THE BENEFITS OF AN INTEGRATED PIPEWORK SOLUTION
The UK has seen a steady increase in the urban population in recent decades with a 18% increase since 2004. As urban areas become more densely populated, larger and more complex buildings are often required to provide the housing and high-quality commercial space required.
However, these larger scale developments can present challenges, especially when it comes to the design and installation of potable water and heating pipework. In many cases mains cold water needs to travel a significant distance from the point of supply to the building to the point of use. Also, the drive to decarbonise heating has meant that a wider range of buildings are utilising centralised heat sources, such as large modular commercial boilers, or heat networks (also known as district heating) rather than individual smaller boilers. In both cases, the water needs to be efficiently distributed to all areas of the building and without a critical loss of pressure.
While metal pipe has often been the go-to, multilayer composite (MLC) pipe is increasingly being used due to the advantages it offers. MLC pipe has an aluminium core with internal and external layers of polyethylene. This construction gives the pipework strength, durability and excellent pressure performance as well as flexibility. MLC pipe is highly suitable for large-scale projects as, depending on the manufacturer, it is available in a range of coil lengths. Longer lengths that can be formed to the required angle rather than cut and connected with elbow pieces means fewer connections overall. This not only minimises the potential for future issues but also helps avoid pressure losses. MLC pipe offers the same hygienic properties as copper but with more streamlined installation.
However, these larger scale developments can present challenges, especially when it comes to the design and installation of potable water and heating pipework. In many cases mains cold water needs to travel a significant distance from the point of supply to the building to the point of use. Also, the drive to decarbonise heating has meant that a wider range of buildings are utilising centralised heat sources, such as large modular commercial boilers, or heat networks (also known as district heating) rather than individual smaller boilers. In both cases, the water needs to be efficiently distributed to all areas of the building and without a critical loss of pressure.
While metal pipe has often been the go-to, multilayer composite (MLC) pipe is increasingly being used due to the advantages it offers. MLC pipe has an aluminium core with internal and external layers of polyethylene. This construction gives the pipework strength, durability and excellent pressure performance as well as flexibility. MLC pipe is highly suitable for large-scale projects as, depending on the manufacturer, it is available in a range of coil lengths. Longer lengths that can be formed to the required angle rather than cut and connected with elbow pieces means fewer connections overall. This not only minimises the potential for future issues but also helps avoid pressure losses. MLC pipe offers the same hygienic properties as copper but with more streamlined installation.
There are also significant advantages to having a single manufacturer solution for all the pipework as this will help make procurement, installer training and quality assurance far simpler. This means specifiers need to look for a pipework system that can meet the requirements of all areas of the building from large trunk pipework and risers to the final sections near the point of use.
For example, the Uponor Uni Pipe MLC is available in sizes up to 110mm diameter and depending on the size, can be supplied in coil lengths of up to 200 metres. The various sections of distribution pipework can be connected using our innovative RS Modular riser system. The highly versatile and flexible connection solution consists of 39 base and insert components that can be used to create over 300 different combinations to meet any requirement. Depending on the pipe sizes on either side of the connection, the corresponding inserts are simply connected to the modular base part using a simple and secure click and lock process. The fitting on the insert is then press-connected to the MLC pipe. This means that virtually any two sizes of pipe can be connected using a relatively small range of components. Where necessary, this also allows a large reduction in pipe sizes with minimal pipework space required.
For example, the Uponor Uni Pipe MLC is available in sizes up to 110mm diameter and depending on the size, can be supplied in coil lengths of up to 200 metres. The various sections of distribution pipework can be connected using our innovative RS Modular riser system. The highly versatile and flexible connection solution consists of 39 base and insert components that can be used to create over 300 different combinations to meet any requirement. Depending on the pipe sizes on either side of the connection, the corresponding inserts are simply connected to the modular base part using a simple and secure click and lock process. The fitting on the insert is then press-connected to the MLC pipe. This means that virtually any two sizes of pipe can be connected using a relatively small range of components. Where necessary, this also allows a large reduction in pipe sizes with minimal pipework space required.
This can also be combined with our tried-and-tested Uponor S-Press
connection technology and MLC pipe for the smaller dimension final
sections, such as those inside an apartment. This allows a complete
pipework solution to be achieved to take water from the street to the tap,
including distribution and vertical riser sections.The Uponor RS Modular and S-Press connections also have further advantages such as viewing windows on the fittings to check the pipe insertion depth – eliminating the risk of poor connections that will be liable to fail during the life of the system. They are also colour coded by size allowing easy identification of the correct fitting. For large and complex buildings, the choice of pipework solution will have a significant impact. MLC pipe has many benefits over more traditional metal pipe and is suitable for a
wide range of applications. Partnering with a manufacturer who can offer a complete pipework solution, including for the risers, is also an important consideration. Find out more about our RS Modular riser system here.
connection technology and MLC pipe for the smaller dimension final
sections, such as those inside an apartment. This allows a complete
pipework solution to be achieved to take water from the street to the tap,
including distribution and vertical riser sections.The Uponor RS Modular and S-Press connections also have further advantages such as viewing windows on the fittings to check the pipe insertion depth – eliminating the risk of poor connections that will be liable to fail during the life of the system. They are also colour coded by size allowing easy identification of the correct fitting. For large and complex buildings, the choice of pipework solution will have a significant impact. MLC pipe has many benefits over more traditional metal pipe and is suitable for a
wide range of applications. Partnering with a manufacturer who can offer a complete pipework solution, including for the risers, is also an important consideration. Find out more about our RS Modular riser system here.