Pressure in the heating system of an apartment building

Comprehending the concept of pressure is essential to comprehending the workings of an apartment building’s heating system. It’s an essential component that guarantees the warmth and comfort of your house throughout the winter. The force that water or steam exerts as it circulates through pipes and radiators to distribute heat throughout the building is known as pressure in a heating system.

Consider the network of interconnected arteries that makes up your heating system. Similar to blood pressure in your body, this network’s pressure is essential to the system’s proper operation. If there is too much pressure, you run the risk of damaging the system or even causing leaks; if there is too little pressure, the heat won’t reach every corner of your apartment.

The kind of heating system in use is one important factor affecting pressure. The heating systems found in apartment buildings are typically either steam or hot water based. Every system has different pressure requirements and ways to keep itself operating at peak efficiency.

Variations in pressure can be caused by a number of things, including trapped air in the system, temperature changes, or boiler problems. For the system to function effectively and safely, homeowners and building managers must comprehend these fluctuations.

We go further into the nuances of pressure in apartment building heating systems in this article. In order to enable you to keep your home comfortably heated while maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing maintenance headaches, we aim to provide insights ranging from the fundamentals of how pressure is generated and maintained to common issues that can arise and how to address them.

How to measure

The pressure gauge is the instrument used to measure the system’s pressure. These devices are placed in the building’s basement and display the value at the front door. Installing a pressure gauge in your apartment will allow you to continuously check the state of the pipeline. It needs to be installed by cutting a hole in a pipe at the heating radiator’s entrance.

How a pressure gauge to measure system pressure should look

The causes of unstable pressure

In apartment buildings that have been in use for a long time, residents frequently start replacing heating devices without permission. Because of the frequent drop in pressure that results from this, every resident of a multi-story building becomes an unwilling victim. There are numerous justifications for indicator changes:

  1. Pipe diameter. When designing the heat supply, the necessary diameter of the pipes was set to provide appropriate pressure. As a result of the unauthorized replacement of pipes in certain areas, it increases (if the replacement is made on pipes of smaller diameter) or decreases (if the diameter of the pipes is larger).
  2. Air traffic jams. In the process of repair work or as a result of the chemical reaction of the coolant and heating devices, air cork may form in the system. It greatly complicates the circulation of the coolant, as a result of which the load is reduced.
  3. Wear of heating devices, pipelines and locking reinforcement. Over the years during operation, the main components of the pipeline are destroyed. In addition, in heating devices and pipes, scale, garbage and other impurities are constantly being deposited. This significantly worsens the quality of the coolant and reduces its load.
  4. Emergency case. If, as a result of wear of equipment or poorly performed repair and installation works, a leak of the coolant is formed, then the load is reduced.
  5. During the launch of the system. To fill all heating devices with the coolant, the pressure significantly exceeds the working.

Clothed pipeline before and after cleaning

Leaks in a worn system frequently appear during tests with higher loads applied. As a result, it’s essential to replace outdated machinery and fix any visible malfunctions.

Pressure drops

There are numerous causes of the pressure change, all of which must be removed for the heating to be effective. A private home with an autonomous heating system can accomplish this more easily, but high-rise buildings may also experience some of the following events:

  1. When replacing pipes, it is important that the new pipes are the same diameter as the old. True, in the conditions of an apartment building you cannot keep track of the neighbors from above or below, it remains to hope for their prudence. If this happens, you must contact the organization responsible for the operation of the heat power supply. They must find out the causes of changes.
  2. On each heating radiator, a device is installed for air release, it is called the crane of Maevsky. The uneven heating of the radiator, extraneous noises and vibration in the system speaks of disrepair. In this case, it is necessary to open the maevsky crane with a special key or screwdriver and release air. Water will flow out with air, so you need to first put the container for it. With the help of the Maevsky crane, air is released from the radiator. To release air out of the system, an automatic air vent is arranged at its highest point.
  3. In case of equipment wear, it is necessary to replace all the old batteries and the rustle shut -off valves. You also need to rinse the pipeline, but for a multi -storey building, the organization is performed by the organization responsible for the state of the heating system in the house. Such events will help increase pressure.
  4. If there is an emergency case, it is urgent to inform the master on the site, which will block the heat carrier and will repair the pipeline or call the team of qualified specialists, depending on the scale of the incident.

