CI/SfB

(59)
August 2008

Advanced flue system solutions

healthcomfortenergy

Introduction
This brochure describes Centrotherms plastic and
metal flue system solutions for condensing gas
and oil boilers and describes the principles,
design considerations and installation methods
for the systems.
Centrotherms range includes rigid and flexible
pipes in polypropylene and metal for constructing
flue systems for commercial or residential
applications. The wide range of components
enables extended flue runs to be constructed,
giving the designer greater flexibility for
positioning the boilers, whilst push-fit joints on
pipes and accessories ensure installation is rapid
and cost-effective.

About Centrotherm
Centrotherm is a division of Ubbink (UK) Ltd. and
part of Centrotec Sustainable AG.
As well as gas flue systems, Centrotec
manufactures and supplies ventilation systems to
promote a healthy internal climate, solar
technology to maximse energy gain from the sun,
and medical technology. Sustainability is at the
the heart of Centrotecs business, with the
development of solutions to protect the earths
resources and limit environmental pollution.

Contents

Page

Introduction

02

About Centrotherm

02

The system

03

Requirements

04

Declaration of conformity
for plastic systems
for stainless steel systems
for aluminium systems

05
06
07

Technical description
and performance

08

Design

09

Flue system overview

10

Flue system 1

11

Flue system 2

12

Flue system 3

13

Flue system 4

14

Flue system 5

15

Flue system 6

16

Flue system 7

17

Sitework

18

Supply, technical support

and references

19

Centrotec has been involved in flue systems since

1982, and through a continuing program of
investment in research and development, is now
a European leader in pioneering plastic gas flue
systems for condensing gas and oil boilers.
Centrotherm draws on this research and practical
experience, and offers proven plastic technology
for commercial flue systems as well as flue
solutions in stainless steel and aluminium.

02 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

The system
The challenge of Part L

Centralised boiler flue systems

The changes to Part L of the Building Regulations

introduced in April 2006 (and comparable
changes made in Scotland in 2007) have had a
significant impact on heating strategies for
dwellings which, prior to 2006, would have been
heated by electric systems.

A safe, cost-effective and energy-efficient

solution for heating apartments is the use of a
centralised boiler system to provide heat for a
number of apartments.

With the primary test for Part L being the

comparison of the dwellings carbon dioxide
emissions (the DER) with that of a notional
dwelling (the TER), the carbon dioxide emission
rate of the fuel used to provide space and water
heating has become a key factor in achieving
compliance.
Under the Building Regulations mains electricity
has the highest carbon dioxide emission rate of
any of the major fuel types; a dwelling heated
primarily by electricity therefore requires
substantial improvements to its fabric in order to
compensate for the heating CO2 emissions and
so meet the TER. Apartments offer little scope for
compensating measures, making it extremely
difficult for those with electric heating to comply
with Part L.
The use of condensing boilers fired by gas or oil
can result in substantially lower emission rates
than those possible with electric heating, making
it easier for dwellings to comply with the
emission targets of Part L and the Code for
Sustainable Homes. However, the provision of
boilers to individual apartments is expensive,
whilst arranging for the supply of gas or oil to
each apartment presents significant problems of
compartmentation and fire safety.

With a communal heating system there is no

need to provide individual boilers, nor to supply
fuel to each apartment. Instead, a number of
boilers are installed in a purpose-built
boiler-house and the hot water circulated
throughout the block. Modern metering systems
enable occupiers to be charged accurately for the
amount of heat used.
The increasing use of condensing boilers - driven
by their improved efficiency compared to
conventional types - also has implications for the
flue system. Because heat is recovered from flue
gases, they leave the boiler at a lower
temperature than those from a conventional
boiler, which means the flue can be made of
plastic, rather than metal.
Centrotherms push-fit polypropylene gas flue
systems are a cost-effective means of providing
flues for centralised boiler systems for virtually
any configuration of boilers and terminals.
Centrotherm can also supply metal flue systems
where required.

