Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

possible link central heating systems and soaring disease rates

  • 02-03-2013 4:14am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭


    Vague plumbing regulations and lack of inspections have left 1000s of people exposed to life threatening diseases. If only one house gets infected by the many 1000s of incorrectly fitted heating systems which have been connected directly to the mains water in the house. Substandard plumbing valves are being used as the only line of defence against a cross contamination of an entire public water mains.It has been standard practise for over 30 years in some country's to fit a dual non return valve on the boundary of the property to protect the public mains.Ireland has been leading Europe in water-borne disease rates for years per head of population in one case 7 times the average.In many of these cases the source has not been found. Is it not about time we looked at the obvious.Central heating systems are category 3 hazard at best some are even a category 5 .Single non return valves or valves containing rubber seals are useless Many systems were filled at construction stage where having worked for years i know hygiene and following regulations are side stepped for profit. Attachment not found.td phone 023.JPG


«13

Comments

  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 9,809 CMod ✭✭✭✭Shield


    When was the last death in Ireland that was caused wholly by drinking water that comes from the tap?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    To answer your question i don't know. In the HPSC reports they do not in most cases publish the exact mode of transmission. Legionellosis disease commonly found in heating systems are transmitted by showers. According to figures published by the EPA 4 outbreaks of e coli were confirmed as related to domestic plumbing system in 2011 .in 2007 Fingal council confirmed that it is possible for public mains to become infected by domestic systems http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/council-confirms-e-coli-in-water-supply-on-swords-estate-323621.html.In my estate all 64 house built around 2002 were incorrectly fitted completely ignoring the boiler instruction manual .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,677 ✭✭✭shane0007


    You will be happy to know then the new water meters being installed have built in non-return valves!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    The problem with our water isnt house to house. Its the quality of the water itself. Eu makes standards, ireland lowers the standards because they know they cant meet them and they still cant even meet there own made up low standards.

    Our water system is in a awful condition. Leaks like a sieve and is quite contaminated.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Shield wrote: »
    When was the last death in Ireland that was caused wholly by drinking water that comes from the tap?

    A lot of heating systems in Ireland are without simple preventive cross contamination measures(filling loops) in their homes, its very plausible for a householder to be drinking their own rad water from their drinking taps under certain circumstances, would it kill you, that I don't know, does it taste nice, nope, should it happen, not when there're are cheap and simplistic preventative methods, why take the risk?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,516 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    gary71 wrote: »
    A lot of heating systems in Ireland are without simple preventive cross contamination measures(filling loops) in their homes, its very plausible for a householder to be drinking their own rad water from their drinking taps under certain circumstances, would it kill you, that I don't know, does it taste nice, nope, should it happen, not when there're are cheap and simplistic preventative methods, why take the risk?
    I would agree whole heartedly with this statement, the amount of "fill loops" permanently connected with little or no non return protection is ridiculous.

    I really do strongly feel that proper building inspections by an independant are needed on every build at regular intervals to do routine checks on all works, including adequate protection of the mains water supply.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    td phone 005.JPG

    025.JPG

    td phone 023.JPG
    These are the 3 methods used in Trim i have seen so far all built since 2000.
    the hotpress was my house where non return is vertical but in alot of my neighbours houses they are fitted horizontally .
    Two Chinese companies MDs jailed for 16 yrs for selling counterfeit plumbing valves world wide since 2006 they even sold to US army .
    I bought the non return valve in first post from well known plumbing shop the plastic piston is shredding asked were they got it .When i checked with there supplier they told me was not one theirs .They had not supplied this shop since 2007


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    shane0007 wrote: »
    You will be happy to know then the new water meters being installed have built in non-return valves!