Maevsky crane on a radiator for air descent

High temperatures can cause plastic pipes to expand slightly.

The pressure drops. Video

Watching this video will provide you with the explanation for why the water pressure in the system decreases.

Frequent monitoring of the heating system’s pressure will assist in determining when action is required in response to an increase or decrease in it. They are both detrimental to the heat source. If you are able to remove the load difference’s cause on your own, you must understand how and when to do so. In the event that this isn’t feasible, you must get in touch with the relevant person.

Pressure in the heating system of a multi -storey building

What pressure should the high-rise building be at?

This article will teach you how much pressure is considered normal in a multi-story building’s heating system, why there are variations in pressure, and how to fix issues. We will also discuss how to determine the best radiators for the system and how to check the contour for strength.

Pressure in the central heating system

High pressure in the central heating system of an apartment building is necessary in order to raise the coolant to the upper floors. In high -heems, circulation occurs from top to bottom. The feed is carried out by boiler rooms using superchargers. These are electric pumps that disperse hot water. The testimony of the manometer on the reverse stream depends on the height of the building. Knowing what pressure in the heating system of a multi -storey building is expected, the appropriate equipment is selected. For a nine -story building, this indicator will be approximately three atmospheres. The calculation is based on the fact that one atmosphere raises the flow by ten meters. Ceiling height is approximately 2.75 m. We will also take into account a gap of five meters on the basement and technical floor. Based on this calculation, you can find out what pressure should be in the heating system of a multi -storey building of any height.

The temperature and pressure distribution within an apartment building’s elevator node

Central city and housing and communal networks are divided by elevators. The elevator is a node through which the coolant is supplied to the heating system of a high -rise building. It mixes the feed and flow flow, depending on what pressure is required for heating of an apartment building. The elevator design has a mixing camera with an adjustable hole. It is called a nozzle. Nozzle adjustment allows you to change the temperature and pressure in the heating system of a multi -storey building. Hot water in the mixing chamber is mixed with water from the reverse flow and involves it in a new cycle. By changing the size of the nozzle hole, you can reduce or increase the amount of hot water. This will lead to a change in temperature in the radiators of apartments and a change in pressure. The temperature in the heating system of the house at the entrance is 90 degrees.

Causes of pressure drops in heating an apartment building

In apartment buildings, the supply pressure for heating is greater than the return pressure. A two-bar normal deviation is present. Boiler houses typically operate by providing the system with coolant at a pressure greater than seven bar. The heating system is reached at about six bar. The hydraulic resistance and the branches in residential and communal networks are impacted by the flow. The manometer will display four bars upon return. An apartment building’s pressure differential in heating may be brought on by:

  • air traffic;
  • leakage;
  • failure of the system elements.

In real life, variations frequently happen. The internal pipe diameter and coolant temperature have a major impact on the water pressure in an apartment building’s heating system. Conditional passage is technically labeled as DU. Pipes with a conditional passage of 60–88.5 mm are used for spills, and 26.8–33.5 mm are used for risers.

Crucial! The pipes that link the riser and heating radiators ought to be in the same section. Additionally, the battery needs to be connected to the feed and return.

The fact that the apartment is warm is what matters most. The higher the pressure in an apartment building’s central heating system, the hotter the water in the radiators. On the return, it’s also above the temperature. The water temperature from the back cycle pipe needs to be fixed for the heating system to operate steadily.

Elimination of differences

The nozzle device on an elevator

With a decrease in the temperature of the reverse flow and a change in pressure in the heating pipes in an apartment building, the diameter of the elevator nozzle is adjusted. If necessary, it is drilled. This procedure should be agreed with the company providing the service (TEC or boiler room). Amateur do not allow. In extreme situations, when the system is threatened, under the elevator, the adjustment mechanism can be completely removed. In this case, the coolant gets into the communication of the house freely. Such manipulations lead to a decrease in the pressure in the central heating system and a significant increase in temperature to 20 degrees. Such an increase can be dangerous for the heating system of houses and city networks in general.

