'Certified products make the quality assurance process significantly more efficient'

Composite manifolds with Kiwa LTV-CV product certification

Therminon B.V. is the first manufacturer in the Netherlands to have a Kiwa LTV-CV product certificate for its range of composite manifolds. "Our distributors have been successfully assessed by an independent party and demonstrably meet the relevant quality requirements. For example with regard to temperatures, design pressures and oxygen density," says Stef Roelofs, commercial director at Therminon B.V. "Our composite manifolds are certified for floor heating systems to temperature class 4 and a design pressure of 6 bar with a service life of 50 years." He says the Kiwa certificate underlines Therminon B.V.'s focus on quality, reliability and a long service life. "We are convinced that the certification gives our customers additional confidence when selecting and applying our products. Also in relation to the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb)." 

Efficient process of quality assurance

The Kiwa LTV-CV certificate was presented to Therminon B.V. in December 2023. A good time, according to Roelofs. "This is because in January 2024, the Building Quality Assurance Act came into effect. Contractors must now be able to demonstrate in a 'consumer file' and a 'competent authority file' that they have complied with the regulations. For example, through drawings, calculations, information about (connection) details and product certificates." According to him, the use of certified products makes the quality assurance process considerably simpler and more efficient because the quality has already been established by an independent and accredited third party. "Because our underfloor heating pipe is also certified, our complete system now demonstrably meets Kiwa requirements. With this we offer security for the installer and end user."

Comfortable and (energy) efficient heating and cooling

Therminon B.V. was founded in 1984 as a supplier of underfloor heating systems and manufacturer of steel underfloor heating manifolds. "In 2009 we were the first in the Netherlands to start developing and producing composite manifolds for utility and residential construction. With this, we were the first to meet the rapidly growing demand for low temperature systems at the time," says Michiel Melis, commercial manager at Therminon B.V. "A demand that is still very current. Our composite manifolds allow very comfortable and (energy) efficient heating and cooling without risk of condensation, corrosion and/or rust. This guarantees a long life of the distributors."

Pioneer in the composite distributor market

In 2015, Kiwa's Board of Experts Central Heating initiated an assessment guideline for distributors for hot water and chilled water. The first version of K17701 was declared binding in 2017 but not (yet) picked up by the market. "In 2020, the assessment guideline will be revised," Melis knows. "At that time, Therminon B.V. decided to apply for certification. With this, we have again taken a pioneering role in the market of composite distributors for underfloor heating." 

The certification procedure involved a number of complex product tests with long lead times, so the total process took about three years. During those three years, for example, a NEN-EN-ISO 9080 analysis was performed to test the durability, temperature and pressure resistance of the composite material. "The NEN-EN-ISO 9080 analysis in the Kiwa laboratory takes a total of 10,000 hours, during which the material is exposed to temperatures of up to 110°C," Melis says. "But also to pressures up to 50 Bar. In this way, a service life of 50 years is simulated."

Another test, which moreover had never been performed before, concerned the oxygen density of the composite manifolds. "For this we even developed specific testing and determination methods," Roelofs says. "The results of all the tests were astonishing and resulted in us obtaining the K17701 assessment guideline, of which the Kiwa LTV-CV product certificate is the hallmark."

Attention to sustainability and circularity

According to the Kiwa LTV-CV product certificate, Therminon B.V.'s composite manifolds have a service life of 50 years, at temperature class 4 and a design pressure of 6 bar. In addition, they are 100% oxygen-tight. "Lifespan is an important strategy on the R-ladder of circularity," Roelofs knows. "After all, what doesn't break down doesn't need to be replaced. Moreover, after 50 years, our composite dividers are extremely recyclable."