PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2025 Pipes, Fittings& Valves


Multi-layer pipe rises to the challenge


Stringent regulations and growing demand for sustainable solutions are only adding to the pressure on installers, particularly those working across commercial projects and multi-occupancy residential buildings. Antony Corbett at Geberit explores how multi-layer piping systems can help.


T


here continues to be a wide range of factors impacting modern construction projects. Increased and


evolving housing demands have seen the growth of apartments, student housing and other multi-occupancy buildings that often require complex heating and cooling systems. Tighter installation spaces to maximise living space, more stringent acoustic requirements and growing pressure for more sustainable products are also impacting installers, even before you consider changes to Building Regulations Part L. Installers have adapted, with


the rise of off -site manufacturing and prefabricated systems helping to provide complex piping systems (among other solutions) more quickly, with fewer works on site resulting in productivity gains. Material choice is another


area which has seen continued development, particularly with the evolution of multi-layer piping systems, off ering a cost-effi cient and reliable solution to overcome many of the challenges faced.


First choice For decades, the plumbing industry has debated the merits of plastic versus copper piping. However, with these evolving challenges, there has been a renewed emphasis on the benefi ts of multi-layer systems. Multi-layer pipes typically


consist of three layers, with a central aluminium layer sandwiched between two plastic layers. Geberit’s FlowFit system includes the aluminium layer, with a plastic (PE-RT Type II) layer either side. This unique construction off ers a compelling alternative to traditional materials, addressing common issues such as corrosion, scaling and heat loss, with an easier and quicker installation method than metal piping systems. Each material brings its own


performance benefi ts. The aluminium layer, for example, off ers the mechanical stability necessary to ensure that the pipe remains in place but also fl exible enough to enable it to bend into the required position, with fewer connections for a quicker installation. It also provides the pipe with an oxygen diff usion


Antony Corbett Product applications engineer at Geberit


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Geberit FlowFit can be inserted directly after being cut to length, making deburring and calibration of the pipes unnecessary


barrier, making it suitable for central heating systems and ensuring it is detectable by electronic devices following installation. The plastic layers resist corrosion and ensure a smooth internal bore. The benefi ts of multi-layer


piping systems for installers are substantial. The installation process is streamlined, with no need for hot works or additional consumables on site. These systems are versatile, suitable for various applications, from potable water to heating systems. Their durability, including resistance to corrosion, cracking, and scale build-up, ensures a longer service life. If that’s not enough, the excellent thermal insulation


Just two pressing jaws are required to press the eight dimensions from d16 to d75 – this allows installations to be processed eff ortlessly without changing jaws


properties of multi-layer pipes contribute to energy effi ciency, aligning with the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations for the conservation of fuel and power. Our FlowFit system further


exemplifi es these advantages, off ering a unique press- fi t technology that further optimises the installation process. Only two pressing jaws are required for the entire range of eight pipe dimensions, ensuring an effi cient solution that can enhance productivity on site, particularly in confi ned spaces. In one cost analysis for a


It’s easy to see why multi-layer piping offers a compelling case for even the most staunch advocates of copper or plastic


Since the user


only has to place the pressing jaw on the fi tting from one side going forward, installation is so much more convenient


care home installation, FlowFit off ered a 37% reduction in total project cost compared with copper press-fi t pipework, with the savings due almost entirely to the speed of installation. This is largely because 16 and 20mm pipes (which represented 89% of the total system in this example) can be bent to shape by hand, instead of installing elbows and additional fastening points. The cost analysis also showed


signifi cant savings when comparing the FlowFit system to other multi-layer piping systems, particularly due to tooling advancements and a signifi cant reduction in pipe diameters across the fl ow-optimised system. FlowFit is the only plastic


multi-layer system to include swept geometry in bends, which results in minimised pressure losses, closer to that of metal pipework. This means that the water fl ows through the piping system and to the point of use with less pressure loss, meaning that piping systems can be planned and installed with much smaller diameters.


Well established Multi-layer piping is not a new technology. The fi rst multi-layer composite pipes were introduced to the UK market more than 40 years ago but for a long time were used primarily in industrial applications. Now, with continued product development and new pressures on installers, this unique solution gives installers a proven solution to many common challenges including tight installation space, productivity demands and cost pressures. Combining the benefi ts of


copper and plastic, multi-layer piping systems also overcome acoustic challenges in piping systems, with acoustic insulation properties which reduce noise during water fl ow when compared with metal piping. Furthermore, fi ttings are manufactured in such a way which means reduced turbulence during water fl ow – and that’s where the noise typically stems from in other systems. They also tick the box for


sustainability. These fully recyclable systems help reduce a building’s carbon footprint, with a lightweight construction and low scrap value that decreases transportation emissions and discourages potential theft from construction sites. Moreover, the superior thermal insulation properties of multi-layer pipes minimise heat loss, enhancing energy effi ciency. As with any evolution of


building materials, inertia remains the biggest barrier. However, in the context of current project challenges, it’s easy to see why multi-layer piping off ers a compelling case for even the most staunch advocates of copper or plastic. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/32


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