An increase in the temperature of the working environment from the reverse flow is associated with an increase in the diameter of the nozzle, which leads to a decrease in pressure in heating apartment buildings. In order to lower the temperature, it should be reduced. Here you can’t do without welding. Then a new hole is drilled with a drill of smaller diameter. This will reduce the amount of hot water in the Elevator mixing chamber. This manipulation is carried out after stopping the coolant circulation. If there is a need urgently, without stopping the system, reduce the return temperature, the valves are partially overlap. But this can be fraught with consequences. Metal shutters of locking reinforcement create a barrier on the path of the coolant. As a result, the pressure and the friction force increase. From this increases the wear of the damper. If it reaches a critical level, the damper can break away from the regulator and completely block the flow.

Features of autonomous heating

A closed circuit’s typical indication ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 bar, which is significantly different from the pressure in central heating pipes. The decline could be caused by:

  • depressurization – with the appearance of leaks or microcracks through which water can run away. Visually, this can be imperceptible, since a small amount of water has time to evaporate;
  • Reducing the temperature of the coolant. The lower the temperature of the water, the lower its expansion;
  • the presence of autonomous pressure regulators that pull the air. They are installed to remove air traffic jams. Often leak;
  • Changing the radius of the conditional passage of pipes. Plastic pipes when heated can change their geometry – they become wider.

Not only the circulation of the coolant depends on the pressure indicator in the heating system, but the serviceability of the equipment. To prevent a decrease and increase in pressure on any section of the system, an expansion tank is installed. This is a metal container with a rubber membrane inside. The membrane divides the tank into two cameras: with water and air. At the top there is a valve through which air comes out with an extreme increase in pressure. It can occur due to excessive fluid heating. After the water cools down and decreases in volume, the pressure in the system will not be enough, because the air came out. The calculation of the volume of the expansion tank is based on the total volume of the coolant in the system.

Choosing a radiator

Selecting the best radiator for your heating system is crucial.

The effectiveness of the radiators affects the indoor temperature as well. Battery manufacturers offer the following materials for their batteries:

The radiator’s thermal power, heat transfer coefficient, and operating pressure are all determined by the materials used. You should find out the central heating pressure at the housing office before purchasing batteries. The pressure is different in a private home and a high-rise building:

  • in private up to 3 bar;
  • The working pressure in the heating system of an apartment building is 10 bar.

Furthermore, it is imperative to consider conducting regular reliability inspections of the heating system, also known as the hydraulic boards.

Checking pipes and batteries is carried out in order to find out what pressure in heating in the apartment, identify clogging, weaknesses and leakage. To remove dirt from the pipes, you need to block the valve and lower the water. Then dial the full system and repeat the procedure. It is allowed to use special tools with high acidity. This will require equipment. To find a leak or a weak place in the heating system of a multi -storey building, it is necessary to increase pressure to 10 bar. If any connection does not withstand such a load, it should be strengthened or replaced. It is better to detect weak areas as a result of a water jacket in the summer. Since performing work of this kind in winter is much more difficult. This is due to a short period for which the system can be defrosted.

Remarkable regarding the subject:


  • Testing the heating system

  • pressure changes in the heating system and their re.

  • TELLE heating with your own hands

  • infrared heating system

Working pressure in the heating system: we study the operation of autonomous systems and CO

What is the standard operating pressure for an apartment building’s heating system? What is its possible maximum value? What settings are ideal for an autonomous system? The effect of pressure on the operation of heating systems is discussed in this article.

Temperature and pressure distribution within an apartment building’s elevator node.

How everything works

Let’s first familiarize ourselves with the device used in these systems before learning what pressure in the heating system is considered standard.

Autonomous systems

This group consists of gravitational natural circulation circuits that have heating circulation pumps installed.

When the coolant in the first example gets heated, a change in density causes the warmer masses to be replaced from the boiler to the upper portion of the contour cooler, which transfers the excess heat to the radiators. Since the pressure caused by the expansion is negligible and typically measured in tenths of a meter, there is no difference in the circulation at high speeds.

In the second scenario, the low-power pump is driven by the coolant. He applies pressure in the range of one to six to eight meters, which causes the water or water-glycol mixture to flow through the circuit much more quickly.

Assistance: A pressure of 0.1 kgf/cm2 (1/10 atmosphere) is equivalent to one meter of pressure.

One more factor that separates autonomous heating systems is their ability to be either open or closed.

