Water piping systems in medical facilities must be of the highest quality, and installed with surgical precision.

We expect the highest standards from our medical practitioners and the equipment they use, so it stands to good reason that the behind-the-wall services in a medical centre should also be of the highest quality and installed to the very best standards.

The Murnau Clinic, situated in the picturesque town of Murnau near Munich, Germany, is famous for it high-quality care and recovery facility for accident victims from near and far.

Serving more than 30,000 patients annually, and with 1350 employees, the Murnau Clinic has constantly updated its facilities since it first opened in 1953.

A clean water supply is of paramount importance for any medical facility, and over the years the piping systems within this clinic have had to keep pace with the growth of the facility and the sophistication and advances in medical care.

Medical piping systems face a number of technical challenges to which most general commercial facilities are not subjected. Important among these is the need for regular high-temperature thermal disinfection, which safeguards the quality of the supply and minimises the risks posed to patients, many of whom have vulnerable immune systems.

Some 15 years ago it was noticed that due to athe varying quality of the local water supply and the use of incompatible piping system materials, corrosion was occurring within the existing copper piping.

Franz Gangl, a Munich-based plumbing planner (engineer), has spent most of his working life involved in upgrades, extensions and re-builds to the Murnau Clinic.

He commenced his own Plumbing Planning business in 1995 and was also directly involved in plumbing projects for the clinic during the previous 15 years.

As Franz says, “I feel I know the plumbing system within Murnau like the back of my hand. Being familiar with the working needs of the clinic and my knowledge of good plumbing design and materials means I can make a valuable ongoing contribution to the working efficiency of the clinic.”

Over the years, Franz has converted the facility to use high-grade steel piping throughout the water supply system.

The high-grade steel press-fitting system from Geberit Mapress allows the maintenance staff within the clinic to be flexible to make changes and upgrades – which are an everyday occurrence.