Poly Plumb / Polyfit Plastic Plumbing systems

Hot and Cold Plumbing and Heating Systems
The Flexible Plumbing Solution
Polypipe is the UK’s leading and fastest growing manufacturer of plastic plumbing
products for hot and cold plumbing and heating systems. Our products serve both
domestic and light commercial markets, providing installers and end users with easy
to install, reliable products. We offer customers a choice of systems, and having
invested in the latest development and manufacturing technologies, we are able to
provide customers with a wide range of quality products and services.
There will be times when you require a fully flexible and secure, yet demountable and re-usable solution and other
situations where you need a more permanent product. That is why at Polypipe we can offer you a system for all your
requirements. Our integrated, flexible plumbing systems incorporate polybutylene pipes and two complementary
ranges of push-fit fittings, all offering excellent value for money and durability over more traditional systems.
Our Polyfit push-fit plumbing system is quick and easy to install, secure against accidental release, yet fully
demountable and reusable when required. It can be adjusted and re-fixed with minimal time and effort.
On the other hand, our Polyplumb solution is our original push-fit system that is firmly fixed when jointed, and can
only be demounted by un-assembling the fitting.
This extensive range of products is backed up by the dedicated service and support provided by our customer service
team and throughout the supply chain: from initial order through to post installation site support. This service and
support ensures that all our customers’ projects are completed successfully, and is the reason why we are seen as the
manufacturer of choice and why many of our customers come back time and time again.
Whatever you’re looking for in a plumbing system, Polypipe has a product to suit you.
2
Plumbing
Market
Market
Copper
389.2
400
300
150
257.3
123
119.5
100
100
200
50
100
The manufacturer of choice is leading the way…
Independent market data confirms the rise of plastic plumbing
solutions at the expense of traditional copper systems. Copper
is, by its very nature, a fixed and inflexible material that requires
time consuming joint processes during installation. By contrast,
modern manufacturing technology and ongoing material
development allow innovative solutions in plastic that are faster
to install and more flexible in use.
Plastic
200
100
102.5
100
0
0
1996
2003
0
1996
2006
100
90.2
2003
2006
1996
2003
2006
Share
Copper 89%
Copper 76%
Copper 65%
With copper sales flat for a number of years, and now in
decline, it is sales of plastic that are driving market growth.
The last 10 years has seen a 23% increase in the amount of
installed pipe, despite a 10% fall in copper pipe volume. Plastic
systems are not only accepted as an alternative solution – they
are fast becoming the material of choice.
Plastic 11%
Polypipe is a key player in this regard, consistently outstripping
the overall market growth of plastic. Fuelled by its two options
in fittings, Polyplumb and Polyfit; by its commitment to flexible
polybutylene pipe; and backed by its innovative market support
initiatives Polypipe is increasingly becoming the manufacturer
of choice.
Plastic 24%
2003
1996
Polypipe
Plastic 35%
2006
Plastic
300
243.9
201.5
178.3
200
200
154.2
Sources of data:
Consult GB
British Plastics Federation
Construction Products Association
All data is indexed, based on volume of pipe, 1996 = 100
100
100
100
All data is actual, except 2006 which is estimated
100
0
0
2002
2004
2006
2002
2004
2006
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Polybutylene Pipe
Unlike a number of other plumbing manufacturers, our
plumbing systems use polybutylene pipes to create the most
flexible and efficient plumbing system available. Polybutylene
pipe is ideal for both hot and cold water plumbing and heating
systems, offering exceptional durability and long-term
performance, which has seen it become the preferred material
choice for today’s building projects.
The most important characteristic of polybutylene is its natural
flexibility, allowing you to bend, curve and manipulate the pipe
into even the tightest of spaces. The table below shows the
elastic modulus of polybutylene compared with a range of
piping systems, highlighting that it is the most malleable plastic
used in the manufacture of pipes.
Flexural Elasticity Modulus (MPa) Method ISO 178
PVC-C
PP-R
PE-RT
PEX
PB-1*
3500
800
550 – 650
600
450
Within the manufacturing cycle polybutylene doesn’t require
chemical or radiation cross linking, which reduces the number of
production processes, leading to faster and more efficient
manufacturing. Its operating temperatures and pressures are:
• 12.5 bar at 20oC
• 6 bar at 90oC
Another key advantage of polybutylene pipe is that it is also
extremely lightweight, particularly when compared with copper
piping systems. For example, 15mm copper tube will weigh
approximately 0.28 kg/m, whereas 15mm polybutylene pipe
weighs only 0.074 kg/m, a significant difference when
transporting materials to site.
