits to them, and what it means financially. 

The benefits of lower running costs, fewer breakdowns, a longer boiler lifespan, and enhanced warranties will all resonate with homeowners, not to mention the reduction of carbon emissions. 

Educate your customer base well and future loyalty, word-of-mouth recommendations, and positive online reviews will all be forthcoming to help you grow your business. 

The new legislation is an important step towards acknowledging that chemical water treatment isn’t a fit and forget solution. For many installers, complying with the changes will require a shift in understanding. 

With in-line filters now a mandatory element of all domestic closed-loop heating and cooling systems, and the introduction of regular testing and redosing alongside proper system cleaning, the first-year failure rate for new boiler installations will dramatically reduce thanks to improved water quality. 

In other words, complying with the new standards will improve the life expectancy and overall efficiency of all household systems – a critical step towards the reduction of carbon emissions. 

It is vital that installers do not cut corners when adding the inhibitor, religiously conducting a chemical clean and fresh water flush to ensure the whole system is as clean and operationally efficient as possible. 

If you’re still unsure about the changes, speak to your merchant about in-line filters and additional dosing supplies. In-line filters are compact enough to keep in stock, and the additional dosing supplies you will need are readily available. Speak to your preferred merchant to better understand the differences between manufacturers, such as functionality, installation benefits, and cost variables. 

The new standard is included within Part L of Building Regulations and installers must comply. Change often feels inconvenient, but legislative enhancements are designed to deliver environmental, economic, and safety benefits.