Potable Expansion Vessels: What You Need to Know
Potable Expansion Vessels: What You Need to Know
When it comes to maintaining a safe and efficient water system, one essential component often overlooked is the potable water expansion vessel. These vessels play a vital role in ensuring that your system runs smoothly, prevents damage, and protects both property and users.
What is a Potable Expansion Vessel?
A potable expansion vessel is a specially designed unit that absorbs excess pressure in a potable (drinking water) system. As water is heated, it expands - and without a safety mechanism in place, this increased pressure can strain pipes, joints, and appliances.
Unlike standard heating expansion vessels, a potable water expansion vessel is manufactured from materials that are safe for contact with drinking water. They include food-grade linings and membranes to maintain water quality while preventing contamination. Also, potable vessels use an internal bladder that keeps water isolated, whereas heating vessels use a crimped-in membrane, allowing water to contact the steel body.
Why Do You Need a Potable Water Expansion Vessel?
There are several important reasons why installing a potable expansion vessel is crucial:
- Protects your plumbing system: Prevents pipework and fittings from being damaged due to excess pressure.
- Ensures water safety: Designed for use with potable water, these vessels maintain water purity.
- Extends system lifespan: Reduces stress on appliances like water heaters, prolonging their efficiency.
- Prevents leaks: Helps avoid costly water damage caused by uncontrolled pressure build-up.
Where Are Potable Water Expansion Vessels Used?
A potable water expansion vessel is commonly used in:
- Domestic hot water systems
- Unvented water heaters
- Commercial and industrial potable water installations
Whenever water is heated and consumed for drinking, cooking, or washing, a potable expansion vessel ensures both performance and safety.
Choosing the Right Potable Water Expansion Vessel
When selecting a potable expansion vessel, consider:
- Capacity: Ensure the vessel is correctly sized for your system.
- Compliance: Look for models that meet Regulation 4 approvals – for example WRAS, KIWA Reg 4, NSF Reg 4.
- Quality materials: Opt for vessels with Regulation 4-grade linings suitable for drinking water.
- Application: Make sure you are installing the best potable expansion vessel for your application – do you need a standard potable vessel, or would a flow-through vessel be more appropriate for the system?
- Installation: Ensure vessels are always fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure they work as intended – paying note to vessel orientation and avoiding ‘dead legs’ where possible.
- Maintenance: Check whether the membrane can be replaced for longer service life.
Why Choose Altecnic Potable Expansion Vessels?
Altecnic offers a comprehensive, versatile range of potable water expansion vessels that prioritise water safety, system protection, and long-term performance.
Key Features of the Altecnic Range
- Available in vertical, horizontal, and flow-through designs to suit different installation needs.
- Available in capacities from 0.5 to 1000 litres.
- Fully compliant with the PED 2014/68/EU, and BS EN 13831, ensuring industry-standard safety and reliability.
- Models available built with nitrogen pre-charge, which enhances bladder life and prevents internal corrosion.
- Coated internally to avoid corrosion; many models include replaceable bladders for easy maintenance.
- All Reflex, Nitrogen filled models carry a 5-year warranty, reflecting Altecnic’s confidence in their durability.
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Explore our product range: https://www.altecnic.co.uk/domestic/expansion-vessels/potable-vessels
https://www.altecnic.co.uk/domestic/expansion-vessels/flow-through-vessels