Onix Tubing Installation Manual

Watts Radiant: Onix Installation Manual page 7
such as supply and return lines for
baseboard and fan coils.
Onix has a revolutionary oxygen barri-
er, AlumaShield, a ductile aluminum
that prevents unwanted oxygen perme-
ation. Less oxygen in a hydronic sys-
tem means lower corrosion and longer
life to system components such as
boilers and pumps.
From a design stand point, Onix offers
an additional advantage over other
piping options - no linear expansion.
Since Onix is a multi-extrusion EPDM
product, it is dimensionally stable over
its operational temperature range. No
movement due to expansion means no
unwanted wear of the tubing, no noise
and no stress points.
All of these features relate to one
major benefit - longevity. Onix carries
an estimated life span of over
3,000,000 hours, or approximately
340 years under normal operating con-
ditions. Independent lab testing has
rated Onix among the most stable
materials we have ever reviewed.
Onix Sizes
Watts Radiant offers a wide range of
Onix sizes, from 3/8" to 1" internal
diameter. It is a misconceived notion
that a larger diameter tubing will offer
greater heat output. A 3/8" circuit of
Onix will generate the same amount of
heat output as 1/2". The main differ-
ence is the flow capability. Larger
diameter tubing allow for the same
flow rates at lower head pressures, or
friction loss. For most residential and
light commercial heating, 200 ft.
lengths of 3/8" Onix are used. For
snowmelting and larger commercial
applications, 1/2", 5/8" and even 3/4"
Onix are used.
The Design Process
For all radiant projects, both large and
small, a system design should be per-
formed. This design should include, at
minimum, a radiant heat loss calcula-
tion, minimum tubing requirements
and pump size calculations.
Watts Radiant s RadiantWorks
®
design
software should be used to account
for all building specifications and all
system components. A copy of
RadiantWorks can be obtained through
your local Watts Radiant representa-
tive. A demo version of the program
can be downloaded from our website:
www.wattsradiant.com.
Keep in mind, conventional heat loss
calculations can be used to size a radi-
ant heating system, however they will
tend to over-estimate the actual heat
loss that a radiant building experi-
ences. In this manual, the design steps
and the report examples shown are
from Watts Radiant s RadiantWorks
design software.
Should additional information about
design, controls or other radiant appli-
cations be required, please call your
local Watts Radiant representative or
the Watts Radiant design department
for assistance.
General Design Process
I.D. Bend Fluid Volume Typical Max Max Factory
Size Radius per 1,000 ft. Installed Length Length*
3/8" . . . . . . . . .3" . . . . . . . . . .6.25 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 ft. . . . . . . . . . . . .600 ft.
1/2" . . . . . . . . .4" . . . . . . . . . .10.25 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . .300 ft. . . . . . . . . . . . .600 ft.
5/8" . . . . . . . . .5" . . . . . . . . . .16.0 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . . .400 ft. . . . . . . . . . . . .600 ft.
3/4" . . . . . . . . .6" . . . . . . . . . .25.00 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . .500 ft. . . . . . . . . . . . .400 ft.
1" . . . . . . . . .8" . . . . . . . . . .45.00 gal. . . . . . . . . . . . .600 ft. . . . . . . . . . . . .200 ft.
*Lengths indicated are non-factory spliced lengths. Longer factory spliced lengths are available upon request.
R4"
R3"
8"6"
4"
R3"
Typical bend radii for 3/8" diameter Onix. Larger diameter tubing will require larger bend radii.
HiGuard™
Industrial Cover
Aramid™ Fiber
Reinforcing
Contour
Extrusion Layer
AlumaShield™
Oxygen Barrier
Durel™
Inner Tubing