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

03

Requirements
Pipework to condensing appliances must be
impervious to condensate.

European legislation
Flue systems must comply with the Construction
Products Directive with regard to testing and
classification, and must only be used within their
tested range. The classification system for flues is
set out in the box below.

Where multiple appliances are flued together the

system must follow the guidance of
BS 5440-1:2000 for gas appliances or
BS 5410-1:1997 for oil appliances.

Building regulations
Combustion appliances are covered by Part J of
the Building Regulations (in Scotland, section 3 of
the Technical Standards). Part J2 requires
appliances to be connected to suitable flues
which discharge to outside air. Factory made
components must be independently certified to
the standard required for the type of appliance
specified.

Flues should be designed to give least resistance

to the passage of gases, by minimising bends
and the length of horizontal runs.
Flues must also be appropriately shielded from
combustible building materials.
Installation of gas appliances must be carried out
by persons qualified under the Gas Safety
(Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Flues are classified according to EN 1443:2003: Chimneys. General requirements. The classification system
addresses the main performance characteristics of chimneys and flues and assigns performance classes
against them.
The Temperature class (nom. working temp):

T080 to T600.

Pressure tightness class:

N1, N2, P1, P2, H1, H2,
(where N is negative pressure, P is positive pressure and H is high positive pressure and a lower number
indicates greater gas tightness).
Resistance to condensate:

W - wet - D - dry.

Corrosion resistance:

1, 2 or 3 (with 3 being most resistant)

Sootfire resistance classes:

G - flue with soot fire resistance,

0 - without soot fire resistance.

Distance to combustible materials (mm):

This appears directly after the sootfire resistance.

Manufacturers may also declare:

Thermal resistance (in units of m2K/W x 100):

R.

Installation:
I

May be used inside buildings or enclosures

May be used inside and outside buildings or enclosures.

Fire resistance class to EN 13501:

e.g. D

Type of chimney:
L

System chimney without enclosure (or external pipe)

L1

System chimney with flammable cladding

(e.g. plastic external pipe)

L0

System chimney with non-flammable cladding

(e.g. metallic external pipe)

04 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Declaration of conformity for plastic systems

Conformity Declaration and Product Information

EN 14471
Chimneys - System chimneys with plastic flue liners
requirements and test methods

Centrotec
Sustainable AG
Am Patbergschen Dorn 9
59929 Brilon

Producer Identification

info@centrotec.de
www.centrotec.de
Product Description

System - Chimney PP
models: single walled
concentric

Name, Function of the Responsible

Employee

Pieter van der Poel

director Centrotherm and Ubbink

Notified Body

TV Industrie Service GmbH

Munich

0036 CPD 9169 003

Certificate Number

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

PP
system chimney
single walled
PP
system chimney
concentric
PP
system chimney
concentric
PP
system chimney
concentric

EN 14471

T120

H1

O20

EN 14471

T120

H1

O00

L1

EN 14471

T120

H1

O00

L0

EN 14471

T120

H1

O00

L0

single walled system chimney

flue material: PP
concentric system chimney
flue material: PP
enclosure: plastic
concentric system chimney
flue material: PP
enclosure: steel, aluminium
concentric system chimney
flue material: PP
enclosure: stainless steel

section / fitting
of
PP system chimney
product description
number of standard
temperature class
pressure class
soot fire resistance
condensate resistance
corrosion resistance
distance to combustible
location
reaction to fire
enclosure class

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

compressive strength
max. height (rigid): 50m
max. height (flexible): 30m
wind load
max. height above last
support
[1.5m]
thermal resistance
0.00 mK/W
reaction to fire
D
flexural tensile strength
length of excursion
[1.5m]
max. angle:
87
flow resistance
medium roughness
0.5mm

C e n t ro t h e r m

05

Declaration of conformity for stainless steel systems

Conformity Declaration and Product Information

EN 1856-1
Requirements for Metal Systems
Part 1 Components for Prefabricated Chimney systems