  • Open circuit communicates with atmospheric air through an open expansion tank. Accordingly, the water pressure in the heating system corresponds to the height of the water column above the measurement point. If the water level in the expansion tank is 3 meters higher than the level of the rosllic, the pressure in the rosel will be 0.3 atmospheres.
  • A closed circuit with an atmosphere does not report that it gives rise to a number of problems with compensation for the expansion of the coolant during heating. To solve them, an expansion tank of a membrane type is used – a container, the volume of which is occupied by air, separated from the water with an elastic rubber membrane. In addition, the system is equipped with a safety valve: it drops an excess of the coolant when the tank is filled.

Two related parameter pressures are distinguished for a closed heating system.

  1. Dressing of the expansion tank of heating. At room temperature of water or antifreeze, it is exposed equal to hydrostatic pressure in the circuit.

Assistance: The hydrostatic pressure in a private home’s heating system is determined by taking 10% of the water column’s height in meters, which again corresponds to the column’s height.

  1. Safety valve. Usually it is exposed at 2.5 kgf/cm2.

An automatic airborne, an expansion tank, a safety valve, and a manometer comprise the security group for autonomous heating.

The temperature and volume of water in the heating system affect its current static pressure while it is in use. For obvious reasons, the pressure gauge starts to display large values when heated.

How is the system of central heating operated?

On the supply thread of the heating main, heated thermal power plant or boiler water enters the home. It returns on the opposite thread, providing some of the heat. A pressure drop between the threads drives the water in the circuit.

The pressure drop that occurs between the track’s threads is what makes central heating function.

The temperature schedule refers to the relationship between the water temperature in the supply pipeline and the current street. Such a graph can be seen in this example.

Temperature of the street, with

Reverse pipeline temperature regulation is likewise strictly controlled; the feed’s maximum value should be +70 C. The overestimated return temperature indicates that power engineers are overspending, while the underestimated return temperature indicates that the house is not heated.

The temperature differential between the supply and return, despite its obviousness, is too great for a typical heating operation. In this mode, the feeding riser radiators will overheat and, conversely, barely provide any warmth to the apartments.

The initial layout of the so-called elevator, or thermal unit, solves the issue. The elevator, which is its primary knot, is just a tee with a nozzle stuck inside of it. A portion of the colder water from the return is drawn into the large-pressure, hotter supply through the nozzle, creating a recurring cycle of circulation.

The elevator’s design.

A sizable volume of water with a more constant temperature wraps around the circuit as a result of this subtlety. We provide an additional temperature schedule, this time for the mixture entering the battery directly, within the same range of street temperatures.

Temperature of the street, with

The house gets hot water from the elevator node in addition to heating.

There were only two water supply inserts in older homes:

  1. On the feed (between the input valve and the elevator).
  2. On the return (between the input valve and suction).

Up until the 1970s, such thermal nodes existed.

The feed temperature at any given time determines where the DHW is fed from. Hot water is drawn from the supply pipeline at 90 degrees Celsius and lower, and from the opposite at higher temperatures.

The primary drawback of this kind of arrangement is that water does not circulate in the absence of water cleansing, and several tens of liters must be drained through the mixer prior to heating.

Furthermore, heated towel rails in older homes can only get hotter when the apartment’s water is being removed. Their eyeliner is open.

Elevator nodes were obtained by circulating inserts starting in the 1970s and 1980s; two DIS valves appeared on the feed and on the return. Retention objectives are provided on the flanges between the inserts for the circulation modes "from feeding" and "from the return to the return." The washer’s diameter is roughly one millimeter bigger than the nozzle of an elevator.

There are two down inserts on every thread.

It is important to comprehend and control pressure in the heating system of an apartment building. In order to ensure effective heat distribution throughout the building, pressure is essential. While too little pressure can result in insufficient heating in some places, too much pressure can strain the system and cause leaks or even pipe bursts. By keeping the pressure at ideal levels, these problems can be avoided and the building’s entire interior can remain comfortably warm without placing undue strain on the system. Proper insulation and routine pressure monitoring and adjustment can greatly increase the building’s overall heating efficiency, saving energy and enhancing resident comfort.

What the manometer shows

What pressure, then, is normal for a multi-story building’s heating system?

What’s going on with the main heating system, too?

  • In the summer, outside the heating season, the static pressure of the heating system corresponds to the height of the water column. For a ten -story building, it is approximately 3 kgf/cm2, for a five -story building – 1.5 kgf/cm2.
  • With open house valves and the full -time operation of the elevator node, the pressure in heating systems is practically aligned according to the opposite pipeline and normally 3 – 4 kgf/cm2.