    So at least the problem has been spotted which hopefully will protect the public main but what about informing the householders that they have a toxic bomb waiting to leak into their main storage tank and from there into hot water cylinder which will act as the perfect breeding ground for what ever bacteria is in heating system. I have spoken to alot of plumbers most seem to mistakenly think non return valves cannot get stuck open.Have some of these plumbers used the same methodology in public buildings ,schools ,office blocks ,apartment complexes.
    www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00046656.htm


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 6,522 Mod ✭✭✭✭Irish Steve


    OK, can we please step back a little here, as this is not just a plumbers forum, it's a plumbing forum, I think some clarification is needed here of what we're talking about for the benefit of the non plumbers that may not have a clue what is being talked about.

    The issue highlighted by the OP is that where a house has a pressurised heating system, rather than the older separate open tank vented system, there is the possibility for water from the heating system to back feed into the house, or even possibly the public main, in the event of low pressure in the main as can happen when water is turned off by the supplier for some reason like a break in a main.

    If the non return valve on the heating system is either sticking, faulty or even not present, and the valve that controls the supply to the heating system is open, there is a possibility of water from the heating system being forced back into the domestic pipes by the higher pressure in the pressure vessel. The quality of the water in the heating system is clearly not acceptable in the house supply, and may present a health risk.

    If everything on the system is working correctly, and has been fitted correctly, this is not going to happen.

    If there is no non return valve, there is a risk.

    If the non return valve is a cheap one, it may be a risk,

    If the filling loop is left connected, and the fill tap left on, there is a higher risk.

    If the non return valve is faulty, or sticks, and the incoming supply pressure drops below the heating system pressure, water may flow the wrong way and contaminate the domestic supply.

    There are 2 ways to quickly ensure that this is not a problem.

    Ensure that the valve on the input to the heating loop is turned off.

    Disconnect the heating loop connection.

    The second option may not be possible if the connection has been made in solid pipe or if there is no non return valve on the filling loop.

    If there are 2 tanks in the roof, one storage tank and one header tank for the heating system, this issue is not an issue for you, and you can forget it, the 2 systems are not joined as such.

    If you have a pressurised system, a quick check of what is fitted and how it is connected may be worthwhile, it only needs the local water supplier to turn off the main incoming supply for a fault for this issue to possibly manifest itself,

    If there is any concern, a high quality lever operated ball valve fitted as the first component in the line to the heating system, and turned off unless topping up the heating system for some reason, will prevent any risk of back flow into the domestic system. This is a cheap component, and can usually be quickly and easily fitted to the supply line.

    The ideal situation is a loop similar to this one here, it has a valve for the supply, the pipe can be disconnected from the valve, and there is a non return valve on the other end of the pipe to prevent back flow. After filling, the tap can be turned off, and the hose disconnected, there is then no risk of backflow into the domestic supply.

    A similar hose without the disconnect and non return valve may be a risk, if the supply valve is left open. As long as the supply valve is closed, the risk is minimised, but the best practice is to have the hose disconnected unless maintenance work is being carried out.

    Shore, if it was easy, everybody would be doin it.😁



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    OK, can we please step back a little here, as this is not just a plumbers forum, it's a plumbing forum, I think some clarification is needed here of what we're talking about for the benefit of the non plumbers that may not have a clue what is being talked about.

    The issue highlighted by the OP is that where a house has a pressurised heating system, rather than the older separate open tank vented system, there is the possibility for water from the heating system to back feed into the house, or even possibly the public main, in the event of low pressure in the main as can happen when water is turned off by the supplier for some reason like a break in a main.

    If the non return valve on the heating system is either sticking, faulty or even not present, and the valve that controls the supply to the heating system is open, there is a possibility of water from the heating system being forced back into the domestic pipes by the higher pressure in the pressure vessel. The quality of the water in the heating system is clearly not acceptable in the house supply, and may present a health risk.

    If everything on the system is working correctly, and has been fitted correctly, this is not going to happen.

    If there is no non return valve, there is a risk.

    If the non return valve is a cheap one, it may be a risk,

    If the filling loop is left connected, and the fill tap left on, there is a higher risk.