Producer Identification

Centrotec
Sustainable AG
Am Patbergschen Dorn 9
59929 Brilon
info@centrotec.de
www.centrotec.de

Production Location

Verhuellweg 9
6984AA Doesburg
The Netherlands
Prefabricated Chimney System - Stainless
Steel
Versions:
Single walled
Double walled

Product Description

Name, Function of the Responsible

Employee

Pieter van der Poel

Managing director Ubbink-Centrotherm

Notified Body

Kiwa Gastec Certification

Wilmersdorf 50
7327 AC Apeldoorn
The Netherlands

0036 CPD 6874

Certificate Number

Description of Documents in conformity with EN 1856

0.1

Stainless Steel
Chimney system
Single walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L50040

O(20)

Chimney system single walled

Flue gas components: Stainless Steel

0.2

Stainless Steel
Chimney system
Double walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L50040

O(00)

Chimney system double walled

Flue gas components: Stainless Steel
Air inlet components:
Metal

0.3

Stainless Steel
Chimney system
Double walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L50040

O(00)

Chimney system double walled

Flue gas components: Stainless Steel
Air inlet components:
Plastics

Producdescription

Extension/Moulded component
of a
Metal - Chimney system
System vertical load

Norm-Nr.

Temperature class

27m
Gas flue flow resistance
Average wall roughness: 1.0mm
-Values moulded components in conformity
with EN13384-1

Pressure class

Thermal transmittance 0.0W/mK

Condensate resistance

Corrosion resistance

Soot fire resistance

06 C e n t ro t h e r m

Flexural Rigidity
Tensile Strength: n.p.d.
Slanted Installation: n.p.d.
Windload: n.p.d.
Freeze-Thaw resistance
Yes

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Declaration of conformity for aluminium systems

Conformity Declaration and Product Information

EN 1856-1
Requirements for Metal Systems
Part 1 Components for Prefabricated Chimney systems

Centrotec
Sustainable AG

Producer Identification

Am Patbergschen Dorn 9
59929 Brilon
info@centrotec.de
www.centrotec.de

Verhuellweg 9
6984AA Doesburg
The Netherlands
Prefabricated Chimney System - Aluminium
Versions: Single walled
Double walled

Production Location

Product Description

Name, Function of the Responsible

Employee

Pieter van der Poel

Managing director Ubbink-Centrotherm

Notified Body

Kiwa Gastec Certification

Wilmersdorf 50
7327 AC Apeldoorn
The Netherlands

0036 CPD 6874

Certificate Number

Description of Documents in conformity with EN 1856-1 Anex ZA

0.1

Aluminium
Chimney system
Single walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L13150
Vm-L10150

O(20)

Chimney system single walled

Fluegas components:
Aluminium

0.2

Aluminium
Chimney system
Double walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L13150
Vm-L10150

O(00)

Chimney system double walled

Fluegas components:
Aluminium
Air inlet components:
Metal

0.3

Aluminium
Chimney system
Double walled

EN1856-1

T200

P1

Vm-L13150
Vm-L10150

O(00)

Chimney system double walled

Fluegas components:
Aluminium
Air inlet components:
Plastics

Product description

Extension/Moulded component
of a
Metal - Chimney system
System vertical load

Norm-Nr.

Temperature class

50m
Gas flue flow resistance
Average wall roughness: 1.0mm
-Values moulded components in conformity
with EN13384-1

Pressure class

Thermal transmittance 0.0W/mK

Condensate resistance

Corrosion resistance

Soot fire resistance

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Flexural Rigidity
Tensile Strength: n.p.d.
Slanted Installation: n.p.d.
Windload: n.p.d.
Freeze-Thaw resistance
Yes

C e n t ro t h e r m

07

Te c h n i c a l d e s c r i p t i o n a n d p e r f o r m a n c e
Accessories
A comprehensive range of terminals and intakes
for roofs & walls, as well as support brackets,
condensate traps and connectors.

