Quick and Easy

Q&E is extremely easy to install, but we always recommend that all installers undertake the free, on-site certificated training offered by Uponor

As Q&E uses a ‘shrink-fit’ type connection, an expander tool is needed to make the joints. These tools are usually a battery powered tool, but there is also a hand operated tool available for smaller sized pipes.

YES. As Q&E is manufactured to EN ISO 15875 it is permitted to be used for return pipework of a recirculating system.

NO. Discharge pipework should be capable of temperatures that exceed the maximum working temperature of the Q&E system. For this reason we recommend that an all metal system is used for these types of safety discharge outlets.

YES. Q&E should be insulated in exactly the same way and to the same thickness of insulation as a copper system. All insulation should comply to the relevant national standards to prevent heat loss or transfer of heat.

The coloured Evolution rings are used to identify different types of service for each pipe. For example Blue = domestic cold water, Red = domestic hot water, White = heating water. Using a different colour ring on each type of water pipe, will allow easy identification of pipes once the system has been completed

The maximum cold water pressure we allow for Q&E is 12 bar at temperatures up to 20 ºC

The maximum hot water pressure we allow for Q&E is 6 bar at any temperature above 20 ºC

With the addition of a suitable Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze mixed with the water in the pipe, Q&E can carry water at temperatures as low as -20°C

NO. However, we only allow the use of a traditional flat type of PTFE sealing tape. Details of the correct methods of installation should be sought from Uponor

There are two parts to a solar thermal installation, the primary side (which circulates water around the solar panels) and the secondary side. As the water in the primary side can reach temperatures above the maximum operating temperature of Q&E, we do not allow Q&E to be used on the primary side of the installation. However, once the heat has been passed though a cylinder to the water in the secondary side of the system, Q&E is suitable provided all the necessary thermostatic controls are used on both the primary and secondary sides of the installation, and the working temperature does not exceed the maximum operating temperature specified by Uponor

NO. Prolonged exposure to fuel oils can damage the Q&E system

NO. The Q&E system is NOT designed or certificated for gas

NO. Q&E it is not recommended for this.

YES. As with virtually all plastics, sunlight and UV light will degrade the material if they remain exposed for prolonged periods. Exposed pipework should always be protected from direct sunlight or UV

No. Without protection, the Q&E pipe could be damaged or crushed. Uponor supply a special range of pipes called Ecoflex that are designed for underground use. We recommend the use of Ecoflex systems for all applications where the pipe is to be buried in the ground

YES. This will have no detrimental effect on the pipe.

This is not really recommended. Without adequate protection the pipe would be susceptible to accidental damage, rodent attack, frost, sunlight, etc.

NO. Most sealants have an active ingredient which keeps the sealant from solidifying or curing. Some of these chemicals may cause damage to the pipe material

NO.

YES.  it is perfectly safe to use Q&E for this application

YES. The smooth bore of Q&E prohibits the build up of limescale inside the pipe.

NO. Q&E fittings do not need to be lubricated. Some lubricants can damage the Q&E system, will invalidate the guarantee and may contravene WRAS approvals

Condensation may build up on the surface of the pipe, but significantly less than a copper or stainless steel system.

YES. We would suggest that you contact Uponor to discuss this type of application.

YES. Q&E is absolutely fine for this type of application.

NO. Heat sources such as this are notoriously difficult to limit a maximum temperature. For this reason, these heat sources could provide excessive heat which could cause damage to a Q&E system.

YES. A Q&E system will not corrode and does not specifically require an inhibitor in it’s system. However, other metal parts of a heating system will need the help of an inhibitor to prevent corrosion and damage. Fernox F1 and Sentinal X100 products will not damage Q&E as long as they are used correctly.

Anti-bacterial treatment of water with a chlorine based chemical is common in modern buildings. Water containing Chlorine at levels which are safe for human consumption will not affect the Q&E system. However, any chemicals added to a system must only be done by a qualified professional that follows all the correct safety procedures and should be competent with both the chemicals being used and the system they are treating.

YES. Electronic or magnetic equipment to reduce the build-up of limescale elsewhere in the system will not affect a Q&E system.

Fire regulations state this must be positioned a minimum of 150mm from the downlighting fitting. The pipe should also be protected from strong light emitting from the downlighting.

NO. Chemicals in the foam, in particular before it cures, can damage the Q&E pipe. We recommend providing a sleeve around the pipe to which the foam can be applied without affecting the pipe inside.

The design of the Q&E system and the materials used are not affected by high volume flow rates, and will not suffer from either corrosion erosion or unacceptable water noises that will affect metal pipe systems.

NO. Denso tape should not be allowed to come into contact with Q&E.

Most threads on a TRV are ½” BSP type. In this case, you can use a compression adapter to connect the Q&E pipe straight to the TRV valve. Part numbers 1085247, 1058934 or 1058935 depending on the pipe size being used.

There are several other ways to connect to a radiator from Q&E, such as radiator connection elbows. We recommend that you discuss options with our Technical Team

YES. Wherever there is a potential for damage due to expansion or movement, we recommend that the Q&E is protected when going through the wall by using a protective sleeve.

YES. Standard plaster will not have any effect on the pipe material, although we recommend the pipes are buried deep enough not to crack the plaster surface if the pipes expand and move.

Ideally the external MDPE pipe should terminate at an isolation valve inside the building and the Q&E can then be connected to the other side of the valve with either a Q&E compression adapter fitting, or a male/female threaded adapter.

NO. This is not recommended.

Whilst this should be avoided, there may be no need to discard the pipe. Q&E pipes are extremely robust and a kink in the pipe may have virtually no effect on the capability of the pipe. If in doubt, seek advice from Uponor.

Regulations state that pipes should be traceable when placed within a wall or under a floor void. To do this, we recommend that a metal foil tape is applied to the outside of the insulation covering the pipe. Adhesive tape must never be applied directly on to Q&E pipes.

YES. Care must be taken when freezing any pipes and should only be done by an experienced engineer. We advise that, using an appropriate tool, you gently squeeze the pipe before freezing and then freeze on the pressure side of the clamp. This will ensure that when the ice plug has been formed it is not able to be forced out of the tube once the pipe is cut.

YES. An appropriate specialist pipe clamp tool can be used to close of a Q&E pipe so that a system can be worked on whilst the pipe is still filled with water. Please seek advice from Uponor as to the correct type of tool to use which will not cause damage to the pipe.

Pressure testing must only be carried out by a competent trained engineer. Details of Uponor’s latest suggested testing procedure should be sought from Uponor’s Technical Team.

Yes. Uponor supply connections to connect to soldered copper, copper compression fittings, MLC and MLC Riser systems. BSP threaded adapters can be used to connect to all other types of pipe system.

YES. However, because air is a compressible medium and can be dangerous if not done properly, any testing using air must only be done by a competent trained engineer. Testing using air must be done at very low pressures and over a much longer time period than testing with water. Details of Uponor’s latest suggested testing procedure should be sought from Uponor’s Technical Team.

Uponor can supply a ‘stop-end’ to close of 16mm pipe ends. For larger pipe sizes, we recommend a suitable specialist pipe clamp tool.

As a guideline, Q&E will expand roughly 10 times the amount as an equivalent copper pipe. However, controlling this expansion is often much easier than with copper as the pipe does not exert any where near the same forces as a metal pipe system. Please seek advice from Uponor’s Technical Team for expansion control methods.