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21st Century Solution for 18th Century Castle
Story
The 18th century Inveraray Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne in Scotland has been fitted with central heating for the first time in its history using REHAU’s PE-Xa flexible pipework.
REHAU’s 32mm, 25mm, 20mm and 16mm RAUTHERM pipe has been used for parts of a new heating system on the castle’s three floors and for a refit of the domestic pipework to many of its bathrooms.
Consultants Irons Foulner chose REHAU’s flexible polymer system because it could be installed with minimum disruption to the flooring in the classical Gothic style castle and, using long pipe runs, could successfully negotiate the many obstructions within the floor void.
In many sections of the castle, the copper alternative would have taken much longer to install because of the large number of joints which would have been required and would have meant lifting large sections of the two hundred year old flooring.
Due to the age and structure of the building, the client in conjunction with Irons Foulner also asked REHAU to provide a solution for protecting the pipe in some areas from rodents. Its international resources meant REHAU was able to supply a product it had originally developed for use in the Southern Hemisphere called RAUGUARD. This is a galvanised steel sleeve available to suit most pipe sizes.
The REHAU system was installed by specialist contractors Taylor and Fraser, supported by the team at REHAU’s regional sales office in Glasgow.
Irons Foulner preferred the REHAU system to other polymer pipework because it has been proven in use for so many years across Europe and the UK. The BS7291 and WRAS approved RAUTHERM pipework is resistant to thermal ageing, cracking and scale build up and, along with the patented Everloc compression sleeve jointing system, is fully warrantied by REHAU.
Inveraray Castle is home to the 13th Duke of Argyll and his family, Chief of the historic Clan Campbell. Many parts of the picturesque castle’s ground floor and extensive grounds are open to the public, but the upper floors where most of the RAUTHERM pipework has been installed remain a family home.