    If the non return valve is faulty, or sticks, and the incoming supply pressure drops below the heating system pressure, water may flow the wrong way and contaminate the domestic supply.

    There are 2 ways to quickly ensure that this is not a problem.

    Ensure that the valve on the input to the heating loop is turned off.

    Disconnect the heating loop connection.

    The second option may not be possible if the connection has been made in solid pipe or if there is no non return valve on the filling loop.

    If there are 2 tanks in the roof, one storage tank and one header tank for the heating system, this issue is not an issue for you, and you can forget it, the 2 systems are not joined as such.

    If you have a pressurised system, a quick check of what is fitted and how it is connected may be worthwhile, it only needs the local water supplier to turn off the main incoming supply for a fault for this issue to possibly manifest itself,

    If there is any concern, a high quality lever operated ball valve fitted as the first component in the line to the heating system, and turned off unless topping up the heating system for some reason, will prevent any risk of back flow into the domestic system. This is a cheap component, and can usually be quickly and easily fitted to the supply line.

    The ideal situation is a loop similar to this one here, it has a valve for the supply, the pipe can be disconnected from the valve, and there is a non return valve on the other end of the pipe to prevent back flow. After filling, the tap can be turned off, and the hose disconnected, there is then no risk of backflow into the domestic supply.

    A similar hose without the disconnect and non return valve may be a risk, if the supply valve is left open. As long as the supply valve is closed, the risk is minimised, but the best practice is to have the hose disconnected unless maintenance work is being carried out.
    I agree with you but the problem is that my estate is 10/12 years old and not one plumber or boiler service engineer or anyone else has bothered to inform the householders that they might have a problem.I Have spoken to one of the head heating engineers in Fingal cc he said it is a wide spread practice .I have also spoke to Vokera head service manager and he has confirmed that he has seen this practise countrywide and also said that my boiler 28e with only .5 bar pressure is like driving a car at 10 mph in 5th gear it will run but will not run efficiently


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    tonyroc wrote: »
    I agree with you but the problem is that my estate is 10/12 years old and not one plumber or boiler service engineer or anyone else has bothered to inform the householders that they might have a problem.I Have spoken to one of the head heating engineers in Fingal cc he said it is a wide spread practice .I have also spoke to Vokera head service manager and he has confirmed that he has seen this practise countrywide and also said that my boiler 28e with only .5 bar pressure is like driving a car at 10 mph in 5th gear it will run but will not run efficiently

    Pressurised systems are better for filling and pumping around. Nothing wrong with a low pressure system as such.

    Not a fan of auto filling valves myself much better off with a flexy filling loop


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    corkgsxr wrote: »

    Not a fan of auto filling valves myself much better off with a flexy filling loop

    Agreed, I always feel auto fillers in a house are masking an underlying problem with the system, most often a leak, which in turn dilutes any inhibitor that may be in the system.
    Also its not a bad idea to stick a blank cap on the filling valve after disconnection in case its accidently opened and another one on the non return valve in case it starts letting water pass back.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    look lads most of you who have posted so far seem to have a good knowledge on the issue of back flow prevention but i joined boards.ie this week to try and expose the scale of the problem.Because of the type of cross connection in my estate there is a RISK of contamination from the heating system and that is a fact however the chances of public water mains getting contaminated is slim . .But in the two other estates i have checked they are connected directly to mains with inadequate valves used and so the public water mains is at risk .These estates have around 1000 units .Now Trim is only a small town so if this is country wide a figure of 100,000 or more could be possible .So is it not also possible that some of these systems were never even flushed so what kind of bacteria could be in them ?Chances are high that at least ONE will back flow.One public water main line could have how many houses?In Clontarf last August 1400 houses contaminated on one line and they are still not sure of source .I am not having a go at the plumbers, it is the lack of regulations and inspections that is to blame .I had a guy start for me last year after looking at his work for a hour i asked him where he got his papers . www.ableskills.co.uk/ so any muppet with a few grand now can have city & guilds with feck all practical work.I know of companies set up by accountants and others who were allowed to operate in all the different trades.To register as a builder less than €500 to set up company


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    Shield wrote: »
    When was the last death in Ireland that was caused wholly by drinking water that comes from the tap?

