EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT

NORME EUROPÉENNE prEN 15377-2

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2005

ICS

English Version

Heating systems in buildings - Design of embedded water based

surface heating and cooling systems - Part 2: Design,
dimensioning and installation

Conception des systèmes de chauffage et refroidissement Heizungssysteme in Gebäuden - Flächen-Heizung und

par le sol, le mur et le plafond - Partie 2 : Conception, Kühlung - Teil 2 : Planung. Auslegung und Installation
dimensionnement et Installation

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 228.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 15377-2:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
prEN 15377-2:2005 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................5
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................5
3 Terms, definitions and symbols...........................................................................................................5
4 Basic principles .....................................................................................................................................5
5 Boundary conditions and limits ...........................................................................................................7
6 Design ...................................................................................................................................................10
7 Peripheral areas by floor heating.......................................................................................................14
8 Installation ............................................................................................................................................14
Annex A (informative) Oxygen barrier layer .................................................................................................17

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Foreword
This document (prEN 15377-2:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 228 “Heating
systems in buildings”, the secretariat of which is held by DS.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.

The subjects covered by CEN/TC 228 are the following:

- design of heating systems (water based, electrical etc.);

- installation of heating systems;

- commissioning of heating systems;

- instructions for operation, maintenance and use of heating systems;

- methods for calculation of the design heat loss and heat loads;

- methods for calculation of the energy performance of heating systems.

Heating systems also include the effect of attached systems such as hot water production systems.

All these standards are systems standards, i.e. they are based on requirements addressed to the system as a
whole and not dealing with requirements to the products within the system.

Where possible, reference is made to other European or International Standards, a.o. product standards.
However, use of products complying with relevant product standards is no guarantee of compliance with the
system requirements.

The requirements are mainly expressed as functional requirements, i.e. requirements dealing with the function
of the system and not specifying shape, material, dimensions or the like.

The guidelines describe ways to meet the requirements, but other ways to fulfil the functional requirements
might be used if fulfilment can be proved.

Heating systems differ among the member countries due to climate, traditions and national regulations. In
some cases requirements are given as classes so national or individual needs may be accommodated.

In cases where the standards contradict with national regulations, the latter should be followed.

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Introduction
This document for embedded, water based surface heating and cooling systems in buildings is a part of a
series of standards consisting of the following parts :

 Part 1 : Determination of heating and cooling capacity

 Part 2 : Design, dimensioning and installation

 Part 3: Dynamic considerations

This standard specifies procedures and conditions for design, dimensioning and installation. Based on heating
and cooling load calculations and determination of heating and cooling performance according to part 1 of this
standard and EN1264-2 (new revised test standard), respectively, the present part specifies the calculation of
characteristic curves, which shows the relationship between heat flow density and the determining variables.

The water flow rate is calculated using recommended values for the temperature difference between supply
and return water temperature.

Special design considerations are given for systems, which are used for both heating and cooling purposes.
Further, requirements related to installation are included.

This standard substitutes EN 1264-3 and EN 1264-4.

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1 Scope
This document is applicable to water based surface heating and cooling systems in buildings as defined in
part 1 of this standard.

Physiological limitations are taken into account when specifying the maximum and minimum surface
temperature. The design is based on performance characteristic curves and limit curves calculated in
accordance with part 1 of this standard.

Design considerations for heating and cooling systems are given.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 1057, Copper and copper alloys – Seamless, round copper tubes for water and gas in sanitary and
heating applications

EN1264-1*):1999, Floor heating: Systems and components - Part 1: Definitions and symbols

EN1264-2*):1999, Floor heating: Systems and components - Part 2: Determination of the thermal output

EN1264-3*):1999, Floor heating: Systems and components - Part 3: Dimensioning

EN 1264-4*):2001, Floor heating: Systems and components – Part 4: Installation

EN12828:2003, Heating systems in buildings - Design for water based heating systems

EN12831:2003, Heating systems in buildings - Method for calculation of the design heat load

EN 12202-1, Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water – Polypropylene (PP) – Part 1: General

EN12319-1, Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water – Polybutylene (PB) – Part 1: General

ISO 13370, Thermal performance of buildings – Heat transfer via the ground – Calculation Methods

*) Note: After issuing the present standard, EN 1264 will be revised into a test standard.

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

For the purposes of this standard, the terms, definitions and symbols given in part 1 of this standard apply.