System configurations
Single wall systems: exhaust gas flues available in
rigid or flexible polypropylene, aluminium or
stainless steel, and in a range of diameters from
60 - 315mm, with 400mm and 630mm diameter
sections available from 2009. Sections are
supplied in 250, 500, 1000 and 2000mm
lengths, with a range of bends and connectors.
Flexible polypropylene pipes are available in 12.5
and 25m rolls.

Application guide
The flue pipe material must be matched to the
boiler type and the proposed fuel (see below).

Pipe materials
Polypropylene
2mm thick rigid or flexible pipes

Flue sections are joined using high performance

H1 seals which are suitable for service pressures
up to 5000Pa and are resistant to corrosive
condensate. Once installation lubricants have
dried the seals provide firm junctions between
sections.

60 - 315mm diameter (single wall)

Peroxide seals (H1 5000Pa)
Translucent finish up to 250mm, but with
some diameters also available in black or grey
Translucent finish not UV-stabilised so must not
be exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.
Black and grey are UV-stabilised.

Concentric flue systems combining exhaust

gas flue (inner) and air intake pipe (outer)
Available in combinations of:
polypropylene inner with plastic, aluminium or
stainless steel outer

Aluminium
1.5 - 1.7mm thick (exhaust flue) or 0.8mm
thick (air intake)

aluminium inner with polypropylene,

aluminium or stainless steel outer

80 - 130mm diameter (single wall).

Silicon seals (P1 200Pa)

stainless steel inner and outer.

Natural finish, but with some diameters also

available in white (RAL 9016)

Diameters (inner/outer) range from 60/100mm to

250/300mm. Some concentric flue systems are
suitable for external use.

May be left exposed to atmosphere.

Stainless steel
0.4mm thick

Centrotherm systems can be used to convert

chimneys to balanced flues which incorporate an
air intake, enabling straightforward replacement
of an existing boiler by a fanned flue condensing
boiler in the same location.

80 - 200mm diameter (single wall)

Silicon seals (P1 200Pa)
Natural finish
May be left exposed to atmosphere.

Flue material

Boiler type
Condensing gas Condensing oil

Polypropylene
Aluminium
Stainless steel

08 C e n t ro t h e r m









Non-condensing gas

Non-condensing oil

Solid fuel




Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Design
Overview
Centralised boiler systems are common in
commercial buildings, offering high levels of
efficiency and control. They also offer significant
benefits in residential projects where compliance
with Part L and Code for Sustainable Homes
cannot be achieved by means of electric heating
systems.
Whilst individual boilers may offer a theoretical
solution for appartments there are substantial
problems in supplying fuel for each occupancy
and arranging for discharge of exhaust gases,
both of which have substantial implications for
compliance with Part B of Building Regulations.
A centralised boiler house containing multiple gas
or oil boilers offers a means of complying with
the carbon emission requirements of Part L,
which is practical and cost-effective, and
minimises compliance issues.

Boiler location
Centrotherm flue systems offer designers
considerable flexibility in the location of the
boiler: they may be located within the main
building with an internal flue, or in a selfcontained annex with the flue running up the
exterior of the building.

Flue design
The flue must be rated for use with the specified
boiler type: use the CE declarations on pages
05 - 07 in conjunction with the guidance notes
on page 04 to determine the performance
requirement of the flue.
The flue must be sized for the specified boiler(s).
The optimum diameter depends on the layout,
boiler capacity, fuel and exhaust rate.
Centrotherm offers a flue sizing service and can
advise on optimum design of the flue for the
system configuration. The illustrations on pages
11 - 17 show flue configurations suitable for a
number of boiler and flue combinations.

