MULTIBETON’S Technology
MULTIBETON (MB) is a leader in UFH technology with unique credentials. This is underscored by being located in Germany, the number one country for under floor heating technology. MB’s advanced technology includes:
1. Tubing / Pipework
MULTIBETON’s tubing /pipework has unique properties that make it an outstanding product for use in underfloor heating. The composition of the proprietary piping is such that its pink tubing comes with a 30 year material guarantee, a guarantee on the pink tubing for the life of the building in which it is placed and is insured for 10 years after commissioning against consequential damages (no claims have ever been made against this insurance). All the pipework is produced in house with rigorous quality assurance (QA). Please read Guaranteeof Quality .
In addition, all piping is subject to the most stringent quality tests such as those undertaken by TüV Rhineland during the production processes. (TuVs are part of a network of the Technical Inspection Association, which are independent German businesses that certify the safety and rule-compliance of products of all kinds).
MB also tests its products several times a year with a range of testing institutes (TUV in Germany, TGM in Austria, CSTB in France, KIWA/KOMO in the Netherlands) in order to benchmark its quality. For example, pipes in continuous use for 38 years are passing current tests, meaning that they could be sold as “new pipes”. This proves our focus on durability and reliability. MB system tubing has passed the maxi-test at 150 degrees C and 3 bar internal pressure over a service life of over 1,000 hours. Please readMBpipe38years .
MB has never had to draw-down on its product liability insurance since it started its product insurance scheme in 1967.
MB’s cooling capabilities are in the range of 3 to 7 degrees C. Cooling in excess of this can potentially cause condensation within the floor, which can be damaging to its fabric.
2. Modulation
The MB system of modulation is designed to ensure that the underfloor heating system closely follows the building heat requirements. This means the focus is on external walls and glazed areas (especially full height glazing) as the warmest water in the heated tubes is always taken to the highest area of heat loss, such as an external wall. Simply put, more tubing is laid where there is higher potential impact of external cold. This design approach ensures that the surface heat of a floor counteracts the heat losses at the most vulnerable heat loss points. This helps ensure even temperatures throughout particularly in those areas which would otherwise be the coldest. The alternate approach of tubing being evenly spaced across the whole area cannot achieve this even temperature and cold zones can potentially occur.
The tubing / pipework is laid in accordance with the scientific principles developed by Dr. A. Kollmar, who collaborated with Dr. Artus Feist, founder of MULTIBETON, in the 1970’s. This work was subsequently patented and is now part of the intellectual property of MULTIBETON. This has subsequently morphed into the company’s planning software, titled Multiplaner.
3. Installation
MB system tubes are installed in a warm (50-70 degrees Celsius) and water-carrying condition only. This approach means that piping is laid without any tension and twists. This is an important point as anyone who has laid other forms of UFH tubing can attest to, as such pipework can tend to be far too stiff when cold. This approach also facilitates modulation as pipework has to be capable of sharp bends in such circumstances. MB’s installation methodology routinises and accelerates the installation approach and saves significantly on labour costs.
Evidence of Technical Performance
One example of flow temperature measurement has been measurements carried out in the two winters starting in 2009 and 2010 of a 250m2 ( 2,690ft2 approx) house in the Bonn area of Germany (external temperatures between -12 and -20 degrees C). Maximum flow temperature was 32 degrees C with an internal temperature of 21 degrees C and return temperature between 25 and 26 degrees C. Annual output for the house is 11,500 kWh gas corresponding to 1024 litres of heating oil. (The house in question is a German “four litre house”). Please read EnergysavingsUFHMB10 .
Irish external temperatures for winter are not as extreme but the lower flow temperatures described can be achieved in this country also with MULTIBETON products.
