Standards Development

Scope

This British Standard describes a method of test for the assessment of performance of chemical inhibitors for corrosion and scale inhibition and compatibility with non-metallic components in domestic central heating and cooling water systems.

NOTE 1 BS 7593 gives recommendations for the preparation, commissioning and maintenance of domestic central heating and cooling water systems.

It does not apply to commercial or municipal premises or to multiple residential premises served by one common circuit, unless that common circuit can be effectively cleaned and flushed with domestic equipment. It does apply to individual heating and cooling circuits within individual dwellings in multiple residential premises.

NOTE 2 The temperatures used within the test standard relate to the temperatures experienced in traditional UK domestic heating systems which utilise boilers. Whilst many systems operate at lower temperatures, testing at the highest expected temperature verifies the universal suitability, quality and longevity of the inhibitors being tested. 

NOTE 3 For specialized closed circuits, such as those containing solar thermal panels and ground source heat pump loops, the manufacturer’s instructions can be referred to. See also BS 5918 (for solar thermal) and MIS 3005 [1] (for ground source heat pumps).

NOTE 4 For larger closed heating systems such as found in commercial or municipal premises, or the primary systems on residential developments, refer to BSRIA BG 29 [2] and BSRIA BG 50 [3].