4 Basic principles

4.1 Heating or cooling medium differential temperature

The heating or cooling medium differential temperature ∆θ H is calculated as follows (refer to part 1 of this
standard):

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prEN 15377-2:2005 (E)

θV −θR
∆θ H = (1)
θ − θi
ln V
θR − θi
In this way, the effect of the temperature drop is taken into account.

4.2 Performance characteristic curve

The performance characteristic curve describes the relationship between the heat flow density q of a system
and the required heating or cooling medium differential temperature.

As a simplification, the heat flow density is taken to be proportional to the differential temperature of the
heating or cooling medium:

(2)
q = KH ∆θ H
.

where KH is the equivalent heat transmission coefficient determined by one of the following depending on the
type of system:

= B ⋅ ∏ (a i i ) in accordance with annex A in part 1 of this standard;

m

= 1/(Rw + Rr + Rx + Ri ) in accordance with annex B in part 1 of this standard;

= 1/(RHC + Ri ) in accordance with annex C in part 1 of this standard;

KH may also be determined by Finite Element Method or Finite Difference Method calculations according to
annex D in part 1 of this standard.

4.3 Field of system characteristic curves

The field of characteristic curves of a surface heating or cooling system with a specific pipe spacing, T, shall at
least contain performance characteristic curves for no covering, Rλ,B = 0, and – for floor systems –
additionally for three different values of heat conduction resistance of the covering, in accordance with part 1
of this standard. Further, the limit curves shall be included (see Figure 1). If the field of characteristic curves is
based on experimental testing (see part 1 of this standard and EN 1264-2), it is acceptable to provide
performance characteristic curves by testing for no covering, Rλ,B = 0, and for heat conduction resistance of
the covering, Rλ,B = 0,15 m² K/W, and establish the remaining performance characteristic curves by linear
interpolation.

4.4 Limit curves

The limit curves in the field of system characteristic curves describe the relationship between the heating or
cooling medium differential temperature and the heat flow density for the limit case, with a temperature drop
between supply and return water, ∆θ water , and the specified maximum or minimum surface temperature,
θF,max 1), based on the physiologically agreed limit value given in annex H in part 1 of this standard, is
reached.

For design purposes, the limit curves apply for determination of heat flow densities and associated differential
temperatures, where

1) National regulations can limit the temperature to a lower or higher value

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0 K < ∆θ water ≤ 5 K

In case the limiting surface temperature is based on an average surface temperature (e.g. heated ceiling-
radiant temperature asymmetry), the limiting value is constant, i.e. represented by a vertical line in Figure 1.

The limit curves are used to specify the maximum or minimum permissible heat flow (refer also to Figure 1).

Figure 1: Field of system characteristic curves including limit curves, for constant pipe spacing.
This example is for space temperature = 20 °C

5 Boundary conditions and limits

5.1 Supply pipes to adjacent rooms

Pipes passing through an adjacent space may contribute to the heating or cooling of this space, but may also
result in over heating or over cooling of the space. This shall be taken into account in the design (better pipe
layout, insulation of pipes, etc., refer to EN 12828).

5.2 Back-side thermal insulation

In order to limit the heat flow towards the outside or to adjacent spaces, a minimum thermal resistance of the
insulating layer, Rλ, ins2), shall be specified in the design.

2) A higher thermal resistance between the heating or cooling plane and the backside also reduces any
unwanted influences on the temperature in the room below (e.g. bedroom). It is recommended, particularly in
multi-family houses, that a higher thermal resistance be selected than given here.

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In part 1 of this standard, the methods in annex B (for systems of type E) and annex C (for systems of type F)
include calculation of the back-side thermal resistance from the conditioned space.

For systems of type A, B, C and D (see annex A in part 1 of this standard), the back-side resistance is
calculated by:

sins (3)
R λ,ins =
λ ins
where

sins effective thickness of the insulating layer in m

λins thermal conductivity of the insulating layer in W/(m.K).

The effective thickness of the insulating layer, sins, depends on the construction of the surface heating or
cooling system.

For embedded systems with flat thermal insulating panels (see Figure 2), the effective thickness is identical to
the physical thickness of the thermal insulating panel.

Figure 2: Effective thickness of insulating layer for flat thermal insulating panels

For embedded systems with profiled thermal insulating panels (see Figure 3), a surface-related weighted
calculation is made for determining the effective thickness of the insulating layer:

sh ⋅ (T − D ) + sl ⋅ D (4)
sins =
T

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Figure 3: Effective thickness of the insulating layer for profiled thermal insulating panels

For profiled thermal insulating panels shaped differently from that shown in Figure 3, the effective thickness of
the insulating layer shall be determined mathematically, as appropriate, correspondingly to equation (4).