In the picture, the manometer reads 3.8 kgf/cm2. The meaning is consistent throughout.

Permit me to explain, but the heating pipes’ high pressure is essential to their circulation. Is the outline still circulated even though it is aligned on the return?

Everything is very straightforward: the manometer will only display 2 meters (0.2 atmospheres) more than on the reverse pipeline following the elevator. Yes, a huge house with hundreds of radiators has its entire coolant system activated by a mere 2 meter difference.

How about retaining washers, then? What impact does it have on them?

Even less, ranging from one to two meters. And it’s more than sufficient—after all, pressure loss in the heating system is significantly higher than in the hot water risers due to a more intricate configuration.

Regarding the track, she considers that eight atmospheres during the heating season and three during the return are typical. On the other hand, the houses and pipes that are closer to the thermal power plants have lost their hydraulic resistance, allowing coolant with parameters of 6/3.5 and even 5/4 kgf/cm2 to reach remote areas.

And last, the crucial query: what causes the heating system’s pressure? After all, the coolant will always circulate in a system that is filled, right?

A water column cannot rise above the same 10 meters without excessive pressure. Heating just won’t function in an apartment building with more than three stories.

Furthermore, there are still a few subtleties.

  • Sooner or later the circuit will have to be discarded and fill. Without excess pressure, this is problematic to do this.
  • We must not forget about hot water supply. It feeds from the same heating mains. Without pressure, hot water will not get to the mixer.

Excessive pressure in the water supply is required for the mixer to function.

We appear to have figured out what pressure the heating system should be at.

And what will the DIS system’s manometer display?

  • When cold water is heated by a boiler or a running heater, the pressure of hot water will be exactly equal to the pressure in the HVS highway minus losses to overcome the hydraulic resistance of the pipes.
  • When the DHW is noted, the same 3-4 atmospheres will be in front of the faucet from the elevator of the elevator as on the return.
  • But when the DOS is connected with the supply, the pressure in the mixer hoses can reach impressive 6-7 kgf/cm2.

Practical implication: It is best to avoid being overly lazy and install two valves in front of the hoses when installing a kitchen mixer by hand. The starting price for each of them is 150 rubles. With this straightforward guide, you’ll be able to stop the water from leaking quickly when using hoses and avoid having to deal with the apartment being completely without it while repairs are being done.

When there are issues with hoses, you can quickly stop the water with this valve.

Pressure Level Implications
Low May result in inadequate heating, potential for air pockets, and inefficient system performance.
Optimal Ensures proper heat distribution, consistent warmth throughout the building, and efficient energy usage.
High Can lead to system damage, leaks, and safety hazards such as bursting pipes.

Comprehending the pressure dynamics inherent in an apartment building’s heating system is imperative to guarantee its effective and secure functioning. In order to guarantee uniform heat distribution throughout the building and avoid problems like cold spots or system failures, proper pressure maintenance is crucial.

The system’s ability to balance high and low pressure is an important factor to take into account. The system may be strained to the point of leaks, bursts, or other damage by excessive pressure. On the other hand, low pressure may lead to insufficient heat distribution, causing certain parts of the building to be colder than others. Maintaining optimal performance requires regular pressure level monitoring and adjustment.

The system’s overall efficiency and pressure levels can be greatly impacted by leaks. Over time, even tiny leaks can cause pressure to drop, which will reduce the system’s capacity to efficiently heat the building. Finding and fixing leaks as soon as possible is crucial to avoiding energy waste and possible infrastructure damage.

Appropriate insulation is also essential for controlling the pressure inside the heating system. Heat loss from inadequate insulation can make the system work harder to keep the desired temperature. Higher pressure levels may result from this increased workload, further taxing the system. Building owners can lower pressure-related problems and increase energy efficiency by making an investment in high-quality insulation.

In conclusion, the efficient and dependable functioning of an apartment building’s heating system depends on maintaining ideal pressure levels in the system. Achieving this goal requires adequate insulation, timely repairs, and routine monitoring. Building owners can maximize energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs while ensuring the comfort and safety of their residents by placing a high priority on pressure management.

Video on the topic

The water pressure in the heating system, an apartment building drops. Mistakes plumbing.

Pressing the heating system in an apartment building.

Pressure in the heating system

Heating and hot water supply system in modern apartment buildings.

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