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new build & property development
SEALING THE DEAL Alex Lever, Director of PipeSnug, highlights how to save time and cost on new build boiler installations while meeting the new requirements for pipe seals and grommets in Part L of the Building Regulations.
ringleford Heights is a semirural Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ development on the outskirts of Norwich. Working at the site, the Daly Group is a successful contractor operating across East Anglia and parts of Cambridgeshire. The Group also works with other housebuilders such as RG Carter, Hills, Redrow, Tillier Homes and Elemento. As part of their remit at Cringleford Heights, the company is installing Ideal Boilers into each home, along with FlueSnug, a product designed to fit all 100mm boiler flues, which removes the need for pointing around exit pipes and can be used both externally and internally. When the Daly Group went back on site for servicing and maintenance, it found that they often had to reseal
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pipework. This could have been for a number of reasons, such as the quality of the mortar, shrinkage and so on. Endorsed by major boiler manufacturers, FlueSnug removes any need for pointing, can be installed in seconds and snugly fits the 152mm core-drilled hole in the wall through which the boiler pipe and flue exits. It prevents heat escaping, acts as a barrier to drafts, damp, insects and pests and gives a great, neat finish as it can be used both inside and outside the property. Ian Hudson, Commercial Director for the Daly Group saw its potential straight away, not only in its time saving benefits, but also how it would help them to comply with changes to Part L of the Building Regulations – which mandates the need for pipe collars where pipes enter or exit a home, helping to maintain
the energy efficiency of the building. In these regulations, mortar and silicone are not considered to be an effective seal, and FlueSnug and PipeSnug create a professional finish and seal all-in-one, easily and simply meeting the regulations.
Time saving
One of the most obvious advantages to using FlueSnug is its time saving capacity. Jack O’Donnell, the Daly Group’s Contracts Director estimates it saves 30 minutes installation time pre-mixing and pointing of mortar, per boiler. His team runs six plumbers on the site and the feedback has been brilliant from all of the engineers. The product also saves time in terms of compliance; when checking each installation, you can immediately see that the hole around the flue has been sealed. It also looks so