The insulating layers of an embedded floor heating system shall comply with the minimum thermal resistances given in
Table 1, depending on the thermal conditions under the floor structure.

Table 1 : Minimum thermal resistance of insulating layers (m2⋅K/W) below the floor heating system

Thermal external air temperature below

condition
under floor external design external design external design
structure heated Unheated or
temperature temperature temperature
room intermittent heated
room or directly on
the ground (*) Td ≥ 0°C 0°C > Td ≥ -5°C -5°C > Td ≥ -15°C

thermal
resistance

0,75 1,25 1,25 1,50 2,00

(m2⋅ K/W)

*) With ground water level ≤ 5m, the value should be increased. The “effective” thermal resistance calculated
according to EN 12831 or EN 13990 shall be used. This is especially important for large buildings. National
building codes may require higher insulation levels.

For other heated or cooled surfaces, required minimum insulation levels or maximum energy losses shall be
specified, taking into account type of adjacent space and design temperature level.

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6 Design

6.1 Design heat flow density

Normally, the design heat flow, Q F , of the surface heating or cooling system shall equal the nominal heating
or cooling load, Q N,f . In case additional heating or cooling is provided by other sources, the design heat flow
of the surface heating or cooling system is reduced accordingly to provide the remaining heat demand for the
room.

The design heat flow density is calculated by:

QF (5)
qs,des =
AF
where:

QF Heat flow of the heating or cooling system

AF Heated or cooled area

The heat transfer of the entire surface fitted with heating or cooling profiles, QF, is proportional to the length of
pipe laid:

(6)
QF = q ⋅T ⋅ LR
where:

T pipe spacing

LR calculated pipe length, = AF / T (with no particular consideration given to the pipe bends)

For systems including a peripheral area (see 7), the heat flow density shall be distributed between the
peripheral area AR and the occupied area AA according to a surface area related weighted calculation:

AR A (7)
q= ⋅ qR + A ⋅ q A
AF AF
where:

qR heat flow density of peripheral area

qA heat flow density of occupied area

6.2 Required length of the heating or cooling circuit

The required length of the heating or cooling circuit, LR , is estimated by:

AF
LR =
T

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6.3 Procedure for determining the design supply temperature

6.3.1 System only for heating.

The design supply temperature is determined for the room with the highest design heat flow density, qmax . It
is assumed, that surface coverings (carpet, tiles, acoustic plates, etc.) with a uniform heat conduction
resistance are used in the rooms being heated. The thermal resistance of the covering used for the design
must be documented. It is recommended, that a temperature drop σ ≤ 5 K is specified for the room used for
the design. This is to be considered, in case a sub-division of this room into heating circuits becomes
necessary.

Under these conditions, the limit heat flow density is to be regarded as equal to the maximum heat flow
density for design of the heating3), see Figure 4.

For the room with qmax, a pipe spacing of the system is chosen with which qmax remains less than or equal to
the limit heat flow density, qG, specified by the limit curve: (qmax ≤ qG, see Figure 4). In case of qmax < qG,
permissible design heating medium differential supply temperatures are ∆θV,des ≤ ∆θH,G + 2,5K. The maximum
permissible differential supply temperature is:

σ (8)
∆θ V,des ≤ ∆θH,des + where ∆θH,des ≤ ∆θH,G
2
Equation (8) applies if σ / ∆θH ≤ 0,5. For a temperature drop σ = 5 K this means, that ∆θH ≥ 10 K.

If the ratio (σ / ∆θH) > 0,5, the following applies:

σ σ2 (9)
∆θ V,des = ∆θH,des + +
2 12 ∆θH,des

3) This means that above the supply pipe, the maximum surface temperature θF,max - corresponding to the
excess temperature of the heating medium increased by σ/2 - can be exceeded with respect to the centre of
the room.

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prEN 15377-2:2005 (E)

Figure 4: Determination of the design supply temperature and temperature drop σj for the other
rooms

For all other rooms operated at the same differential supply temperature, ∆θV,des, the associated temperature
drops for determining the water flow for (σj/∆θH,j) < 0,5 shall be plotted from the field of characteristic curves
(see Figure 4) or calculated according to:

σj (10)
= ∆θV,des − ∆θH,j
2
using the heating medium differential temperatures ∆θH,j corresponding to the various heat flow densities qj.

