Steel piping for fire protection systems has become a traditional fixture in new builds and retrofit projects throughout the UK. But with CPVC pipes coming onto the market, should steel still be the preferred material for fire protection systems?
In this blog, we compare CPVC and steel against each other to see which performs best on five key areas, including installation, cost, corrosion, hydraulics and the environment.
Installation
CPVC piping can be installed with a quick and simple one-step joining system, which eliminates the need for torches or complicated heat-fusion techniques that would traditionally be used in steel installations. As CPVC is lightweight yet tough too, it means installations in hard-to-reach areas as part of retrofit projects, can be completed more easily. This also means that installation of CPVC:
- Does not require the building to be abandoned, unlike steel
- Is a cleaner and quieter installation, unlike steel
- Does not require pre-fabrication, unlike steel
- CPVC is lightweight and easy to install, unlike steel
Cost
As CPVC installations are quicker and easier to do, cost savings can be made as the overhead on tools and time is minimised. CPVC also offers a lower and more stable material cost in comparison with metallic alternatives. Finally, in addtion to the short-term savings, CPVC delivers a long-term cost benefit to you and your customers since the piping:
- Does not require as much continual maintenance, unlike steel
- Requires smaller pipes which reduces overall material costs
- Allow Repairs to be made easily and quickly, in comparison to steel
Corrosion
Long-term, corrosion is always going to be an issue for steel and other metallic alternatives. As you will already understand, the higher the corrosion levels inside the pipe, more friction is created which decreases the flow of water in the event of an emergency - potentially stopping the system from working altogether. CPVC in comparison, however, offers you a higher level of reassurance since it:
- Eliminates scaling and corrosion for lasting performance, even in salt-air environments
- Has a natural immunity to Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
- Remains corrosion free for up to 50 years of service life, even in salt air environments
CPVC's performance was tested using the Hazen-Williams formula which calculates the friction and roughness inside a pipe. Steel's performance dropped by over 50% for pipes that were in service for between 4 and 40 years. Meanwhile, CPVC continued to perform at the same level as it did the day it was installed.
Hydraulics
As well as the benefits of a pipe that doesn't corrode, the hydraulic performance of CPVC is greater when compared to steel too. The technology of BlazeMaster ensures optimal flow rates and excellent hydraulic capabilities (C-factor of 150) that will not diminish over time, unlike steel.
BlazeMaster's SDR 13.5 IPS piping system also offers superior hydraulics, yielding maximum flow of water to deliver required performance for extended coverage sprinkler heads too. This improved performance can often mean smaller sizes of pipes are required for the same level of flow security in a fire protection system - saving you and your customer installation costs.
Environmental
The industry's understanding of manufacturing’s environmental impact has become more sophisticated. It’s not just about what comes out of smokestacks and sewer pipes. The environmental impacts range from securing the resources and the amount of energy used in the manufacturing process to the ultimate disposition of the material.
According to a 2011 ISO-compliant, peer-reviewed life-cycle assessment, BlazeMaster CPVC systems outperform steel systems in 12 out of 13 environmental categories, including:
- Climate change impact
- Metal depletion
- Energy consumption
