PLUMBING & DRAINAGE
for the introduction of mandatory sustainable drainage for years. In December, over 40 organisations released an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take the plans one step further; strongly urging the government to implement Section 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act, making SuDS standard in all new developments. They noted that at least 3.2 million properties were at risk of flooding in the UK, and that floods already cost an average of £1.3 billion per year in damages alone. This was obviously the wakeup call the policy makers have needed.
As a specialist supplier, we have been able to grow quickly within this market place; however, this positive step forward for sustainable engineering will undoubtedly see some big changes to the drainage and building supplies industry.
The call for a more resilient ‘Green Infrastructure’ of course plays a huge role in the demand for these drainage solutions, but the ease and speed of the build and the value of the engineering are also important factors. As a business, we foresaw the large increase in demand of these solutions and in recent years have entered the SuDS market, now selling products such as our own Flood Crate System, Easi-Roll cellular ground reinforcement and Easi-Base, deep access chambers. Deep access chambers not only save on cost, but negate the necessity for heavy commercial machinery,
to an outlet by using JG Speedfit Polybutylene pipe. In addition to limiting leak points, this makes maintenance simple. Seeing as a single leak can lose up to 1,400 gallons of water in 24 hours, you really do want to take as many efforts as possible to prevent them from happening. “
Bateman says the specialised push-fit valve range from JG Speedfit, which bring together different functions into one
fitting that saves space and installation time can make a plumbing system greener too. “Double check valves combined with service valves for outside taps can save a lot of space under the sink, for instance. There are also lever-operated shut off valves, hand-operated shut off taps, or screwdriver-operated valves that can shut off water supply with a single turn.” He adds: “The capability to isolate water supplies, inherently reduces the need to drain
speed up installation and are far more suitable to design changes with short lead times for manufacture. The silt traps and large diameter Weholite pipes we stock can be supplied and delivered on a large scale. This makes it more efficient for contractors and site developers to use these more environmentally friendly products.
Solutions like this not only fit the sustainability criteria to help protect our environment, they save on time and labour and with clever engineering. Some solutions, such as our previously mentioned silt traps, can even help to store water to supplement our UK water supplies. The shutdown of some clay drainage giants in this country only consolidates this shift within the industry towards SuDS materials, with the likes of Naylor Industries shutting its doors in the 90’s. In turn, sustainable products have grown 50% in market shares in recent years compared to concrete and brickwork drainage methods.
It is my hope that these innovative ideas, trends and solutions continue to drive the demand with contractors rather than existing supply chain arrangements. With climate change in mind, value engineering solutions should be the driving force for all developments for private clients, architects and engineers and sometimes frustratingly, these products are not being taken up by everyone. Our industry is full of highly experienced individuals, running
water off the whole property. This then helps to save gallons of water should servicing and maintenance be required on the plumbing and heating system. Therefore, making for a much greener system overall.”
The JG Speedfit Twist & Lock range is easier to use in confined spaces by removing the need for hot works and tools. It provides an instant, flame-free, push-fit connection, that can be installed and demounted in seconds without tools. This is largely due to the fittings’ Grip & Seal collet with stainless steel teeth and its main O-Ring seal. Furthermore, the polybutene plastic is a non-toxic material, that resists both corrosion and scale build-up. This ensures that the fittings are watertight and long lasting, preventing any need for repairs and providing a more environmentally friendly plumbing solution overall. The fittings are available in multiple key bends such as straight connectors, tee tube connectors, and equal elbow connectors, which ensure you can push the green agenda from every angle. Of course, Bateman points out that preventing the need for repairs and providing a longer lasting solution is not just a requirement for indoor plumbing systems, and that every
February 2023
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
successful companies and together with government policy, this knowledge must to be utilised to make a significant change. Working closely with suppliers such has Harlequin and Kingspan provides an exciting insight into the future of the drainage industry. The comprehensive ranges of treatment plants and water storage solutions being continually designed and manufactured mean that projects of all sizes will be able to incorporate SuDS going forward; a considerable step in the right direction. Two things are for certain; the extreme weather will continue and more infrastructure will be built. It’s essential now, more than ever, that our drainage systems are resilient and sustainable enough to cope with this burden on our resources. It’s up to us as suppliers to be ahead of the game; knowledgeable and confident in what we are providing for contractors, at the forefront of this new era of civil engineering. BMJ
year, thousands of pounds are spent on repairing outdoor plumbing systems too. Issues with underground pipework are significantly reduced with plastic push-fit MDPE fittings like those in the JG Speedfit range, he says. “Like all plastic push-fit fittings, the fitting is sealed by simply pushing the fitting into the pipe, which drastically reduces the chance that the fitting will be insufficiently installed upon first installation. Underground leaks can be extremely laborious to deal with; ground needs to be dug up to identify problems, which requires specialist machinery. Push-fit MDPE fittings assures a reliable and leak-proof seal, and with the JG Speedfit range, the installation is right first time. This of course makes for a longer lasting and more environmentally friendly system overall.”
Think green, think push-fit By requiring less repairs from installers, a reduced installation time, and by providing a leak resistant connection, plastic push-fit fittings provide a long-lasting and environmentally conscious plumbing solution, which ensures that even the most sustainable of homes can remain so for many years to come. BMJ
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