    I could have killed myself in the shower 4 days ago i just don't know yet


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭DanWall


    Why don't we concentrate on the flouride problem at the moment? we are getting in 100% of household


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭JohnnieK


    I'm sitting here reading all this and a thought has popped into my head. I am trying to think when Auto-fill valves (Pressure reducing valves) first appeared in domestic heating system and for the life of me I just don't know. It's like one day they where not there and the next they where.

    I also find a blank expression on most householders face's when you explain these things to them, and they just want you out so they can go and do things with there money other than correcting these issues.

    I agree completely with tonyroc in this matter.

    One example of this.

    I fitted a boiler for a lady two years ago, fixed a leak and instlled a filling loop because the 367 gate valve was passing:rolleyes: Last summer she called me to say the pressure was low and could I come over, I was too busy that day so she said there was a guy who done her bathroom last week and would I mind if she called him, fire away I said.

    About 3 weeks later it was due a service so I called her. I was working away on the boiler and she said the pressure was down because he replaced the rad in the bathroom and for got to refill. She then said "oh by the way the guy told me that you cut corners by not leaving a proper filling point" I went up stairs and low and be hold he replace my proper filling loop with the scourge of my life an auto fill valve WTF.

    I honestly dont know if some plumbers are just dumb, couldn't careless or something else.

    I think complete supervision of the industry is needed sooner rather than later.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    Thanks for for that post Johnniek i was starting to think i was going mad and i know what you mean about blank expressions.When i try and tell people they just think i am after money .Most of the treatment plants and water mains have been brought up to standard over the last 6/7 years only because EU put pressure on .So now in theory we should have less reported diseases.But if you check www.HPSC.ie publications you get a different story .I have thousands of pages of research in support of my theory but it is like banging my head off a wall to get Government depts to listen.Till our constitution is changed so that ministers are liable for their actions or lack of nothing will change in this country.The yanks are 30 years ahead of us on contamination the same as they were with pyrite
    http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/disinfection/tcr/pdfs/issuepaper_tcr_crossconnection-backflow.pdf


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Auto-fillers or as we from da streets:cool: call um "Gangster valves" cos only gangsters fit um.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    The more plumbers posting the stronger the case.How many more estates out there? number of houses only.Every house needs to be checked ask your plumber to show you how central heating system is filled with water .Post the answer here or a picture will do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    If the plumbers out there don't speak up they are as bad as the murders that put them in .


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    tonyroc wrote: »
    If the plumbers out there don't speak up they are as bad as the murders that put them in .

    Now thats a bit ott.

    The gas network has regulation which is highly enforced. The building network has regulation thats loosely enforced. You want to change this?

    Lobby govt.

    If you fail to get a satasfactory reply lobby the EU.

    Change starts with you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    That's what i have been doing but getting no where keep getting pushed from one dept. to next ,i just thought some of the plumbers on board might speak up about how wide spread this is and the possible dangers associated with this practise .Maybe i am being a little ott but the most at risk are the young children and the old and to lobby i need the support of the trades the ones who saw the conditions these systems were connected in .I am sure alot of these systems were never even flushed so the fluids in them could be alot more infected than people think.One example 50,000 died from the plague in Dublin alone they burned the bodies but where did they bury them ? he soil could still be contaminated .In major city all sorts of land was built on .
    Risks which can be avoided should be .The home is meant to be safe environment but it could be a death chamber remember these systems are suppose to last 30-40 years .Some of the consequences of infection could take years to show themselves .It is a risk and Risk should be treated as extreme till proved otherwise .Some one get a leak in a house so they turn a valve on or off in a hot press trying to stop house being damaged at the same time the mains pressure is low what happens ? Then you have the cowboys.There are any number of ways this can happen and i cant do this myself i need help from responsible trades people as in Photos and numbers and areas not estate names because some will try and make a a quick quid.I need water tested but i am struggling to pay mortgage myself i cannot afford to do this.I need academics to check my research .The regulations will be tightened eventually but what about the systems that could be leaking right now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    Your starting to sound like a loon. Plague bodys ffs.