1000 metres of PB v Copper
Polybutylene
*
74kg
Polybutylene
4
280kg
Copper
Polypipe Pipes
Polybutylene piping is also resistant to freezing temperatures,
maintaining long-term durability in heating and water
applications. This, combined with the pipe’s elasticity, means
that if water is subjected to freezing temperatures, the result will
be a reduced possibility of burst pipes during the winter months.
These elasticity properties, combined with low density and low
thermal expansion, mean that the pipes have no water hammer
or other noise problems, maintaining a peaceful environment for
home owners. The table below highlights the sound velocity of
polybutylene pipe compared with other materials.
Sound Velocity (Metres per Second)
PB-1
PEX
CPVC
Grey Polyplumb polybutylene pipes are available in both
standard ‘monolayer’ and barrier versions. White Polyfit pipes
are available in barrier versions only.
Polyplumb pipe in pipe systems consist of a polybutylene barrier
pipe encased within a black conduit pipe. The conduit provides
protection for the polybutylene pipe during the installation
process, as well as allowing easy withdrawal for future alteration
or maintenance.
The conduit pipe coils allow 15mm and 22mm Polyplumb pipe
to be laid in a floor screed, conforming to water regulations.
When conduit pipe is used in conjunction with conduit boxes, it
provides a cost effective and practical solution, as an alternative
to other ducting systems.
620
Red and blue conduit pipes are also available should an
identifiable conduit be preferred.
800
P.B.P.S.A. Polypipe Building Products Ltd is a member of the
2,350
Polybutylene Piping Systems Association, which is a recognised
association of companies whose aim is to promote the features,
Copper
3,900
benefits and best practice installation techniques of polybutylene
pipe systems, as well as providing a wide range of technical
information and support.
5
Polyplumb System
Polyplumb is an integrated flexible plumbing system,
incorporating polybutylene pipes and a complementary range of
push-fit fittings. It can be used in hot and cold water supply, and
radiator and floor heating installations. The system offers a high
degree of reliability, achieved through a product design that has
been tried and tested over the past 30 years.
The system offers a number of benefits, including:
• Time efficient, no nonsense one step joint process
• High performance stainless steel grab ring ensures
superb joint integrity
• Demountable only by unassembling, reducing
potential for tampering
• The original Polypipe pushfit plumbing system used and
relied on by customers throughout the world
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Polyfit System
Locked tight
Polyfit is the one step, fully demountable and reusable pushfit
plumbing product, which combines with polybutylene pipe to
create a flexible plumbing system.
The Polyfit system brings extensive benefits:
• One step operation, for quick and easy installation
• Flexible polybutylene pipe, for even the most
difficult locations
• Fittings lock tight, preventing accidental release
• Fully demountable and re-usable when required
‘Push click’, that’s it
The polybutylene pipe is simply inserted into the Polyfit fitting
to engage. There’s no need to make a quarter locking turn,
just ‘push click’, that’s it.
Polyfit fittings lock tight in one
click and can only be released when
required, providing both installers and
consumers with total piece of mind. Once
engaged into the fitting it is completely secure
against accidental release.
Fully demountable
Polyfit fittings have been designed to be
completely secure once installed. However,
there will always be times when they need
to be removed or adjusted, so they are also
fully demountable when required.
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Extensive Support Services
Through out the Polypipe Group we have an
extensive network of merchant, contractor
and developer sales teams, who cover all
aspects of the supply chain, and provide a
quality service to all our customers.
For our merchants we can offer stock profiling, to make sure
they are stocking the right mix of products. Once they have the
products in store we can also provide merchandising support
and advice to highlight the extensive range.
We support all our stockists through events, mailings and
exclusive promotions, designed to help provide customers with
an excellent level of service and support. This is backed up by
extensive national marketing campaigns, free promotional
literature, including point of sale materials, and dedicated
trade websites.
Polypipe’s customer service team are dedicated to offering a
quality service and can help you through every stage of the job.
Our technical support team can provide installation assistance
support, both before, during and after projects. This support
also includes design and estimating services, to ensure you get
the right product for your job. Site support engineers are also
available to help with any queries or problems on site.
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Standards
Polypipe meets, and constantly strives to exceed, the changing
laws and regulations governing our operations and products.
Our plumbing systems conform to a number of 3rd party
accredited standards, some of which are listed below.
Guarantee
Polyplumb and Polyfit plumbing products are
guaranteed for 25 years against defects in materials
or manufacture of the hot and cold water supply
and heating system.
Distribution
We have invested in extensive testing and development facilities
to ensure the products we supply are of the highest quality.
