PIPES, VALVES & FITTINGS
As the construction industry grapples with unprecedented challenges in sustainability, energy efficiency and labour shortages, the choice of piping materials has become a critical decision for building services engineers. While the traditional copper versus plastic debate has dominated discussions for decades, evolving building standards and technological innovations are forcing a fundamental rethink of this binary approach. Antony Corbett, Product Applications Engineer at Geberit, investigates the options
T A material debate
he construction sector’s historic reliance on conventional materials is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by the convergence of regulatory pressures, technological advancement and shifting market demands. This transformation presents both challenges and opportunities for building services engineers tasked with designing and implementing future-proof systems.
Engineering for current standards
The 2022 updates to Part L of the Building Regulations and the Future Homes Standard (2025) have intensified focus on system-wide energy efficiency. Modern piping solutions must demonstrate exceptional thermal performance while maintaining compatibility with emerging low-carbon technologies. This requirement for adaptability extends beyond material properties to encompass entire system designs. Recent advances in materials science have led to the development of piping systems that combine layers of different materials. These multi-layer composite solutions typically sandwich an aluminium core between layers of high-performance polymers, creating a blend of mechanical properties. The aluminium layer provides structural stability and oxygen barrier properties while enabling pipe detection post- installation. The polymer layers offer corrosion resistance and creates a smooth internal surface that minimises scaling and biofilm formation. The thermal performance of these hybrid systems represents a significant leap forward. With thermal conductivity rates of 0.43 W/m•K, they demonstrate notable heat loss reductions across a system. This significant improvement in thermal efficiency directly addresses the stringent requirements of modern building regulations while contributing to reduced operational costs. Moreover, these systems exhibit thermal expansion rates approximately one-tenth that of conventional plastic pipes, addressing one of the primary concerns that has historically limited the adoption of plastic alternatives. This stability ensures reliable long-term performance while simplifying installation and reducing the need for expansion compensation measures. The compatibility of modern piping systems with low-carbon heating technologies has become increasingly critical. As the industry moves towards heat pumps and potentially hydrogen-ready systems, piping infrastructure must demonstrate adaptability to various temperature ranges and operating pressures. This versatility ensures that today’s installations remain viable as building services evolve to meet future environmental targets.
Installation and practical considerations
The construction industry’s persistent skills shortage has elevated the importance of installation efficiency. Modern piping systems
must balance technical performance with practical considerations of on-site assembly. Press-fit technologies have therefore emerged as a crucial innovation, eliminating the need for hot works and reducing installation time significantly. The evolution of press-fit technology has
brought sophisticated quality assurance features. Modern systems like Geberit FlowFit incorporate visual indicators for successful connections, reducing the risk of installation errors and simplifying inspection procedures. This development is particularly significant given the industry’s skills shortage and the increasing pressure to maintain high standards while improving efficiency.
Flow optimisation has become a critical consideration in system design. Advanced computational fluid dynamics modelling has enabled the development of unique fittings with swept interior geometries that minimise turbulence and pressure losses. This innovation allows for smaller pipe diameters without compromising flow rates, creating valuable space savings in increasingly crowded service voids. Such a feature is exclusive to Geberit FlowFit. The reduction in required pipe diameters has far-reaching implications. Beyond the immediate material savings, smaller diameters mean reduced water volume within the system, leading to faster hot water delivery and improved energy efficiency. This optimisation also facilitates easier installation in confined spaces, a growing concern as building designs become more complex and space efficient. Tooling requirements have also seen similar innovation. Geberit FlowFit requires only two pressing jaws for an entire range of dimensions, representing a positive shift in installation methodology. This simplification reduces both initial investment costs and the physical burden on installers, while streamlining the installation process and minimising the risk of using incorrect tools.
Environmental and economic impact
While operational energy efficiency remains crucial, increasing attention is being paid to embodied carbon and end-of-life considerations. Modern piping systems must demonstrate comprehensive environmental credentials, from manufacturing processes through to recyclability. The industry is seeing innovations in recycling programmes for installation waste and the development of closed-loop material recovery systems. The economic case extends beyond material costs. Reduced installation time, decreased tool requirements and improved thermal performance contribute to a compelling total cost of ownership argument. The ability to optimise pipe diameters through improved flow characteristics can lead to significant material savings while creating valuable space for other services. Life cycle assessment has become increasingly
12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2025
sophisticated, considering factors such as manufacturing energy consumption, transportation impacts, installation efficiency, operational performance and end-of-life recycling potential. This comprehensive approach reveals that modern hybrid systems often outperform traditional materials across multiple environmental metrics. The durability of modern piping systems contributes significantly to their sustainability credentials. With defined service life expectations, and reduced maintenance requirements due to their corrosion resistance and scale prevention, these systems offer compelling long-term environmental benefits.
Going beyond convention
As building services engineering continues to evolve, the selection of piping systems must be approached with a holistic perspective. The challenge for building services engineers is to move beyond conventional material selection paradigms and adopt a more nuanced approach that considers the entire system lifecycle. This requires a deep understanding of both technical performance characteristics and practical installation considerations, balanced against environmental impact and economic viability.
Looking ahead, the integration of smart building technologies may further influence piping system selection. The ability to monitor flow rates, detect leaks and optimise system performance through digital technologies may become increasingly important considerations in material selection decisions. As we face increasingly stringent building
regulations and environmental targets, the choice of piping systems will continue to play a crucial role in achieving sustainable, efficient and cost-effective building services solutions. The industry must remain open to innovation while maintaining rigorous standards for performance and reliability. The future success of building services engineering will depend on our ability to embrace these advances while ensuring they meet the practical demands of modern construction.
www.geberit.co.uk/flowfit Read the latest at:
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