    The condition of our mains water is ****ed anyway. More bad stuff your drinking everyday than the million in one chance a heating system is going to backflow and be in high enough concentration to harm ya.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,677 ✭✭✭shane0007


    tonyroc wrote: »
    That's what i have been doing but getting no where keep getting pushed from one dept. to next ,i just thought some of the plumbers on board might speak up about how wide spread this is and the possible dangers associated with this practise .Maybe i am being a little ott but the most at risk are the young children and the old and to lobby i need the support of the trades the ones who saw the conditions these systems were connected in .I am sure alot of these systems were never even flushed so the fluids in them could be alot more infected than people think.One example 50,000 died from the plague in Dublin alone they burned the bodies but where did they bury them ? he soil could still be contaminated .In major city all sorts of land was built on .
    Risks which can be avoided should be .The home is meant to be safe environment but it could be a death chamber remember these systems are suppose to last 30-40 years .Some of the consequences of infection could take years to show themselves .It is a risk and Risk should be treated as extreme till proved otherwise .Some one get a leak in a house so they turn a valve on or off in a hot press trying to stop house being damaged at the same time the mains pressure is low what happens ? Then you have the cowboys.There are any number of ways this can happen and i cant do this myself i need help from responsible trades people as in Photos and numbers and areas not estate names because some will try and make a a quick quid.I need water tested but i am struggling to pay mortgage myself i cannot afford to do this.I need academics to check my research .The regulations will be tightened eventually but what the systems that could be leaking right now.
    The New Me is really trying to stay as the New Me but I am really struggling here.
    All I will say (for now) is "Hmmmm....."


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    One in a million makes me laught you don't seem to understand the reason theses valves are not ment to be used is because they can and do leak some valves have a leak tolarance .One I checked had a 1 drop per minute allowed tolerance , then the cheap fakes , substandard ones .pipework and valves imported from god knows where already contaminated and made from substandard meterials.Looking over some of your posts you talk about valves failing .Can you 100% tell me what's in theses fluids I would douth it , cowboys putting in wrong chemicals and so on can you say 100% that dosent happen ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    shane0007 wrote: »
    The New Me is really trying to stay as the New Me but I am really struggling here.
    All I will say (for now) is "Hmmmm....."

    But shane there going to kill us all. Im super serious.


    Tony what about the open systems where the small tank is sitting on top of the cold water tank and the overflow just points down into the cold tank. Much more likely to harm ya

    Or what about dual tanks that the ballcock and the outlets are both on the same tank?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    And most cowboys dont put in chemicals.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    Ok I know I could be abit ott on some points in relation to fluid make up but when dealing with a possible health hazard one must treat it as worst possible case till it is proved otherwise .on a side note why did regulators and planners let so many houses be built with no alternative Heat source if there was an extended electric blackout in weather like we had 2 yrs ago -16 and gas pressure dropped because no power to pump it how many would die from exposure ?. Am I off the wall about that too ?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    tonyroc wrote: »
    Ok I know I could be abit ott on some points in relation to fluid make up but when dealing with a possible health hazard one must treat it as worst possible case till it is proved otherwise .on a side note why did regulators and planners let so many houses be built with no alternative Heat source if there was an extended electric blackout in weather like we had 2 yrs ago -16 and gas pressure dropped because no power to pump it how many would die from exposure ?. Am I off the wall about that too ?

