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   Guest_ | Jan 06, 2000 09:42pm | #1

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   Neither a tank nor a tankless water heater will provide this volume of hot water on demand. What you need is a pool heater. Check with a pool company.

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   Guest_ | Jan 07, 2000 02:25am | #2

   *I agree with Mike. An on demand won't give you anymore than 3-5 GPM on a normal rise.If there is already a boiler in place I suggest using and Ergomax indirect tank piped as a zone on the primary boiler piping. The reason I specifically recommend the Ergomax has to do with ASME issues. Using this indirect and placing 2-119 gallon insulated storage tanks maintained @ 160F and then tempering the water back down to whatever the baptistry requires (90-95F?) should probably satisfy your needs without breaking the budget.I'll try to round up a picture of a project I have done that uses this strategy and post it under this thread.Jeff

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   Guest_ | Jan 07, 2000 02:35am | #3

   *Seems to me there's a company called Fiberglass Specialties in Arkansas somehwere that specializes in Steeples, baptristies, and such. Sorry I don't have any more info at the moment.

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   Guest_ | Jan 07, 2000 03:04am | #4

   *Matthew,Click onb THIS LINK for a picture (photo#2) of a possible solution to your hot water needs using an existing water or steam boiler.In this particular application, the floor heating boiler is supplying 26 showers used for short periods a few times a week. The boiler is on the left (Blue) and a separate zone off the boiler is maintaining a preset temperature to a heat exchanger (small short white tank left of the boiler). Since the actual boiler water is contained in the tank and the domestic water runs through a series of 1/2" coils, ASME rating can be disregarded.The 2-119 gallon insulated storage tanks have a aquastat that controls a circulating pump between the HX tank and the storage. If due to standby (>1F) or a demand for domestic water the temperature of the HX drops below setpoint, the boiler is prioritized to deliver its entire heating capacity for domestic water. Should the temperature of the domestic water storage tanks drop below setpoint, the circulator comes on to satisfy the aquastat setting.On this particular public building, a savings of over 50% was realized using this strategy vs. separate domestic water heating equipment simply due to legitimately bypassing ASME certified equipment.Of course everything must meet local code approval.

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   Guest_ | Jan 07, 2000 03:25am | #5

   *Found this address from a set of building plan specs. No web address found but from the description on the plans, must be a high dollar choice. Alternative models are probably offered.WiedemannChurchProducts6101 49th StreetMuscatine, IA 52761800-553-9664

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   Guest_ | Jan 07, 2000 03:59pm | #7

   *Matthew,When Grandpa made the one for our church he had it fabricated by a local cultured marble company. It could be done in corian or concrete and tile. I would rig it up like a hottub since it is occasional use. The system JJ described would be great if the water was used as in a shower. Your use will be more like a hot tub. The water is recirulated and not used up. It will take a day or so for it to heat the water but that should be allright unless you have spontanious baptisms. You may also want to look at a passive solar heater with a recirulating pump.Rick Tuk

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   Matthew_Brandt | Jan 07, 2000 03:59pm | #6

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   I'm currently working on a church building and need some advice and leads on obtaining a baptistry (approx. 5'w & 9"l). Also, any comments about tankless v tank gas water heater in this application-bldg will be used 5-10 hrs/wk with occasional need for 1000 g of hot water. All replies welcome. Thanks, M Brandt