Why appropriate material selection for piping systems is key

Appropriate material selection is a critical part of the process when designing a supply piping system. Antony Corbett, product manager at Geberit, explains why the manufacturer has launched a new White Paper aimed at educating the industry on the risks of incorrect material choice.

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Getting material selection right can support building
efficiency, help meet applicable regulations, minimise running costs and
deliver a better environment for the end-user. Get it wrong and it can result
in anything from faulty fittings and pipe bursts, to corrosion and hygiene
issues such as limescale build-up or risk of Legionella.

Material choice

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that
construction output prices have risen 11% since 2015 and the construction
industry today faces even greater pressures. Consultants, building designers,
specifiers and contractors must work smarter to deliver projects on time and on
budget – and one way in which they can do that is make sure they are choosing
the most appropriate materials.

Supported by continued product development, many in the
industry have done this to their advantage over the years. Since the 1940s (and
particularly since the 1969 ban on lead piping in UK properties), copper has
been widely used due to its inherent stability and strength, together with its
resistance to the effects of heat and pressure.

In the 1980s and 1990s, flexible plastic piping came to the
fore; an inexpensive alternative to metal pipework systems, offering advantages
such as flexibility, ease of installation and resistance to freezing. Both
remain popular. In 2007, 90% of new domestic properties were built using
plastic piping for the hot and cold plumbing system, although copper remains
the most commonly specified material for all pipework, particularly in
high-rise projects.

Yet, there is a third, and increasingly viable, option for
hot and cold potable water systems, which can also deliver benefits across a
wide variety of other applications. Driven by key drivers such as cost,
reliability and ease of installation, project teams are turning to multi-layer
composite pipes – a strong, flexible and added-value option for building
services across any project.

Strong and flexible

Multi-layer piping systems consist of three main layers:

• An outer plastic layer usually made of polyethylene (PE-RT II) which protects against corrosion and mechanical damage. Non-reactive, fire retardant and flexible.
• A central aluminium layer which makes the pipe stable yet bendable. Typically 0.2-0.7mm thick.
• An inner plastic layer, which is usually made from the same or similar material to the outside layer.

Multi-layer pipework is not a new technology. In fact, the
first multi-layer composite pipes were introduced to the UK market over 40
years ago, but it has often been reserved for industrial applications. Now,
with greater discussion over materials selection and increased awareness of the
benefits, multi-layer pipework is proving to be an effective all-rounder which
can overcome many of the challenges identified throughout the specification and
installation process.

Educating the industry

In its latest white paper, ‘Multi-Layer Pipework – The Perfect All-Rounder’, Geberit looks at the challenges faced during the material specification process and the advantages that these systems can offer for those throughout the supply chain. The paper examines the benefits of using multi-layer systems, how the switch to these materials has and is happening – and why companies such as Geberit are embracing the technology to benefit projects, installers and the built environment.

To download a copy of the White Paper, visit geberit.co.uk/mepla