In order to minimise resistance to the passage of

exhaust gases, flues should be designed to run
vertically, with the minimum number of bends.
The use of flexible polypropylene pipes enables
small variations in direction to be accommodated
without the need for rigid bends.
Positive pressure cascade systems which link
multiple boilers should be fitted with non-return
valves, to prevent exhaust gases from one boiler
affecting the operation of the others. The use of
non-return valves enables narrower flues to be
specified: the boilers must have been tested for
positive pressure applications. Alternatively,
positive/negative systems allow boilers to be used
without non-return values: this will allow a slight
reduction in flue diameter. Consult Centrotherm
for further guidance.

Fire
Flues carrying exhaust gases must be isolated
from combustible materials. Where flues
penetrate fire compartment floors or walls they
must not compromise the compartmentation.
The opening for the flue must be appropriately
fire stopped. (See Approved Document B
section 7 and the ASFP publication Fire stopping
and penetration seals for the construction
industry). Rigid and flexible polypropylene flues
can be fire stopped using intumescent collars
designed to collapse the pipe in the event of a
fire.

Termination
The wide range of Centrotherm terminals enables
flues to be terminated through pitched roofs, flat
roofs and walls. In order to ensure the well-being
of building occupants, flue terminals should not
be sited in close proximity to openings.
For limitations on siting of flue outlets of gas
appliances consult Approved Document J
diagrams 3.4 and 3.5 and the associated tables;
for oil appliances consult diagram 4.2; for solid
fuel appliances consult diagram 2.1.
Ubiflex flashings should be used to provide
weather protection at terminal penetrations.

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

09

Flue system overview

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIII
IIIII
I
I
I
I
II
IIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Air supply
Exhaust gas

Typical flue systems

The diagram above and the visuals shown on
pages 11 - 17 show some typical Centrotherm
flue systems for single and multiple condensing
boilers. The systems accommodate applications
where the flue pipes are required to run up the
internal wall, external wall, within straight
enclosures, angled enclosures and where air is
drawn into the boiler from internal rooms or the
outside air.
Other flue configurations including horizontal
terminations are available.
Flue configurations and sizing can be carried out
by our team using the KESA Aladin Design
Programme.

10 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Flue system 1
Single wall flue (air supply from boiler room)
Boiler
Connector

Air supply
Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Roof terminal

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

11

Flue system 2
Single wall flue - flexible pipe in enclosure (air supply from boiler room)
Boiler

Connector
Air supply
Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Flexible pipe
Roof terminal

Installation constraints
for flexible pipes
D
<45

r >3D

12 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Flue system 3
Concentric flue (air supply via flue enclosure)
7

Boiler

Connector

Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Concentric - single wall adaptor
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Air supply
Roof terminal

2
1

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

13

Flue system 4
Single wall flue (air supply by dedicated pipework from outside boiler room)
Boiler
Connector
Air supply

Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Roof terminal

14 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Flue system 5
Concentric flue -external application (room-sealed appliance)
Boiler
Connector

Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Air supply
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Roof terminal

3
2

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

15

Flue system 6
Cascade system for multiple boilers (air supply from boiler room)
Boiler
Condensate drain

Connector with non-return valve

Air supply
Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Roof terminal

16 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

Flue system 7
Cascade system for multiple boilers (air supply by dedicated pipework from outside
boiler room)
Boiler
Condensate drain

Pipe at 3 to horizontal
Air supply
Vertical pipe supported at 2m intervals
Roof terminal

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

17

Sitework
Storage

Cutting

Components should be stored in a clean, dry

environment and in their original packaging.
Non-UV stabilised plastic components must be
protected from prolonged exposure to UV light.

Components should be selected to minimise

cutting. Where cutting is unavoidable, pipe
sections can be cut to length, but only at the
non-seal end. Any cuts must be made at right
angles to the pipe and the cut end bevelled for
insertion into the adjoining socket.

Health and safety

Where installation of a flue involves working at a
height a full risk assessment must be conducted
and appropriate safety measures put into place.

