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Building Services Engineering l November/December 2022
Instantor Press System
Save energy and conform to Part L with insulated pipework With a shift in focus towards more energy efficient homes, pipe insulation plays an important role but is often not given adequate attention. Insulating pipework provides multiple benefits to homeowners and is one of the most efficient ways to save on energy and reduce operating costs. Insulating pipework can limit or slow down the thermal transfer across the pipe’s wall. This may either be via heat loss or heat gain to the contents contained within the pipework. Insulation of pipework also prevents the build-up of condensation (dew point/sweating) on the outside of the pipework wall. This is known to reduce thermal efficiency, along with creating a corrosive and aggressive environment for metallic components. This can be amplified with the release of chloride, fluoride and other ions
from the insulation material, and can affect the localised PH. By insulating pipework, a lightduty sheath is provided to protect the pipes while allowing space for thermal expansion within the installation. This can also reduce noise pollution. Additionally, it can protect personnel from contact with high surface temperatures. Instantor Press System The Instantor Press System, certified by NSAI to IS EN ISO21003, is a complete system consisting of PexAl-Pex multilayer composite pipe (MLCP) and brass radial press/crimp fittings. This product is offered as a system or solution, rather than the traditional methods of supplying pipe and fittings separately. Instantor Press System is designed for a minimum 50-year lifecycle, as per the building regulations, and is also KIWA and WRAS approved for potable water applications. Instantor M-Type pipe offers a layer of aluminium that creates a 100% oxygen barrier. Instantor
The Instantor Press System is certified by NSAI to IS EN ISO21003.
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Press Pipe is supplied in different offerings, from plain pipe coils or lengths to pre-insulated pipe coils in a varying degree of specification to achieve Part L and SR50-3. Compliant pipe insulation Instantor insulated pipe coils are enclosed in a scratch-resistant, closed-cell polyethylene foam sheath which has been designed to comply with the Building Regulations and applicable testing standards. Instantor pipe insulation has a PH of 7.5, keeping it in a neutralist window along with non-detection (ND) of any trace ions such as chloride, fluoride, silicate and sodium as tested to EN13468 by TUV. Concerns In installations where little to none or sub-par insulation is utilised, numerous problems can arise, with the main concern being that the energy efficiency of the installation is dramatically reduced. Unwanted thermal transmissions with either heat gain to cold water supplies, or heat loss to hot water supplies, can waste energy, along with providing a more hospitable location for legionella bacteria to grow. Insulation materials with high impurities, and when combined with humidity and temperature, can start to leach out onto the pipework and present a corrosive environment to attack metallic components and potentially cause a health hazard to occupants. This further highlights the importance of selecting the correct specification of insulation product as per its end application. The Instantor Press System is tested to confirm that it does not contain any trace ions of these type of chemicals for a sound and peace of mind installation. Contact: Sanbra Fyffe – Instantor. T: 01 – 842 6255; E: info@instantor.ie; www.instantor.ie Q
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