AirlockTrapped air in pipework where, due to its layout, the air cannot escape naturally resulting in no or very little flow of liquid along the pipe.

Air Vented ValveA mechanical device which automatically releases air trapped within a designer radiator.

Bars The unit of measurement of water pressure - one bar is approximately equivalent to a column of water 10m high (above the top of the designer radiator) on older water tank systems. Note: Combi boiler have their own internal pump determines the bar pressure, which is normally listed on the front of the boiler.

Blank Plug Plug fitted to an un-used tapping on a radiator to simply seal and close that opening.

Bleed Central Heating Where the water is emptied out of the central heating system to allow for the removal or addition of radiators or heated towel rails.

Bleed Valve / Bleed Plug Plug fitted to the tapping at the top of a radiator which will allow you to release air trapped in the system with the use of a bleed key.

Boiler Noise Silencer Solution added to a central heating system or an electric radiator (closed unit) to minimise the noise created when the water starts to bubble inside.

BTU British Thermal Units – measurement which heat output is calculated in.

CE Marking Declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European Directives. The initials "CE" do not stand for any specific words but are a declaration by the manufacturer that his product meets the requirements of the applicable European Directive(s).

Combi Boiler Unit which combines both a central heating water heat exchanger and a domestic water heater in one compact, self-contained unit. Unlike an vented heating and hot water system, a combi does not store hot water, rather it heats water as and when required either directly from the cold mains (for the domestic hot water) or within a pressurised 'sealed' central heating loop.

Convector Refers to a class of devices in which the source of heat is not directly exposed, radiators in theory are convectors as they convect heat.

Central Heating Hot water is generated in a central boiler, and circulated by pumps through radiators within the building.There are two types: Single-pipe and double-pipe. The single-pipe radiators work with steam, while the double-pipe radiators work with steam or hot water.

Centres The distance between the tappings on the radiator.

Clearances When siting radiators it is important to remember to leave adequate clearances for heat circulation and valve installation. The recommended height from the floor to the base of the radiator is 150mm.

Closed System Central heating system which is closed to the external water supply. Most newer systems are designed this way as it helps prevent oxidization from fresh water. Most closed systems will have rust inhibitor and boiler noise silencer added to it.

Delta The measurement in which heat output is measured: whereby the temperature of the room is compared against the internal temperature of the radiator. Normally given as either T50 (lowest value, most common), T60 or T70 (highest value).

Dual Fuel Radiator where either an element or the central heating system can be used as the heat source, as both are connected through use of a T-Piece. Element would be used in the summertime when only the heated towel rail would be in use.

Element Probe inserted into a radiator with which it heats the solution on an electric radiator.

EN442 Radiators sold in the UK have to conform and have outputs verified to BSEN442 the European standard for radiators. All radiator literature needs to display BSEN442 compliance, this enables specifiers to show compliance with the European construction products directive.

Fins Waves of metal fitted to the back of standard panel radiators to help convect the heat.

Floor to Centre of Inlet Distance from the floor up the centre of the inlet.

Flow and Return Central heating system whereby the water flows into the radiators one side and returns to the system to be heated up again out of the other side.

IP Rating An international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") followed by two or three digits. Our elements are IP54 rated.

The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts.

The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture.

Lockshield Fitted at the return side of each designer radiator (coupled with a standard valve) and used to balance the system when it is first installed. Generally there is no need to adjust them once set (they are normally covered with a cap), if they are closed to allow for the removal of a designer radiator, count the turns to the off position so that they can be reset when required.

Micro Bore System A central heating system with 10mm pipes as oppose to the standard 15mm diameter pipes.

Open System Central heating system which is open to the external water supply into a house, normally older systems are made this way, as it allows oxidization easier as the water is fresh and doesn’t contain any boiler noise silencer or rust inhibitor.

Pipe Centres The distance between the tappings on the designer radiator.

Pressure Pressure of water running through a central heating system, which is required so the water flows through all designer radiators and fills them to prevent air from trappig in certain places and cold spots in the system.

Pressure Testing Designer radiators should be high pressure tested to 152.3 PSI (10.5 bar) to perform at a maximum working pressure of 116 PSI (8 bar) at a maximum temperature of 95°C. This enables that whatever the heating application from conventional pressurised domestic to high rise installations or commercial projects the designer radiator can be specified with confidence.

PTFE Tape Sealing tape used around the tapping threads to ensure a water tight seal. (Polytetrafluorethylene Tape)

Radiator Devices in which a liquid circulates through exposed pipes (often with fins or other means of increasing surface area), notwithstanding that such devices tend to transfer heat mainly by convection and might logically be called convectors..

Rust Inhibitor Solution added to a central heating system or an electric radiator (closed unit) to minimise the prevent any chrome within from rusting.

Single Heat Where a temperature is pre set to regulate and main at the sole setting (ie 65 degrees).

Stab (the pipes) Term used by plumbers where they will stab the pipes through the floor or the wall ready for the designer radiator to be fitted to them.

T-Piece Accessory fitted to a tapping to allow both a valve and element to be fitted to the same entry point for a dual fuel system.

Tung Fed Refers to a central heating system where a water tank is used to feed the system with water.

Tails The copper pipes that are connected to the designer radiator.

Tappings The thread drilled into the designer radiator where the radiator valves/element will screw into.

Thermostatic Whereby heat is regulated to reach and maintain a certain temperature.

Thermostatic Valves (TRV) Radiator control valves which automatically opens and closes as necessary to achieve the pre-set room air temperature.

Top Bottom Same End (TBSE) or Top Bottom Opposite End (TBOE) Where the tappings are duplicated and placed on both ends (both side same end or both sides opposite ends) of the designer radiator. These connections are often used in commercial or elderly applications where top valve mounting is advantageous. A further advantage is that the radiator can be mounted either way up. Most Geyser Designer Radiators have the tappings at both ends.

Valve Entry The thread created in the radiator where the valves/element will screw into.

Variable Heat Where the temperature can be manually controlled to reach a desired temperature.

Wall to Centre of Inlet Distance from the wall to the centre of the tapping.

Watts Electric rating, which can be used to specify the electric current. Heat outputs can also be given in watts and kilo watts. Watts = BTU divided by 3.41.

Zones Using electrical equipment in bath or shower rooms need extra care to ensure safety. As a result IEE Wiring Regulations have identified particular zones within the bathroom to indicate what type of electrical equipment that can be installed and where.