FLUID CONTROL SOLUTIONS
Standing up to the rigours of water supply in tall buildings
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Technological advances in the design of multi- layer water supply systems now make them a smart choice to meet the challenges of high-rise residential and commercial buildings. Here Giles Coombes, senior product manager at Polypipe Building Services, explains the key performance benefits of these products
n these buildings, performance in terms of water pressure and flow rate must be maintained for what can be hundreds of occupants, often within limited room as developers look to maximise floor space. The chosen system must help to keep the build schedule to a minimum. This means engineers need to ensure the
product they have chosen is up to the task, not only in terms of performance in use, but also for ease of installation and mitigating the risk of costly failures.
Robust construction
The development of multi-layer plastic piping systems offers a superior level of stability and strength, far removed from the fragile image “plastic pipe” might conjure.
Our MecFlow Fusion range (available from 20mm to 315mm diameters) incorporates a white inner layer with anti-microbial protection. The central layer is reinforced by microfibres set within a mesh formation making it robust and offering high mechanical resistance to expansion and contraction when exposed to fluctuating temperatures and pressures. Finally, the outer layer is UV stabilised to protect against oxidisation by direct exposure to sunlight. It also offers the benefit of our patented CLICKWELD technology (available from 50mm to 125mm diameters) which combines all the reliability benefits of an electrofusion weld with added clip connections, removing the need for clamping and scraping. This allows for pre- assembly installation before the final weld, cutting time on site by up to a third. For apartment and corridor installations we offer 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 ensures a successful installation.
Chemical, abrasion, and bacterial resistance
In traditional materials the internal bore can corrode and allow bacteria to build-up over time. However, the internal bore of MecFlow Supply Systems offers outstanding resistance to highly abrasive liquids. This makes it a suitable solution for hot and cold-water installations while ensuring long-term technical
performance. With anti-microbial protection built in to prevent pathogens developing, it is suitable for use in healthcare settings as well as within high-rise buildings.
Water system noise
Water flowing at high velocities to multiple rooms within high-rise buildings creates the potential for noise transmission in pipework. For example, a ‘water hammer’ noise can commonly be caused by appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, which shut off quickly. Given we spend the majority of our time indoors, it is vital that the design of the water supply pipework keeps noise levels to a minimum. Due to the material properties, our MecFlow multi-layer pipe solutions reduce noise and acoustic vibration which is essential to the comfort of building residents where higher loads and multiple dwellings lead to higher noise pollution.
Design smarter
By collaborating with Polypipe Building Services, an experienced and trusted supplier, we can identify opportunities to improve designs and keep schedules as lean as possible. A bespoke pre-fabrication approach, such as that offered by our Advantage service, is a great example of this in action. Advantage provides specifiers and contractors with design, fabrication, delivery, and technical support in one end-to-end service to create tailored fabricated systems, making installation faster
28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2024
and simpler. We can also remove many of the risks associated with installing supply systems on-site as our Advantage products are manufactured in a controlled environment where every assembly is air tested as standard to ensure confidence in the system. The MecFlow range is supported by a range of REVIT files designed to an approved BSI Kitemark. The tools provided, including environmental product declarations, offer the ability to design the system with a simple, pre- engineered, data rich 3D model and at the click of a button, you can transfer the design to us to provide a quotation against it.
A better all-round solution
Having made significant investment in expanding our portfolio to include not only MecFlow Fusion, but also MecFlow Press, we’re committed to working with our customers to provide the best building services solutions for their project. From schools, hospitals, and tall buildings to shopping centres, local authorities and commercial and industrial developments, we provide a supply solution that helps our customers create safe and sustainable services within buildings.
Recognising the challenges the construction industry faces, we continuously research and develop products and services, from creating MecFlow Supply Systems and introducing our Advantage proposition, we support our customers so that together, we can achieve more.
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www.bsee.co.uk
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