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By: BlazeMaster EMEA on 04-Sep-2018 09:52:00
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Advantages of CPVC Over Steel in High-Rise Retrofits

Building owners and installers navigate many challenges when it comes to high-rise retrofits: occupant disruption, installation costs and speed of installation just to name a few.

CPVC outperforms steel in each of these areas to allow for a quick, safe and cost-effective fire sprinkler system installation. CPVC maximizes flexibility and threatens traditional steel fire protection systems with benefits building owners and installers cannot afford to overlook.

 

3 Reasons Why CPVC is Better Than Steel for Retrofits

 

1. Quick and Easy Installation

CPVC piping installation is a one-man job, meaning no need for surplus workers or equipment, saving you costs on resources. A quick and simple one-step joining process eliminates the need for torches or complicated heat-fusion techniques that would traditionally be used in steel installation.

CPVC is also light weight, meaning installations in hard-to-reach areas in a retrofit project can be completed more easily and without a large crew. CPVC can be installed in areas nearly impossible for steel piping, and there is no need for special rigging equipment to transport heavy material through your job site.

As with all projects, it’s possible that you’ll be faced with alterations down the line. BlazeMaster® CPVC piping allows installers to make notable adjustments directly on-site by using simple hand tools to cut the piping to the exact measurement needed. Steel systems, on the other hand, require you to pull down the pipe and rework the configuration on the ground and fabrication is usually completed off-site.

This means that installation of CPVC over steel:

  • Saves labour and equipment costs
  • Does not require pre-fabrication
  • Requires no electricity
  • Is safer to install

“It’s easier to maneuver on the job site and even more important, especially in a retrofit, it’s faster and easier to clean up. There’s no mess on the ceiling or walls because, unlike steel, there is no need for cutting oil or threading devices. The pipe and fittings are quickly and neatly joined with a one-step solvent cement bonding system.”

─ Milton Crosswy, President, Affordable Fire Protection, Inc.

 

2. Less Occupant Disruption

With CPVC, you can improve your building with minimal resident disruption. Unlike steel, CPVC can be installed without building evacuation. In a high-rise with many occupants, this is a major advantage to residents who do not want to be inconvenienced.

Choosing CPVC piping also minimizes noise disruptions. Unlike steel, CPVC does not require cutting or welding equipment, nor any noisy threading machines. The speed of installation also means your residents will have their hallways cleared from crew members faster than with a steel fire sprinkler system installation team.

 

3. Cost-Effective Fire Protection

Since CPVC installations are quicker and easier to perform, overhead on tools, materials and time is minimized, resulting in cost savings. CPVC also offers a more stable material cost in comparison to steel.

In addition to short-term savings, it delivers a long-term cost benefit to you and your customers since it:

  • Is naturally immune to scaling, corrosion and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) which equates to long service life
  • Does not require as much continual maintenance compared to steel
  • Allows repairs to be made easier and quicker than steel

Depending on the building structure and the amount used, the BlazeMaster CPVC vs. Steel 2018 Cost Savings Report estimates up to 30% in cost savings when installing a BlazeMaster Fire Protection System instead of a traditional steel solution.

If you have questions regarding installing a CPVC fire protection system into your next retrofit project, connect with an expert at BlazeMaster today.