In the plumbing and heating industry, safety, compliance and reliability are essential. Whether you're installing an unvented hot water cylinder, fitting a heat interface unit (HIU), or carrying out routine maintenance on a heating system, every component plays a vital role in ensuring long-term performance.
One product that has transformed how installers approach pressure relief valve (PRV) discharge management is Hotun.
Designed and manufactured in the UK and trusted by plumbing professionals throughout Ireland and beyond, Hotun has revolutionised the traditional tundish with its award-winning dry trap technology. By solving common installation and maintenance challenges, Hotun has quickly become one of the most specified tundish systems in the industry.
In this guide, we'll explore what makes Hotun different, how dry trap tundishes work, and why they are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for plumbers, heating engineers and contractors across Ireland.
What Is a Tundish?
A tundish is a safety device installed within discharge pipework to provide a visible indication that water has been released from a pressure relief valve (PRV) or temperature and pressure relief valve (TPRV).
Tundishes are commonly found on:
- Unvented hot water cylinders
- Boilers
- Heat Interface Units (HIUs)
- Fan Coil Units (FCUs)
- Water storage systems
- Heating and cooling systems
Their primary purpose is to provide a visible air gap between a discharge pipe and the drainage system, allowing installers and homeowners to identify when a safety valve is operating.
While traditional tundishes have served this purpose for many years, they often come with limitations that can impact installation flexibility, fault diagnosis and user experience.
The Limitations of Traditional Tundishes
Standard tundishes rely on an open design to provide the required visible air gap. While effective, this can create several common issues.
Unpleasant Odours
Because conventional tundishes are open to the drainage system, foul smells and gases can travel back into occupied spaces. This can be particularly problematic when tundishes are installed in utility rooms, hot presses or plant rooms.
Limited Installation Options
Traditional tundishes often require careful positioning to maintain visibility and compliance, which can restrict installation choices in modern properties where space is limited.
Difficult Fault Monitoring
Many pressure relief valve discharges occur intermittently and can easily go unnoticed, especially if the tundish is located in a cupboard or rarely accessed area.
Aesthetic Challenges
Homeowners increasingly expect neat, discreet plumbing installations. Traditional open tundishes can sometimes detract from the appearance of otherwise professional installations.
Recognising these challenges, Hotun developed an innovative solution.
Introducing Hotun Dry Trap Technology
Hotun's patented dry trap tundish design was created to address the shortcomings of conventional tundishes while maintaining compliance and visibility.
Unlike traditional models, Hotun incorporates a specially designed dry trap mechanism that allows discharged water to pass through while preventing foul air and odours from travelling back into the building.
This simple but highly effective innovation delivers several important benefits:
- Prevents unpleasant drainage smells
- Maintains visible discharge indication
- Allows easier fault diagnosis
- Improves installation flexibility
- Enhances overall user comfort
The result is a tundish solution that works smarter, not harder.
Why Irish Installers Choose Hotun
Compliance You Can Trust
Regulatory compliance is one of the most important considerations when specifying any discharge solution.
Hotun products are designed to comply with relevant Building Regulations and Water Regulations, providing confidence for installers, consultants and building inspectors alike.
In addition, Hotun products hold recognised approvals including WRAS and KIWA certification, offering further reassurance regarding quality and performance.
Easy Fault Diagnosis
One of the standout features of the Hotun range is its open-sided design.
This allows installers to see both flowing and residual water, making it easier to diagnose system issues and identify intermittent faults.
The ability to visually inspect discharge behaviour can significantly reduce troubleshooting time and improve maintenance efficiency.
Compact Design for Modern Installations
Space is often at a premium in modern homes and apartments.
Hotun tundishes are among the most compact products in their class, allowing installation in areas where traditional tundishes may be difficult to accommodate.
This flexibility is particularly valuable in:
- Apartment developments
- Utility cupboards
- Hot presses
- Plant rooms
- New-build housing projects
Long-Term Reliability
Every Hotun product is built using high-quality materials designed to withstand years of service.
