COVER STORY
Legionella, leaks and lost time: why the industry is shifting to air pressure testing
T
The plumbing industry is at a crunch point, with installers under pressure to complete jobs more quickly whilst juggling an ever-growing list of new clients. This makes it essential for them to find new ways of delivering high-quality work at a faster pace.
his is where innovative technology and solutions come to the fore. Air pressure testing has become one of those game-changers, offering a safer, more efficient way of working.
Andrew Coy, Territory Product Manager at leading plumbing and drainage manufacturer Wavin, discusses the benefits of air pressure testing and how it can reduce health risks and save time on site.
Tight on time
For decades, plumbers have used water to pressure test systems and check for leaks. Whilst this is a tried and tested method, it’s not always the most practical or effective option, es- pecially when it comes to being sustainable. Water is a valuable resource, and plumbers and engineers can use hundreds of litres just to conduct these tests. That water is often wasted and not reused. Transporting water to site also costs installers and construction firms both time and money. From needing to bring water on site in the first place to conduct the tests, to then needing to drain and dry the sys-tem, which is a lengthy process in itself.
The question of health and safety
Time is not the only factor at play. Using water in pressure tests means that pipes have to be drained and dried properly to eliminate the risks of leaving stagnant water, which can lead to a build-up of legionella bacteria. It thrives in pipes as the damp and dark conditions allow for the bacteria to grow quickly. On projects like commercial office developments or high rise apartment blocks, where build times run into months and even years, this can be a real problem. The plumbing system tends to be one of the first internal jobs to be completed, and damp pipes may be left for weeks before they are flushed through again. This can lead to high levels of contamination and a major health and safety risk. That risk increases further on developments
such as schools and hospitals where public health is at play. Air pressure testing removes the risk of stagnant water and bacteria growth by removing the need for water altogether, making it a better option from a health perspective.
Making space for progress
Although water pressure testing is still the most commonly used method, air pressure test-ing is starting to be seen as a viable alternative as innovative products enter the market. Wavin’s Tigris K5 press fit system is a clear example of this. It gives off a distinctive acoustic alert, or whistle, if there are any leaks or gaps in the system making problems easier and quicker to solve. And it’s impossible to miss, given it rings out at 80 decibels. Research also shows it saves on average 20 minutes compared to water testing, making it an easy choice for installers who are tight on time.
Looking forward
The innovations in the plumbing industry around air pressure testing have improved expo- nentially, making it easier and safer to conduct. However, government guidance needs to keep pace as current guidelines state that air pressure testing is less safe than water pres-sure testing. When done properly, following the manufacturer’s guidance, this isn’t the case and can offer a huge amount of benefits to a sector
under pressure to deliver at pace. With demand for plumbers at an all-time high, saving time on the job is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Using air to pressure test has been proven to save time on site, improve the efficiency of installers and maintain safety standards. For more information of Tigris please visit:
https://wavin.com/gb/s/C01_F001_S278/tigris-k5- mlcp-press-fit/d
About Wavin UK
Wavin is an innovative solution provider for the building and infrastructure industry across multiple continents. Backed up by 60+ years of expertise, we are geared up to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges around: water supply, sanitation, climate-resilient cities and building performance. At Wavin, we focus on creating positive change in the world and our passion is building live-able and loveable places. We engage and collaborate with city leaders, engineers, planners, and installers to help make cities future-proof and buildings comfortable and energy-efficient. Wavin is part of Orbia, a community of companies bound together by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Wavin has 12,000+ employees in 40+ countries worldwide and operates under brands like Wavin, Amanco and Pavco.
16 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2025
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