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By: BlazeMaster EMEA on 19-Mar-2019 05:30:00
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How can specifiers ensure more business by choosing CPVC fire sprinkler systems?

CPVC or steel? This is a burning question for many specifiers when exploring the market for a new installation or retrofit fire protection system.

One of many myths surrounding CPVC is that it is an expensive investment. In fact, there can be significant cost savings by choosing CPVC piping for a fire sprinkler system, meaning more opportunities to provide value to customers. With UK legislation changing to ensure the amount of fire casualties falls, many will be looking for cost-effective and reliable measures to protect lives and property.

Below is a breakdown of the charges accumulated during a fire sprinkler system installation, with previous CPVC installations demonstrating that retrofitting a fire protection system isn’t as costly as previously thought.

 

Save on installation

One of the key benefits of CPVC is the significant cost savings within the initial installation. Installers have managed to cut installation time and therefore labour and associated costs by up to 30% by using CPVC piping.

Using CPVC can buy you time - particularly when you’re under tight deadlines or face a number of tricky alterations during the installation period. For example, the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA, was due a retrofit to ensure the best possible fire protection methods. With the university covering 222,000 square metres and 12 buildings, this was no small feat. The aim was to completely retrofit the university within a 7-month timeframe - an improbable task when you bear in mind that the estimated time span for the project was 4-5 years using traditional systems. 

With the installation crew working at a much quicker pace due to the lightweight and easy-to-install pipes and fittings, labour costs were significantly reduced and the project was completed at a cost of roughly $3 per square foot versus the typical $4-$5 per square foot of traditional systems. This translated into a savings total of between $750,000 and $1.5 million for the university.

 

Save on material

There is no doubt that the material properties of CPVC (link to material properties blog) can significantly impact cost-savings. As well as the ability to be altered quickly and simply with hand tools on-site, CPVC does not require heavy tools or equipment as part of the installation.

 

Weight and size

The weight and size of BlazeMaster® pipes and fittings (which can be up to 85% lighter than steel systems) can translate to huge cost-benefits during the installation stage, as one man can independently work on his own area. There is also very little need for post-installation clean-up, as CPVC does not require cutting oils, it does not leave behind metal shavings and only requires hand tools without the need for electricity.

 

Superior C-factor

When utilising the hydraulic design method, the superior C-factor of BlazeMaster pipe can enable a more efficient system design. With BlazeMaster pipes and fittings, you can achieve an equivalent flow rate through smaller pipe, which means that savings can be made on using smaller pipe sizes and components than those required in steel systems. You can learn more about hydraulic calculation and how it saved a previous project 28% on costs in our explainer video.

 

Resistance to MIC

Need a system with a long lifetime? BlazeMaster CPVC piping resists Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) for an active life of more than 50 years, far exceeding that of steel systems, where corrosion can occur as soon as two years after installation.

BlazeMaster CPVC piping was trusted and tested by BAFSA in the retrofit installation of Sheffield’s Callow Mount tower block (link to BAFSA report blog) the total material costs amounted to £19,055 for the block of 47 flats - 35% of the total costs of installation.  

 

Reductions in establishment costs and time

Before installation begins, projects need a period of outlining and analysis. Although a smaller cost, this can still be time-consuming for a fire sprinkler installation project.

Establishment costs can entail site survey work, meeting with residents, design, administration, indirect labour costs, overheads and training. Fortunately, with BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems, a free online installation training program is available, along with installation guidance on the project site from our fire sprinkler experts.

Of course, anyone completing a retrofit will need to be conscious of causing as little nuisance as possible to residents. With BlazeMaster CPVC piping, you can give residents peace of mind during the establishment stage, ensuring high levels of end-user satisfaction.

In the Callow Mount project, the average installation time for each flat amounted to a single day and feedback from residents was stated as being ‘remarkable.’ The total establishment costs for the project amounted to £9,189.47 16% of the total cost of installation.

 

Grow and succeed with BlazeMaster CPVC piping

With a focus now on protecting our lives and properties, whilst still being aware of the potential costs of doing so, BlazeMaster pipes and fittings have assisted specifiers and architects with meeting regulations, protecting property and saving on both short and long-term costs, allowing their business to flourish with repeated usage.

Using BlazeMaster CPVC piping holds many cost-saving advantages that can ease a new installation or retrofit project from start to finish. These advantages are just one example of the great value offered by a BlazeMaster CPVC system, which will ultimately help your business to grow.

 

Learn more about other cost-savings benefits and more situations in which CPVC was the perfect retrofit and residential solution, in our 2018 cost-saving report.

Download the Cost-Savings Report