Features include:
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel components
- High-grade EPDM diaphragms
- Industry-tested performance
- 10-year warranty on selected products
With hundreds of thousands of installations in operation, Hotun has built a reputation for reliability and durability.
The Hotun 100C Range
The Hotun 100C range is one of the most popular dry trap tundish solutions available today.
Available in both black and white finishes, the range offers a combination of practical performance and installer-friendly features.
Benefits include:
- Compression connection options
- Compact footprint
- Open-sided visual inspection
- Dry trap odour prevention
- Full installation documentation
- Proven long-term reliability
Suitable for low-volume PRV discharges, the 100C range is widely used in domestic heating and hot water applications.
Hotun HiFlo for High-Volume Discharge Applications
Not all discharge systems are created equal.
Larger unvented cylinders and commercial systems can produce significantly greater discharge volumes than standard domestic installations.
To accommodate these applications, Hotun developed the HiFlo range.
Designed specifically for higher flow rates, HiFlo tundishes provide:
- Increased discharge capacity
- Larger outlet connections
- Enhanced flow performance
- Compatibility with large unvented water heaters
For commercial projects and larger residential systems, HiFlo offers an ideal solution.
Hotun Detect: Smarter Fault Monitoring
Visible discharge indication is important, but what happens when nobody is nearby to see it?
Hotun Detect provides the answer.
Compatible with selected Hotun tundishes, the Detect alarm unit provides an audible warning whenever a discharge event occurs.
Benefits include:
- Immediate fault awareness
- Faster maintenance response
- Reduced risk of unnoticed leaks
- Improved system monitoring
- Greater protection for homeowners and building managers
For landlords, facilities managers and maintenance teams, Hotun Detect offers valuable peace of mind.
Additional Hotun Accessories
Hotun's product range extends beyond tundishes to include a range of accessories that improve safety, flexibility and installation options.
Hotun Protect
The Hotun Protect shield provides additional protection against accidental contact with discharged hot water while maintaining the tundish's air-break designation.
This makes it suitable for installations where additional safety measures may be required.
Hotun Shield
Available for both 100C and SF models, Hotun Shield provides a removable cover for applications where an air break designation is not required.
Hotun One Hopper
The Hotun One Hopper allows multiple condensate or discharge pipes to connect into a single tundish system, helping simplify complex installations while reducing pipework requirements.
Designed for Modern Plumbing Systems
As heating systems become more advanced, installers need products that can adapt to changing requirements.
Hotun tundishes are suitable for a wide range of applications, including:
- Unvented hot water cylinders
- Boilers
- Heat interface units (HIUs)
- Fan coil units (FCUs)
- MVHR systems
- Water tank overflows
- Commercial plant installations
This versatility makes Hotun a practical solution for both domestic and commercial projects.
British Innovation with Proven Performance
Hotun's success is built on innovation, quality manufacturing and a commitment to solving real-world installation challenges.
Manufactured in an award-winning facility operating to internationally recognised quality standards, Hotun products have earned widespread recognition throughout the plumbing and heating industry.
Their patented designs, extensive testing and installer-focused approach have helped establish Hotun as one of the leading names in discharge management solutions.
Why Choose Hotun from HES?
At HES, we supply a comprehensive range of Hotun dry trap tundishes, HiFlo models, alarm units and accessories to plumbing and heating professionals throughout Ireland.
Whether you're fitting a domestic hot water cylinder, upgrading an existing discharge system or specifying products for a large commercial development, Hotun provides a compliant, reliable and installer-friendly solution.
With innovative dry trap technology, proven performance and industry-leading fault diagnosis capabilities, it's easy to see why Hotun has become the preferred choice for modern plumbing and heating installations.
Browse the full Hotun range at HES today and discover a smarter approach to tundish and discharge management.
