monoflow loop ? icesailor are you out there.....

jonny88

hi,i have to run a monoflow loop around my basement.loop is going to run into a steel beam.my question is can i 45 around beam or do i have to go through the beam.

billtwocase

not the Ice man, but

Why do you need to run a mono-flo  loop? Just curious

Steve Whitbeck

mono flow

Is it a pumped or gravity loop??

If it is pumped you can go under. If gravity it will impeed flow.

jonny88

thanks gus

i have to raise the existing loop as there is a ceiling going in.it is a pumped loop.thanks for your help.i was told i had to go through the beam as i would create an air pocket if i went under it,again thanks

Steamhead

It would definitely create an air pocket

if the space between the ceiling and the floor above will be accessible, you can put an air vent there. But vents tend to leak sometimes...........



Probably best to go thru the beam.

jonny88

final answer......

thanks steamhead,that confirms it.thanks for your help

icesailor

Steel Beams:

I wouldn't be concerned one bit if I had to go through the steel beam. Use a hole saw of the proper size and trill right through it. Just a standard Lennox one will do. Drill the pilot hole first. A few drops of oil will make it easier. I use a lot. It won't wear out the bit. If you install a Mono-Flo main properly, you shouldn't need any air vents. The radiators become the air collectors. Always try to plan your piping so that a high point will have a take-off as close as possible to it. If you go under the beam.it will be a PITA. Drill the beam.

Are you trying to connect existing radiators or are you running something new?

jonny88

existing rads,

i am connecting into existing rads,thankyou all agaion for your advice.

Steve Whitbeck

Never

Never drill a steel beam or glue lam beam.  Unless you know what the structure load is You won't know how close to max load that beam is under.

If you are worried about trapping air then just use a bigger pump to carry the air.

Or install a 1/4 inch line from the high point on the upstream side and run it to an access point.

icesailor

Drilling Beams:

They drill limber holes in beams. As long as you follow the rules of "thirds" (1/3) and don't go nuts, you will never have a problem. In a wood joist, you can only drill in the middle third of a joist, in the end third. In other words, the hole can not be larger than the middle third of a joist. "I"joists have a different rule where it is the very end of the joist can't be drilled. You are supposed to use crush blocks at the ends of I-Joists. Glue-Lams are the same.

Steel I-beams follow in the same pattern. If you are drilling a 1 1/2"a 10" Steel I-Beam, you will not harm the beam in any way. You would not want to dtill theough the bottom or top flange. I've never been quoted the rule of thirds on steel I-beams but I have drilled plenty of them with approvaal of archetects, engineers and the AHJ's whom had no problem with it.

Steve Whitbeck

floor joists

floor joists are NOT beams. Beams support floor joists. Unless you know the design load on the beam and how close to maxed out it is ANY modification to the beam will lessen it's load carrying ability. I have been told this by engineers that build trusses and size beams.