    Ya you are. Light a fire. Buy a ol oil rad.

    In cork we had power and gas. Many had no water but had plenty of gas and power.


    Tell me what you would install for secondary heat that doesn't use power gas or water.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    That's my point no solid fuel fire place only gas ,oil rad don't know anything about them but if no power what shops will be open and will they have stocks to supply so many people same applies gas bottles


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    corkgsxr wrote: »
    Ya you are. Light a fire. Buy a ol oil rad.

    In cork we had power and gas. Many had no water but had plenty of gas and power.


    Tell me what you would install for secondary heat that doesn't use power gas or water.

    Maybe read post first oil rad needs electricity ?
    All houses should have multi fuel fireplace or stove


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    tonyroc wrote: »
    Maybe read post first oil rad needs electricity ?
    All houses should have multi fuel fireplace or stove

    Sur if you were stuck you could use a superser and get a bottle of gas.

    Its a very rare event that a house would have no gas and power for any length of time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    What about apartment's? Should everyone of them have a fire. Not possible


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    corkgsxr wrote: »
    What about apartment's? Should everyone of them have a fire. Not possible

    Average heat loss in house 25% attic apartment would retain more heat especially on lower floors ,the occupants would also be able to communicate with each other without exposing themselves elements .The main point is those in control have not done there job .i am not looking to cash in here I am just trying to highlight a few issues .most irish workers in trades spent years gaining experience and being shown by their boss's correct procedures and sharing there knowledge .Now we have guys checking people boilers for board gais who have no knowledge of plumbing but can get gas cert after a few weeks training if they can pay for courses .this is one of the many trades where this can happen and I personally think its wrong .This goes up the ladder architects were not controlled either and were allowed open and trade without having any practical experience some even had only done courses on Internet over weeks or months but because there was no set standard .Same applies to ministers Brian lenihan rip was a barrister what was he doing in charge of finance.By the way in case any of you think I am looking for plumbing work I am not a plumber but I have worked in conjunction with them over the years so I learned alot and was never afraid to ask questions . Since jan last year me and about ten other trades people are working on a "completed "50million project trying to rectify all the mistakes that were signed off on only 3 yrs ago by engineers and architects .some apartment doors can't even be opened hitting ground ,apartment waste pipe going into holes in ground .only discovered when back filled and leaked into apartment below .i could go on but main point is no one seems to be liable anymore I personly think anyone who signs off a project has to be liable because our life's and children's depend on proper enforcement .Now with people struggling to pay for houses that are not even safe to live in .People need to be informed if ther is a risk and the costs to fix mine € 40 in parts and basic knowledge of plumbing .If only 100000 house and apartments less than €20mil how much will it cost when 500,000 people start showing signs of illness ,I think looking at HPSC it is already happening .i need your help to try and get a scale of problem because I started working on sites at 15 I never completed school but don't be fooled into thinking I'm brain dead .i have taught my self from use of computers to working to most aspects of construction from tunnel work under the sea in Sydney for Phillp Holzmann to construction work as subcontractors with 5 lads in private residents the biggest of which is 15000sqfeet thats 15 semis. I believe work experience and common sense is worth more than any persons qualification if they have no hands on experience.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 180 ✭✭oikster


    Is that you Willie?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    oikster wrote: »
    Is that you Willie?

    That's what she calls me aright .who's that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    if you cant heat a apartment the heat loss makes no differance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    corkgsxr wrote: »
    if you cant heat a apartment the heat loss makes no differance.