For (σj/∆θH,j) > 0,5, the temperature drop σj is calculated as follows:

 1

 4 ( ∆θ − ∆θ )  2
σ j = 3∆θ H, j 1 +
V, des H, j
 − 1 (11)
3∆θ H, j  
  
If the value qs,des according to equation (5) cannot be obtained under the aforementioned conditions by any
pipe spacing for the room used for the design, it is recommended to include a peripheral area and/or to
provide alternative additional heating surfaces. The additional heating surfaces shall be selected to suit the
purpose and location. The additionally required heat flow, Qout , is determined by:

(12)
Qout = Q N , f − QF
In this case, the maximum design heat flow density for the embedded system may now occur in another room.

6.3.2 System only for cooling

The same procedure as for systems only for heating (ref. 6.3.1) applies, with the following additional
consideration: as the cooling power may be limited by the dew point, it is important to design surface cooling
systems with:

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 minimum resistance of the covering;

 small temperature drop ( σ ≈ 3 − 5 K );

 shorter pipe spacing.

6.4 Procedure for determining the design heating or cooling medium flow rate

It is recommended to design for the same flow rate for heating and for cooling. In this way, no adjustments of
balancing valves, etc. are required when switching between heating and cooling. One way to change the flow
rate between heating and cooling is to apply a circulation pump with different settings.

The design medium flow rate mH of a surface heating or cooling circuit is calculated as follows:

AF ⋅ q  Ro θ i − θ u  (13)
mH = 1 + + 
σ ⋅ c w  Ru q ⋅ Ru 
where:

cW specific heat capacity of the water = 4190 J/kg.K 4)

Ro partial inwards heat transmission resistance of the structure

Ru partial outwards heat transmission resistance of the structure

The partial inwards heat transmission resistance of the structure, Ro, covers the inward heat conduction and
heat transmission resistances:

1 su (14)
Ro = + Rλ , B +
α λu
where:

α depends on the type of surface (floor, wall, ceiling) and the type of system (heating or cooling), see
part 1 of this standard

The partial outwards heat transmission resistance of the structure, Ru , covers the back-side heat conduction
and heat transmission resistances.

Ru = Rλ ,ins + Rλ ,ceiling + Rλ ,Plaster + Rα ,ceiling (15)

As an example, the arrangement of the individual resistances for a floor construction is shown in Figure 5:

4) When using this numerical value, q in W/m2 is used in equation (13); mH is then produced in kg/s.

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Figure 5: Schematic construction of a ceiling structure with hot water floor heating

7 Peripheral areas by floor heating

The peripheral area, AR, with an increased surface temperature (up to a maximum of 35 °C) is generally
situated along the outer walls of a room with a maximum width of 1 m.

As described in 6, design of peripheral areas is based on a higher limit curve, θF,max − θi = 15 K , see Figure 1.
In case a series circuit is formed with a heating circuit in the occupied area, the temperature drop in the
peripheral area shall be selected, so that the supply differential temperature, calculated from the lower limit
curve, is not exceeded by entry of the heating medium from the peripheral area into the occupied area.

8 Installation

8.1 General

This clause provides the main requirements for installation of embedded pipe systems. As a general
requirement, the manufacturer's instructions must be followed.

Other requirements are given specifically for:

 equipment (see 8.2)

 installation of piping (see 8.3)

 leak test (see 8.4)

 initial heating up (see 8.5)

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8.2 Equipment

8.2.1 General

To guarantee the operation of embedded pipe systems, some minimum requirements to the equipment is
specified.

8.2.2 Safety

A safety device, independent of the control unit, and which operates even in the absence of electric power,
shall cut off the heat supply in the surface heating circuit in such a way, that the temperature around the
heating elements does not exceed the specified temperature limits for the embedded layer ( screed, wood ).

The maximum temperature around the heating elements in the screed shall not exceed 55°C. For screed
materials other than concrete, this value can be reduced, e.g. for asphalt screed to 45°C and for anhydrite
screed to a maximum temperature specified by the manufacturer.

8.2.3 Stop valves and balancing devices

If balancing is not obtained by equal loop design, each loop shall have two stop valves and a balancing device.
The shut-off and balancing functions shall be independent.

If individual room control is required, at least one loop per heated room shall be installed in order to permit
either manual or automatic temperature control.