Bends and other pre-formed components must

not be cut.

Workmanship
Installation of Centrotherm flues does not require
any special tools.
Do not work with components which are at a
temperature of less than 0C.

Installation

Joining
1 Lubricate seals and male parts of pipes with
CENTROCERIN lubricant (note: other lubricants
may have an adverse effect on the seal).
2 Push male end of pipe into opening with light
twisting movement.
The use of translucent pipes enables installers to
check that seals have been fitted correctly.

Flues should be
supported at a
maximum of 2m
intervals vertically and
1m horizontally.
Additional supports
may be required at
bends on flexible pipes.

2m max.

Configuration
Pipes are joined by push-fit connections, with
peroxide or silicon sealing rings located in the
sockets. Pipes and components must be installed
with their socket ends to the outlet and male
ends to the appliance.

Inspection openings
should be located on
the upper side of
horizontal pipes, but
condensate drains should
be located on the underside.
Connectors from appliance and subsequent pipes
must be installed at 3 to horizontal (56mm fall
per linear metre), to enable condensate to drain.
At any lower angle there is a risk of water being
drawn into the seal chamber by capillary action,
resulting in rapid deterioration of the seal.

Commissioning
Once installation is complete the boiler system
and flue should be commissioned following the
boiler manufacturers instructions.

18 C e n t ro t h e r m

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

S u p p l y, t e c h n i c a l s u p p o r t & r e f e r e n c e s
Supply

References

Centrotherm flue systems are distributed in the

UK by approved suppliers.

Approved Documents to Building Regulations

Technical support
Centrothem offers comprehensive technical
support to designers and contractors working
with Centrotherm flue systems, including:
Copies of test certificates;
On-site visits by technical representatives;
Flue design and specification service
No matter what the size and location of the
project, Centrotherm can supply flue and
chimney systems, to meet the most exacting
requirements.

B - Volume 1 Dwellinghouses: 2006

B - Volume 2 Buildings other than
dwellinghouses: 2006
J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage
systems: 2002
J - 2002 Edition: Guidance and supplementary
information on the UK implementation of
European standards for chimneys and flues.
Building Standards Scotland:2007 Technical
Handbook - Domestic
Building Standards Scotland:2007 Technical
Handbook - Non-domestic
BS EN 1443:2003 Chimneys.
General requirements.
EN 13384 Chimneys - Thermal and fluid
dynamic calculation methods
- Part 1 Chimneys serving one appliance
- Part 2 Chimneys serving more than one
heating appliance
- Part 3 Methods for the development of
diagrams and tables for chimneys serving
one heating appliance
BS 5410 Code of practice for oil firing.
- Part 1:1997 Installations up to 45kW output
capacity for space heating and hot water
supply purposes
BS 5440-1:2008 Flueing and ventilation for gas
appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW
net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases).
Specification for installation of gas appliances
to chimneys and for maintenance of chimneys
Fire stopping and penetration seals for the
construction industry. Association of Specialist
Fire Protection. 2008. (available from
www.asfp.org.uk)

Every effort has been taken in the preparation of this brochure to ensure the accuracy of representations contained herein.
Recommendations as to the use of materials, construction details and methods of installation are given in good faith and relate to
typical situations. However, every site has different characteristics and reliance should not be placed on the foregoing
recommendations. Advice can be given as to specific applications of the products, upon request to Centrotherm.

Advanced plastic & metal flue system solutions for condensing boilers

C e n t ro t h e r m

19

E UROPE S

LEADING BOILER FLUE SYSTEMS

Centrotherm are a European leader in flue systems offering

advanced solutions for commercial and residential applications,
in both plastic and metal, for gas and oil boilers.

Ubbink (UK) Ltd., Borough Road, Brackley, Northants NN13 7TB

Tel: 0845 456 3499 Fax: 01280 705 332 Email: centrotherm@ubbink.co.uk

www.centrothermflues.co.uk