    i beg to differ if a house and a apartment have been heated to the same temp. say +20 and heating goes off it will take alot longer for the apartment to cool to outside temp. say -19.2 irish record
    heat loss through wall 35%
    heat loss through roof 25%
    draught 15%
    windows 10%
    floors 15%
    Terrace house 2 walls ,roof,draughts ,windows ,floor
    semi 3 wall,roof,draughts,windows,floor
    detached 4 walls ,roof,draught,windows,floor,
    detached cools quickest 4 walls
    most apartment max 2 walls,window,draughts,
    if ground floor ,floor but no roof
    if 1st floor no floor or roof
    if top story no floor loss only roof loss
    Body heat also factor apartment generally smaller area
    plus alot of apartments share common area without having to leave building so better chance of communicating with others without exposure to outside Temp
    whereas house one must open outside door letting in cold air to get or give help dropping temp further
    So in conclusion better chance of survival in apartment ,having said that not sure about time frame but with exposure i think every second counts
    I hope this makes sense and answers your post i knew answer but i just had to check the figures but give me a break pls i have to work as well i just made an assumption wrongly on my part that it was obvious .
    By the way went scoil na nog ,Glanmire ,won county under 14 medal when eleven with them, they said would send on medal still waiting ,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    Several days without heating is the situation you described. If you cant heat a apartment and the day temperature doesnt go into plus temperatures, heat loss matters little if its freezing and you can't heat it.

    And far as I know in the 2 years we had very low temps in cork we had no problems with power or gas. Water was the issue.

    And even that it was a what 1 in 20 year event.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,097 ✭✭✭Dtp79


    No offence tony but I'm finding it more and more difficult to follow you. I do understand the jist of why you are saying. But, briefly, what are you looking for exactly?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    Dtp79 wrote: »
    No offence tony but I'm finding it more and more difficult to follow you. I do understand the jist of why you are saying. But, briefly, what are you looking for exactly?

    sorry new to boards got sidetracked by a question
    I know i am right about plumbing theory i have a written report but one report is no good when going up against council and government,the head guy in fingal when pressed for estate names suddenly became vague, understandable wants to keep job,.So what i need are plumbers to come out and BACK my theory on the possibility of Public water main getting contaminated because of lack of regs and the use of inadequate valves and also give info on the amount of homes ,or public building exposed .
    I need someone with medical or science background to look at HPSC annual reports and give summary .As i said i have little formal education and need confirmation of increasing case numbers by academics.
    I am stumbling a bit just now because no real backing on these theories however no one has said or shown evidence to the contrary.
    I know i am maybe a bit extreme on possible contaminates as in kinds of bacteria.But where systems were never flushed anything is possible as far as i know.I need fluids tested to see exactly what's in them so i need science research professional to do this .I do not have the money or knowledge to know what to test for.
    This project has grown so much,it is to time consuming for one person who is also trying to earn a living and pay a mortgage .
    My lack of education which will and has been used against me in this matter should not be let overshadow or cloud the issue .Everyone thinks i must have an angle or am on the make but money for me means feck all.I left school at 15 private boarding school and took the world on ,it beat me a few times but i travelled the world ,and always lived life to the full .I drank from an early age and made a lot of mistakes but in January 2011 i checked into the Ruthland and discovered compassion and this combined with my lack of fear for authority compels me to stand up for those who maybe don't understand the risks they or their family's are being exposed to .Irish people have always been afraid to stand up for themselves and if this is not sorted out before meters go in ,the homes exposed will be ignored because only isolated cases will happen but for me ,people have a right to be fully protected and safe in their homes especially
    now with so many people struggling to pay for what might turn out to be their executioner.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Billy Bunting


    tonyroc wrote: »
    Irish people have always been afraid to stand up for themselves .

    Most Irish would say its because theyre easy going, while the rest of Europe would call them submissive, but Big brother never has a problem getting their pound of flesh from the Irish, as home owners are about to discover.


  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 3,496 ✭✭✭DGOBS


    To answer your question i don't know. In the HPSC reports they do not in most cases publish the exact mode of transmission. Legionellosis disease commonly found in heating systems are transmitted by showers. According to figures published by the EPA 4 outbreaks of e coli were confirmed as related to domestic plumbing system in 2011 .in 2007 Fingal council confirmed that it is possible for public mains to become infected by domestic systems http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/c...323621.html.In my estate all 64 house built around 2002 were incorrectly fitted completely ignoring the boiler instruction manual .