• BSI BS7291
(kitemark licence number 38148)
• BBA Certificate No 00/3699
(Polyplumb only)
• Polyplumb and Polyfit are both
accepted for British Gas 3 star service contracts
Polypipe’s distribution network is a crucial aspect of our
business. In order to maintain a quality delivery service, we have
a dedicated fleet of 150 commercial vehicles and 300 trailers,
which between them travel over 13.5 million miles per year.
We hold an extensive stock of products, enabling us to provide
merchants with a fast and efficient delivery service. We ensure
Polyplumb and Polyfit stocking merchants always have a wide
range of products available.
At Polypipe we pride ourselves on offering the highest quality
products, and wherever possible our products and processes are
covered by independent third-party accreditation, so you can
rest easy knowing that you are buying from the UK’s market
leading manufacturer. We have invested significantly in our
quality control procedures, and also have our own
fully-equipped modern laboratory for development and analysis.
We have our own tooling and extrusion processes and received
BS EN ISO 9002 in recognition of our manufacturing quality.
9
Polypipe Group
Founded in 1980, the Polypipe Group is one
of Europe’s largest and fastest growing
manufacturers of a range of piping systems
for residential and commercial sectors. We are
the UK’s leading plastic piping system supplier,
and have an enviable reputation for an
extensive product range, reliability and value.
We are continuously looking to the future, developing new
innovative products and delivering further manufacturing
efficiencies. This highly focussed approach means that our cost
engineering delivers the best value for money to our customers
in every market.
Sustainability
At Polypipe we’re committed to a policy of the responsible use
of natural resources. We recognise the need to optimise the use
of, and to conserve as far as possible, the natural resources we
consume. The manufacture of our products uses both raw
materials and energy, so we’ve implemented proactive
sustainability policies to manage both their usage and
environmental impact.
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The durability and longevity of our products, combined with the
25 year guarantee, means that there is less need to replace and
dispose of old products. However, even after years of use,
polybutylene pipe should retain its original polyolefin structure,
and once recovered could be recycled by standard plastics
conversion techniques into lower specification products.
Increasing legislation covering the energy efficiency of new
homes is resulting in a growing demand for sustainable indoor
environments. The exceptional benefits and performance of
polybutylene pipe will help to meet the needs of architects,
specifiers and systems designers in fulfilling these
new standards.
Transporting polybutylene systems is more energy efficient than
copper: plastic products are substantially lighter, which means
that Polypipe uses less fuel during transportation; and the
majority of business is conducted within Europe, reducing the
distances travelled of both raw material and the finished
product. Our use of bio diesel fuels further helps reduce our
carbon footprint.
Sustainability
The perfect fit
As we have documented our polybutylene pipes are an ideal
material for use in flexible plastic piping systems for hot and cold
water and heating applications. Due to their flexibility they are
also perfect for use in under floor central heating systems where
long continuous lengths of pipes are required to be laid in
flooring systems. Polyplumb under floor central heating systems
are suitable for all building projects, from new build properties
and whole house renovations to single room retro-fit projects
or extensions.
We have a comprehensive range of traditional under floor
central heating systems, ideally suited for new build properties,
complete refurbishment projects or extensions. These systems
work with all types of flooring; solid, suspended or floating.
Polyplumb systems combine ease of installation with reliable
long-term performance – they are virtually maintenance free
once installed.
Installing Polyplumb floor heating opens up a whole range of
possibilities, revolutionising interior design by freeing walls
of radiators. This is perfect for rooms with limited wall space,
including loft conversions, conservatories and bathrooms,
allowing better utilisation of the areas usually restricted by
radiators. Floor heating is the most comfortable, energy efficient
and clean form of heating you can choose, and our systems
create a gentle, even heat, leading to a healthier, allergy free
and safer environment for everyone.
In addition, the revolutionary OverlayTM system is perfect for
retro-fit projects or extensions, as there is no need to dig up
existing flooring.
The environmentally friendly floor panels simply fit over the
floor, and provide all the benefits of warm water floor heating
without any major disruption.
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CI/SfB Printed May 2007
52.0
In6
Publication PPB1J
Polypipe Building Products
Broomhouse Lane
Edlington
Doncaster DN12 1ES
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1709 770000
Fax: +44 (0)1709 770001
2410 London Road
Mount Vernon
Glasgow G32 8XZ
Tel: +44 (0)141 778 8822
Fax: +44 (0)141 778 2703
Polypipe Ulster
Dromore Road
Lurgan, Craigavon
Co. Armagh BT66 7HL
Tel: +44 (0)28 38 881270
Fax: +44 (0)28 38 882344
www.polypipe.com
www.polyfit.co.uk
www.polyplumb.co.uk