As a specifier or contractor of commercial plumbing
and HVAC systems you are probably already familiar with the benefits of using
stainless steel pipework systems.
For many years, stainless steel has been a
popular choice for pipework within the industrial sector and has made the leap
successfully into the commercial marketplace, probably helped by the rise of
sub-contracting enabling installers to gain experience in other sectors of the
market. Offsite pre-fabrication has also
become a common feature on projects.
Known as “the hygienic” metal, stainless
steel has a number of material, environmental and financial benefits which make
it a popular choice. More recently, its aesthetic characteristics have also
contributed to a rise in popularity thanks to the trend for industrial style
interiors. This, combined with its simple cleaning requirements, means that
pipework does not have to be hidden away and can instead form a part of the décor.
Amy Sedgwick, Market Manager – Press
Systems says: “We are seeing the emergence of stainless steel as the specifier
material of choice for pipework systems, which is already an area where
press-fit jointing is one of the most popular methods of installation. The
‘norm’ is to install 316 tube and fittings up to 108mm, but in a world of ever
increasing demands regarding cost, time and performance Pegler Yorkshire is
developing innovative solutions to challenge this area of the marketplace and
exceed expectations.”
Here she considers the specific benefits of
using Pegler Yorkshire’s 444 stainless steel range as part of a VSH XPress or
VSH Tectite piping system.
Superior resistance to corrosion
Probably the main reason for the rise in
popularity of stainless steel for pipework is its reputation as being superior
when resisting corrosion. 444 performs well against each of the four major
types of corrosion in the following ways:
1) Pitting Corrosion. This occurs when the
naturally occurring passive layer of stainless steel is compromised. A high %
of Chromium and Molybdenum is effective against this – both of which are very
much present in 444 tube.
2) Crevice Corrosion. This occurs in areas
where the metal has been worked or deformed. Major element to resist this is
Molybdenum.
3) Intergranular Corrosion. This occurs at
high temperatures (ie during welding). Grades stabilised with either titanium
or niobium work best against this (444!).
4) Stress Corrosion Cracking. The
combination of a mechanical load and a corrosive environment lead to cracks
forming in the metal, ferritic grades are best at resisting this from occurring
(444!)
Durability and resistance to environmental
conditions
The vast majority of products we use on a
daily basis contain stainless steel (car exhausts, washing machine drums – many
products with a long service life). Its excellent reputation for durability and
resistance to various environmental conditions mean that in the plumbing world
it is gaining particular popularity in geographic areas where water hardness is
a problem, for example parts of Scotland and the Channel Islands.
Stainless steel is an ideal material for
thermal disinfection as it can accommodate high temperatures in regular cycles
over a long period of time – making it a great choice for healthcare applications.
The SSF100 grey Viton o-ring which is available within the VSH XPress Stainless
product portfolio will create a system suitable for steam condensate
applications, also suitable for applications requiring purging and
disinfection.
Whole life cost-savings
The price of 444 is significantly less than
that of 316, meaning that significant savings are up for grabs. The 444 tube
from Pegler Yorkshire is also WRAS approved, meaning that the jump to
installing stainless steel will not be as expensive as one might think. If this
is considered alongside the additional benefits and cost savings that
installing a press-fit system can offer then the overall benefit will be
substantial.
Conclusion
Stainless steel 444 is fast being adopted
as a preferred metal grade within the commercial HVAC market. The cost benefit
vs 316 while still offering a similar level of corrosion resistance (which is
superior compared to other available commercial pipework grades) is commanding
attention from both specifiers and contractors alike. Installing 444 as a part
of a VSH XPress or VSH Tectite piping system gives you a 25 year system
guarantee so there is nothing to lose and a considerable amount to gain.
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The benefits of the whole VSH Tectite range and its heat free jointing, cement its market leading status as a metal push-fit system in the UK
Health and safety is something that has been at the root of operations since the very beginning at Pegler and so we are holding a health and safety week to maintain traction
Contractors are frequently asked to deliver work faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. Removing the risk of squeezed margins while at the same time delivering on time and on budget can be achieved by working closely with building products manufacturers such as Pegler who can support contractors to deliver projects faster, safely and profitably.
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At Pegler, we pride ourselves on our reputation for quality and innovation in an industry where product reliability and versatility is demanded. Our jointing solutions span the full range from the tried and trusted traditional to the newer modern methods such as push and press.
Pegler is delighted to announce that we have joined the leading Yorkshire manufacturing and engineering membership group Made in Yorkshire.
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Designers and installers of pipe-work systems, whether they are for domestic, commercial or industrial projects, are facing increasing pressure to deliver more cost-effective solutions which optimise performance and conform to exacting quality standards.
As part of our commitment to our local community, we’ve been supporting a number of initiatives designed to help young people make their way in the business world.
By Amy Sedgwick, Market Manager – Press Systems, Pegler Yorkshire.
As part of Pegler Yorkshire’s community
engagement activities, Farah Yasin from the Marketing Department went back to
school to help out with this year’s TEKK Challenge. Here she describes how the
10-week programme has helped pupils get to grips with science, technology,
engineering and maths skills…
As a specifier or contractor of commercial plumbing
and HVAC systems you are probably already familiar with the benefits of using
stainless steel pipework systems.
As a manufacturer, we know only too well
the truth of the saying “you’re only as good as your last performance”. Our
customers (and their customers) judge us on their most recent experience of our
heating and plumbing solutions, which is one of the reasons we are continually
evolving our ranges, as well as our processes, to make sure we provide the very
best products and services.
Clive Gill, Technical Information Administrator, has been responsible for managing the processes we use to share product data with our customers for over 10 years. He shared his experience of getting to grips with Building Information Modelling (BIM) at last year’s Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) BIM Workshop which took place just before its annual Bathroom and Kitchen Business Conference.
Well over half the work being carried out by heating engineers and contractors is on “live” sites, where traditional jointing methods can add extra workload in terms of paperwork and meeting health and safety requirements. Switching to modern press-fit jointing methods minimises on-site risks and means contractors can get on with the job in hand safely and quickly.