    E. coli from the heating system? Did someone pooh in it first?
    With Legionella, 60 deg water will kill it, so only found where low water temperatures are allowed (or uninsulated attic tanks maybe)

    I don't disagree with most of what your saying, but as a plumbing standard from NSAI looks to be in the offing, maybe you should chat with team (SR50 revised?)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    DGOBS wrote: »
    E. coli from the heating system? Did someone pooh in it first?
    With Legionella, 60 deg water will kill it, so only found where low water temperatures are allowed (or uninsulated attic tanks maybe)

    I don't disagree with most of what your saying, but as a plumbing standard from NSAI looks to be in the offing, maybe you should chat with team (SR50 revised?)

    ecoli

    your not a country boy then go into any field in the summer and look at a cow,horse,sheep, in cites horses,dogs,and cats pooh they will have one thing in common flies walking all over it, then same flies dies or walks in pipe,dung Beatle and other insects ,small rodents mice i have seen rats climb through a hole the size €2 coin ,alot of house built on agricultural land contaminated soil into pipe
    system filled but not flushed. http://www.nature.com/news/e-coli-strain-linked-to-cancer-in-mice-1.11211
    legionella this open my eyes
    http://www.accepta.com/environmental-water-wastewater-knowledge/legionella-legionnaires-disease-knowledge/281-legionnaires-disease-domestic-hot-water-systems


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    NSAI first of all would be very hard to get meeting and with overwhelming numbers i would be probably be laughed out of room.I would doubt if a review of up to date knowledge on the risks of back flow contamination would be high on agenda with cut backs and trying to implement regulations.Change takes time most of sr50 was first drafted in 2007 and part of it implemented in 2010.
    They are just finished a report on pyrite it was known about in the states 30 yrs ago
    even if regulations implemented the damage already done needs to be fixed first .
    householders need to be informed of dangers and mandatory inspections need to be carried out by fully trained plumbers who have been educated in possible risks associated with cross connections and back flow events and on proper valves to be used for same.And every flexible feed i have seen so far have never been disconnected


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    water-borne diseases ,look closely at leptospirosis

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterborne_diseases#Viral_infections


    i don't know how long these can live in a system but from what i know about nature it always finds a way to evolve and adapt. so why take a chance if a low cost fix is possible remember even a brand new valve can have a fault or leak ,and if manual operated can be forgotten ,phone rings ,get distracted ,i once collapsed "back seized up" opening door of jeep could not move for 15 mins.There are to many risks evolved


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭tonyroc


    i knew i seen it some where FLIES not only a carrier but an incubator


    http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/inf-da/fliesanddisease.pdf


  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 3,496 ✭✭✭DGOBS


    So how did the flies, rats or mice climb into the 'sealed' or 'semi sealed' central heating system? Via the non return? More likely the water was contaminated at source before entering the heating system.

    I am not a city boy, nor did I partake in trying to belittle you by suggesting something in your background, but this thread is certainly worthy of Hienbold, and maybe more than a bit OCD. (Lots of links too!!!)

    Most contaminated water sources are from ill installed and/or maintained private wells (from cattle run off etc). The quality of your mains fed drinking water is continually checked for both micobiological and chemical contamination. EHOs continually call to houses to take samples for testing in this regard, it's part of the public health policy of our country.

    You worry about this long list of bacteria, we are surrounded by it all day, how many children play in their back yards in the soil or stones and put hands to their mouths?

    Your gut is full of bacteria, good and bad, your mouth is awash with them, your body covered in them.

    The issue is more reducing our resistance to them with drugs, and sterile environments allowing disease,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    Are you seriously suggesting we can get leprosy from heating water?

    Most of that list is tropical waterborn problems.


  • Advertisement
This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement