FAQs
We’ve got you covered with some of our most frequently asked questions at Vogue UK.
What are the benefits of the materials Brass, Stainless Steel and Aluminium?
Materials such as BR, SS & ALU have very high levels of resistance to corrosion, allowing for many machining and forming process, giving the ability for many varied designs/styles, all three materials have a high level of thermal conductivity, making them all a very good material for heat emitters, over the more common mild steel units.
Do white radiators have a better heat output than chrome & why?
Powder-coated heat emitters have a higher heat output because chrome plating causes more heat waves (radiation) to be reflected back into the unit, whereas the less reflective and more randomly placed molecular distribution of power coating allows for more heat to be radiated.
What is a direct & indirect system?
The definition of a direct system would be, direct hot water (DHW) where the hot water that supplies the hot taps, shower mixers and any other hot water outlet is pumped through the towel rail. Indirect systems are made up of a sealed loop that feeds all the heat emitters, which has a manual cold water (live water) feed or indirect cold water feed via a header tank, indirect systems should have an inhibitor added and like all systems be maintained and monitored annually.
For more information on the symbols and what they are, please click here.
What is the difference between lacquered and unlacquered finishes?
Do your painted finishes come in a gloss or a matt finish as a standard?
Vogue (UK) has such a varied range and customisable options, it would be best to refer to the UK sales office for guidance, or our bespoke page might offer more insight, click here to go to the page.
Do your electric radiators come pre-filled and fitted?
Vogue (UK) fill all their electric units with a mixture of water and ethylene glycol (antifreeze), 7-10% of the mixture is made up of ethylene glycol. All units are sealed and have the chosen electric element fitted, and are ready for installation upon delivery.
What is the difference between an angled and straight valve?
Angled valves take the water through a 90-degree angle from the connection at the pipework through to the connection at the heat emitter, straight valves, take the water in a straight line between the pipework connection and the heat emitter connection.
Click here to head over to our additions page for our full valve range.
What is the difference between a dual fuel and all electric radiator?
A dual fuel unit has an electric element (AKA summer element) installed as a heat source during spring and summer months when the central heating is not in operation to keep towels warm and dry. An electric unit is a sealed unit, powered 100% of the time by its pre-installed electric element.
Dual fuel units should never be operated on both the central heating circuit and the electric element at the same time, this can cause failure of the electric element and would void the warranty.
Do your valves come in pairs?
Yes, all of our valves come as a set of 2.
What is the history of towel rails?
The evolution of the heated towel warmer stretches way back into the 1800’s. In 1834 a man named Denison Olmstead of New Haven, Connecticut created a heat exchanger for his stove which he described as a ‘peculiar kind of apparatus, which I call a radiator’.
However, it wasn’t until 1855, Franz San Galli of St. Petersburg invented the heating radiator. So the journey began… the radiator became more popular and spread to every room in the home. Once heating reached the bathroom it became unrealistic for towels to dry and pileup on the radiator and so, the inevitable arrival of the towel warmer came to pass.
The 1920’s saw the first of the cast iron water heated towel warmers, commonly referred to as a ‘bath radiator’. Here in the UK, drying racks, heated towel warmers and heated towel bars were seen as luxury items and would only ever be found in homes and hotels of high upstanding social status.
As time passed, new materials became available and our abilities to manipulate and manufacture these materials grew. Materials such as copper, brass, mild steel and stainless steel helped to propel the industry forward.
Arriving in the present day and now we have yet more advancement brought to you by Vogue UK, who for 30 years have been manufacturing and innovating many styles and designs into the towel warmer arena.
Hints And Advice
In order to assist your choice of towel rail, the following check points should help to avoid the specification of an unsuitable model.
- Ensure the space you have is of adequate dimensions and that suitable services can be directed to the location.
- Check you have sufficient room to accept the projection of the towel rail without impeding access or door opening etc.
- Ensure the towel rail of your choice is suited to the circuit available. Never install an item containing Ferrous Metal (Steel) parts on an open circuit.
- Never install a towel rail without providing for suitable isolation.
- Consider the benefits of an electrical immersion heater for continued operation in the summer months. When utilised, one isolating valve should be turned off to prevent circulation through the system. Appropriate measures should also be taken to ensure the continued venting and filling of the product. On no account should the electric option be operated in tandem with the central heating.
- All Vogue UK products must be installed in accordance with BS5449, BS7593 and BS7671 or with those enforced by the appropriate regulatory bodies for the country or region in which the unit will be located to avoid invalidation of the guarantee.
Typically, there are two types of water circuit in a domestic residence, as follows:
Indirect or Closed Hot Water circuit
A sealed system, often referred to as the “central heating” and onto which any towel warmer can be installed regardless of the material from which it is manufactured. Closed or sealed systems should contain a BS7593 corrosion inhibitor required to maintain both the system and the towel warmer as failure to do so could result in corrosion or even failure.
Direct or Open Hot Water circuit
An open system is fed directly from the main water supply which is then heated most typically by a boiler and then distributed throughout the house to the taps, bath, shower etc. and to the appliances (e.g., washing machine) onto which only towel warmers manufactured totally from brass or stainless steel can be installed. Any model made from or consisting of ferrous metal (steel) components cannot be installed on a Direct/Open circuit.
CAUTION: when a brass unit is installed in conjunction with some water softeners there can be a risk of dezincification.This may occur because aggressive chemicals within the softened water can attack the zinc content ofthe brass causing the composition of the tubing to breakdown and eventually leak.
- Ensure the towel rail of your choice is suited to the circuit available. Never install an item containing Ferrous Metal (Steel) parts on an open circuit.
- Wherever possible Vogue towel rails are manufactured using dezincification resistant brass. However, it should be understood the term ‘resistant’ does not entirely preclude the possibility of dezincification occurring. If you intend to install the product on an open (direct) hot water circuit, make reference to your local water authority to ensure dezincification has not previously occurred.
- Towel rails manufactured from brass tubing should not be installed on an open circuit if a water softener is present. Product compatibility is the responsibility of the installer.
- In aggressive water areas, or where water softeners are installed, dezincification resistant materials are available and can be specified for certain models.
ELECTRIC ONLY (EO) A completely independent unit requiring only a fused spur electric connection in close proximity. Standard format for electric towel rails is fluid filled. Thermal transfer fluid is heated by an electric element located at the bottom of the towel rail. The element is a sealed cartridge and therefore can be easily changed in case of failure.
- Installation should only be conducted by a qualified electrician and must comply with current IEE wiring regulations and BS7671 or with those enforced by the appropriate regulatory bodies for the country or region in which the unit will be located.
- Always ensure the towel rail is protected by a suitably rated fuse (typically 5amp) or proprietary brand residual circuit breaker.
- The electrical element within the towel rail is manufactured and inspected to European Standard EN60335-1 (CENELEC) – CE 61/50. It is splash proof only and must never be immersed.
- The towel rail must always be installed with the element at the bottom of the unit. Thermal circulation will not occur if the towel rail is installed with the element at the top. Consequential damage to the element will then occur.
- Electric Only towel rails are designed for continuous operation and are perfectly safe if left switched on permanently. If timed operation is required the time clock utilised should be rated to the wattage of the electric element.
HEATING & ELECTRIC (HE) Also known as dual fuel or dual energy. Connected to a central heating circuit and including an electrical element which allows for operation in summer months when the central heating is NOT in use.
- Ensure the towel rail of your choice is suited to the circuit available. Never install an item containing Ferrous Metal (Steel) parts on an open circuit.
- Wherever possible Vogue towel rails are manufactured using dezincification resistant brass. However, it should be understood the term ‘resistant’ does not entirely preclude the possibility of dezincification occurring. If you intend to install the product on an open (direct) hot water circuit, make reference to your local water authority to ensure dezincification has not previously occurred.
