AIR CONDITIONING
Pressure testing – the key to a good seal
The plumbing and HVAC industries have seen significant technological advancements in recent years with the dramatic rise of ‘press-fit’ being one of the ‘stand-out’ success stories. Lisa Cox, national sales manager – UK and Ireland for Conex Bänninger, takes an informed look at why this technology has been such a game-changer
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new generation of tradesperson is coming through into the industry and, for them, press-fit is likely to be the preferred option.
There are many good reasons for this – it’s a safer, faster, and a more reliable option for creating pipe connections compared to brazing, enabling significant savings in time can be made on large scale installations that require extensive pipework and jointing to be undertaken.
Using a >B< Press fitting
Choosing the correct tube for the job and cutting to size with the pipe cutter is essential. The tube then needs to be deburred inside and out to ensure no debris is left in the pipework and that it has a smooth finish. Check the fitting is the right size for the tube and that the O-rings are present, undamaged and correctly seated. The tube needs to be fully inserted into the fitting until it reaches the tube stop. Mark the insertion depth on the tube. Prior to pressing, ensure the tube has not moved
out from the fitting socket. Next, take the fitting and put it into the jaw. Press the joint using a press machine to achieve the perfect joint.
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left incomplete and leak. The design allows for one press either side of the O-ring and one compressing the O-ring itself. It has an unpressed joint indicator for testing, and the leading edge protects the O-ring from displacing during installation. Whilst press-fit is two to three times faster than
brazing or solder, another major advantage of press-fit is the safety element. Installers don’t require a hot works permit
to complete a job, nor do they have to spend considerable time conducting site safety assessments. Removing these tasks provides savings both in time and money.
Pressure testing is critical
Above: Lisa Cox, national sales manager – UK and Ireland for Conex Bänninger
Mark the completed joint after pressing. One of the stand-out benefits of press fittings – particularly three-point press – is the added layer of security and peace of mind installers have that the risk is minimised of a fitting being
Critical on any job is ensuring that the joints are water-tight, and to ensure this proper pressure testing needs to be carried out. However, this must be done at low-pressure as doing such checks at a high pressure may displace the O-ring within the fitting without showing signs of a visible leak. Initially testing should commence at around 0.5 bar and then increasing the pressure gradually over the course of an hour up to 6 bar. Even with the reliability of press-fit, there is a small chance of a poor seal if installed incorrectly or if the O-ring is dislodged. By detecting any weak points early in the process, will save time and money before the system is fully operational. By pressure testing correctly, the installer can
avoid future major faults from occurring and the potential cost implications that could arise from this. Getting it right first time means that the customer can be reassured that the installation will be leak-free for years to come, whilst providing installers the confidence that they will not have to revisit the job and correct any faults.
22 March 2025
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