8.2.4 Control

For surface cooling systems, a control device must be installed to prevent condensation on the cooled surface.

8.2.5 Piping (pipes and couplings)

Dimensions of plastic pipes shall comply with the requirements of the following European Standards :

 PE-X: EN 12318-1
 PB EN 12319-1
 PP EN 12202-1

It is recommended to use pipes with an oxygen-barrier layer in conformity with annex A. Precautions shall be
taken to protect the system against corrosion.

Copper piping shall comply with the requirements of EN 1057 (for pipes) and EN 1254 (for fittings).

8.3 Installation of piping

8.3.1 Storage and transport.

Upon delivery at the worksite, the pipes shall be transported, stored and handled in such a way as:

 to be protected from anything which could damage the pipes;

 for plastic pipes: not to be exposed to direct sunlight.

8.3.2 Bending radius

The bending radius shall not be less than the minimum bending radius defined in the relevant product
standards (see EN 1057, EN 12202, EN 12318, EN 12319).

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8.3.3 Couplings

All couplings within the embedded construction shall be exactly located and designated on the record drawing.

8.3.4 Joints

For heating screeds intended for the application of stone or ceramic coverings, joint areas shall not exceed
2
40 m with a maximum length of 8 m. In the case of rectangular rooms, joint areas can exceed these
dimensions but maximum to the length relation of 2 to 1.

If induced contraction joints are placed in heating screeds, these may be cut a depth of no more than one third
of the screed thickness – subject to consideration of the location of pipes in systems of type A (see part 1 of
this standard) – and shall be sealed after heating up.

The heating system installer shall be supplied with a plan, as part of the specifications, showing the joint
positions.

In the case of heating screeds of type A and C (see part 1 of this standard), movement joints and perimeter
joints shall only be crossed by connecting pipes and only in one level. In this case, the connecting pipes shall
be covered with a flexible insulation tube of some 0,3 m in length.

NOTE: As far as possible, the placing of settlement joints should begin from nooks (e.g. on pilasters and fireplaces), i.e. at
points where an expansion or narrowing of the screed surface has occurred. Dummy or settlement joints are placed in
door reveals and passageways.

8.3.5 Holes in the embedded surface

Every hole in the embedded surface shall have been performed before the pipes are installed in order to avoid
any drilling after installation of the pipes.

8.4 Leak test

Prior to embedding in screed or concrete, the pipe circuits shall be checked for leaks by means of a water (or
other type) pressure test. The test pressure shall be twice the working pressure with a minimum of 6 bar.
During the laying of the screed, this pressure shall be applied to the pipes.

The result of the leak test (i.e. absence of leaks) and the test pressure shall be recorded in a test report.

If there is a risk of freezing, suitable measures shall be taken, such as use of frost protective, air-pressure or
conditioning of the building.

If no further frost protection is necessary for normal operation of the system, the frost protective shall be
drained and the system shall be flushed using at least 3 changes of water.

8.5 Initial heating up

This operation shall be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, but at least 7 days for
systems with anhydrite screeds.

The initial heating up commences at a supply temperature between 20 and 25°C, which shall be maintained
for at least 3 days. Subsequently, the maximum design temperature shall be imposed.

The process of heating up shall be documented.

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Annex A
(informative)
Oxygen barrier layer

In order to reduce corrosion problems, when combining plastic pipes with corrodable materials in heating
installations, plastic pipes carrying an oxygen barrier layer could be used. The oxygen permeability should be
less than or equal to (0,1 g/m3· d) at a water temperature of 40°C, where d is the average outer diameter of
the pipe. The reference value of volume is the inside volume of the pipe.

NOTE : The test is executed on a pipe section of a length of at least 20 m; 10% of it is coiled around a core with a
diameter of 9 d (d =average outer diameter of the pipe). The coiled pipe section is fixed firmly to the core. A load free
relaxation of 24 hours is allowed after assemblage. Subsequently, the pipe system is submitted to temperature changes
alternating every 15 minutes, with a switching time of (60 ± 30) s, during which warm water of 70°C ± 2K and cold water of
≤ 20°C flows through the pipe at an excess pressure of 3 bar. This thermal shock stress is maintained for 28 days.

Subsequently, the oxygen permeability is measured at a mean temperature of 40°C ± 2K. The difference in temperature
between inflow and outflow of the plastic pipe does not exceed 4K. Three individual measurements are executed. The
highest and the lowest value should not differ by more than (0,02g/m3·d).

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