- Towel rails manufactured from brass tubing should not be installed on an open circuit if a water softener is present. Product compatibility is the responsibility of the installer.
- In aggressive water areas, or where water softeners are installed, dezincification resistant materials are available and can be specified for certain models.
- Installation should only be conducted by a qualified electrician and must comply with current IEE wiring regulations and BS7671 or with those enforced by the appropriate regulatory bodies for the country or region in which the unit will be located. The heating element in dual fuel units should be installed prior to leak testing of the system but not powered up until the system is full of water and operational. The towel rail must be individually earth bonded.
- Always ensure the towel rail is protected by a suitably rated fuse (typically 5amp) or proprietary brand residual circuit breaker.
- The electrical element within the towel rail is manufactured and inspected to European Standard EN60335-1 (CENELEC) – CE 61/50. It is splash proof only and must never be immersed.
- The towel rail must always be installed with the element at the bottom of the unit. Thermal circulation will not occur if the towel rail is installed with the element at the top. Consequential damage to the element will then occur.
- The heating element in dual fuel models must never be operated without the towel rail being completely full of water and connected to the central heating system. The system design must guarantee constant filling of the unit. Special care must be taken after any service work requiring ‘drain down’ of the system.
- In dual energy models allowance for thermal expansion must be made by having the return valve partially open. The flow valve must be closed to prevent cycling through the system. Manufacturers notes do not override legal obligations.
- On no account should the electric operation of dual fuel models be utilised in conjunction with the central heating operation.
All heating elements must be IP rated – a system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’, followed by two numbers which refer to the level of protection according to where the product is able to be sited within the bathroom.
It is important to install an electric towel rail in the correct bathroom zone i.e. the zone referred to in the IP rating of the element.
Suitable for installation into Zones 1 and 2 of the bathroom for non high pressure water jet applications.
Manufactured in accordance with: EN60335-1 / BS EN ISO 9001
Each standard element contains an internal preset over temperature switch and fail safe fuse. There is no thermostatic control with this element although a suitably rated rheostat (CD-VR) will give thermal control when fitted into the electrical supply circuit.
All heating elements are CE approved.
The diagrams and information below are a guide to Bathroom Zones as referred to in IP ratings of the Heating Elements section. Please refer to the latest edition of BS7871 to ensure conformity.
It is important to install an electric towel rail in the correct bathroom zone i.e. the zone referred to in the IP rating of the element. This is not an installation guide and reference should be made to the latest edition of the IEE wirings Regulations or a qualified electrician.
Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower tray itself. Any appliance used in this zone must be rated at least IP67 which is total immersion proof.
Zone 1 is the area above the bath or shower tray to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP44 is required and elements must also be protected by a 30m. A residual current device (RCD) to protect the circuit. The electrical connection to the power supply for these elements must be in Zone 2 of the bathroom in compliance with BS7671:2001 – IEE Wiring Regulations.
Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25 m from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required. In addition it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
For full details reference should be made to the latest copy of the IEE wiring regulations and all applicable British Standard Specifications – European norm.
All heat outputs are shown at 50ºCΔt, in compliance with BSEN442 – Specification for Radiators and Convectors.To convert to 60ºCΔt, multiply heat output by conversion factor 1.268 (approximate figure). All measurements given are nominal dimensions only (mm), and are not binding.
Manufactured from hot brass stamped fittings and high quality brass tube complying to BS2871.
Some models manufactured from high grade CR steel tubing and/or containing steel components suitable for closed/indirect circuits only. All rails are pressure tested to 100p.s.i (6.9 bar) air immersed in water.
All models are fitted with 2 x 1/2″ BSP F.I. connections. Alternative M.I. or compression fitting is available on request. 3/4″BSP connections available at extra cost on some models. A manual bleed air vent is fitted to all hot water/dual fuel models. Auto air vents available on request at additional cost.