PIPES & FITTINGS
Specifying systems to meet supply demands in tall buildings
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Giles Coombes, senior product manager at Polypipe Building Services, looks at the key performance benefits of multi-layer water supply systems
ater supply systems in high-rise residential and commercial buildings do a tough job. Most importantly any system must be robust enough to deal with
the high-water pressure and consistent flow rate required to meet the supply demands of hundreds of occupants. But installation must also be achieved efficiently – a particular challenge with today’s limited build schedules. Choosing an effective water supply system that meets these requirements and offers a fully comprehensive riser-to-branch solution is therefore itself a significant challenge for specifiers. Recent technological advances in the design of multi-layer water supply systems now make these products a smart choice to meet these demands.
Robust construction
Recent developments in the composition of multi-layer plastic piping systems have resulted in improved performance and durability to deliver a superior level of stability and strength – far beyond that of traditional plastic piping, which is often regarded as being flimsy or fragile.
Our MecFlow Fusion range (available from 20mm to 315mm diameters) is a perfect illustration of how these materials have evolved. Our Fusion pipe material incorporates a white inner layer with anti-microbial protection, and a central layer that is reinforced by microfibres laid in a mesh formation. The third outer layer has also been UV stabilised to protect against oxidisation by direct exposure to sunlight. This new multi-layered material makes our system more robust and offers a higher level of mechanical resistance to expansion and contraction when exposed to fluctuating temperatures and pressures. MecFlow Fusion also offers the benefit of our unique patented CLICKWELD technology (available from 50mm to 125mm diameters) which combines the reliability of an electrofusion weld but with added clip connections, removing the need for clamping and scraping. This allows for pre-assembly before the final weld, cutting installation time on site by up to a third.
Riser-to-branch solution
For specifiers it can be a challenge to find a fully comprehensive and integrated system to supply water into a building, up the risers and onto
apartment and corridor installations. Recently introduced additions to our water supply range include MecFlow Press (available from 16mm to 32mm diameters), a multi-layer composite pipe consisting of PEX, aluminium and PE-RT layers. Together with a comprehensive range of fittings, the system offers flexibility, high strength, durability, and temperature resistance. The leak-before-press function and visual inspection windows will ensure a successful installation.
Chemical, abrasion, and bacterial resistance
A key issue with systems manufactured using traditional materials is that the internal bore can corrode, allowing bacteria to build-up over time. However, the internal layers of MecFlow Supply Systems’ pipe materials offer a high level of chemical resistance, particularly to abrasive liquids. With anti-microbial protection also built in to prevent pathogens developing, our systems are suitable for use in health care settings as well as within high-rise buildings – making it the perfect solution for hot and cold-water installations while ensuring long-term technical performance in all settings.
Water system noise
Water which is supplied at high flow rates to multiple rooms within high-rise buildings, creates the potential for noise transmission in pipework. For example, a ‘water hammer’ noise can often be caused by appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, which shut off quickly. Given that we spend much of our time indoors, it is important that water supply pipework keeps noise levels to a minimum. The material properties of MecFlow multi- layer pipes help to reduce noise and acoustic vibrations and therefore ensure minimal disruption for building residents where higher loads and multiple dwellings could contribute to higher noise pollution.
Design smarter
By collaborating with our technical experts at Polypipe Building Services, we can also solve complex application challenges to improving system designs and ensure schedules are kept as lean as possible.
Our Advantage bespoke pre-fabrication service is a great example of this in action.
18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2024 A better all-round solution
Having made significant investment in expanding our portfolio to include both MecFlow Fusion and MecFlow Press, we’re committed to keep working with our customers to provide the best building services solutions for their projects. From schools, hospitals, and tall buildings to shopping centres, local authorities, commercial developments and industrial projects, we provide fully comprehensive supply solutions that help our customers create safe and sustainable services within their buildings. Recognising the challenges the construction industry faces, we continuously research and develop products & services, by delivering innovations like MecFlow Supply Systems and introducing our Advantage proposition, we support our customers so that together, we can achieve more.
For more information about MecFlow water supply systems from Polypipe Building Services visit
www.polypipe.com/mecflow
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
Advantage provides specifiers and contractors with an end-to-end design, fabrication, delivery, and technical support service which creates tailored fabricated systems, making installation faster and simpler. We can also remove many of the risks associated with fabricating supply systems on-site. All system components provided by the Advantage service are manufactured in a controlled environment where every assembly is air tested as standard to ensure that specifiers can have absolute confidence in that system. Access to technical data is another key
requirement for specifiers. The MecFlow range is therefore supported by a range of REVIT files designed to an approved BSI Kitemark. These tools, which include environmental product declarations, enable systems to be designed with a simple, pre-engineered, data rich 3D model - which, at the click of a button, you can transfer to us to for quotation.
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