Achieving sustainability

Victaulic chief officer Larry Thau
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Energy costs typically represent 30% of a building’s annual budget, and are the single largest operating cost (Energy Star). The Energy Systems Lab at Texas A&M University indicated that energy use in buildings could be reduced from 10% to 40% by improving operational strategies in buildings, including maintenance strategies. In a plumbing system, booster pumps and strainers need routine maintenance to operate efficiently, and less deferred maintenance means a higher level of energy efficiency.

With soldered or brazed piping systems, accessing valves, strainers, pumps and water softeners is often a time-consuming and inconvenient process due to system shutdown and drainage. The more difficult the process, the more likely maintenance will be deferred.

Mechanical pipe joining systems provide an optimal way to effectively maintain piping systems in structures, thereby reducing the deferral of maintenance and promoting operating efficiency and saving money.

Their ease of installation and ability to disassemble and reinstall the same components make them a simple solution for the frequent performance of both routine and unscheduled maintenance. For access to a grooved piping system, a maintenance person simply loosens the two coupling bolts.

Grooved piping systems can also be installed wet or dry to speed the maintenance process.

Additionally, mechanical pipe joining systems are a safe alternative for maintaining piping systems in specialty facilities where open flames could potentially create a hazardous environment.

Aside from routine maintenance, it is sometimes necessary to join two existing systems within a structure. In space planning and refurbishment projects, the grooved system is easily re-routed due to a union at every joint. There is no time required to drain the piping system, and grooved mechanical pipe joints can be installed on wet lines.

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Operating efficiency can be maintained during retrofit work, and systems can remain live as properly-placed butterfly valves provide ‘dead end’ shut-off service for isolation.

Additionally, owners can engage in retrofit projects in occupied buildings without having to vacate the space because mechanical grooved piping re-work does not negatively affect indoor air quality, and neither does it introduce a fire hazard.

Less deferred maintenance means peak energy efficiency and operation of buildings, and reduced overall costs. Organisations that have implemented comprehensive maintenance programmes find that their total costs can be as much as 50% lower than the costs for those organisations that continue to defer routine maintenance.

Facilities in which proper HVAC maintenance is completed will use at least 15% to 20% less energy than those where systems are allowed to deteriorate. (Source: Piper, James P.E. ‘HVAC Maintenance and Energy Savings’, Building Operating Management, March 2009).

Repairs for equipment and buildings that have not been well-maintained are often higher than the estimated maintenance costs. Given the busy agendas and budget constraints in today’s industry, it is easy to see why familiar procedures are replicated.

In reality, tried-and-tested alternatives to welded, soldered or brazed pipe joining can have a huge impact on both the immediate and future economic and sustainability returns.

Victaulic has supplied numerous patented piping-related products that are in use today in multiple markets around the world. For further details, visit www.victaulic.com.