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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SUMMER 2015
STAINLESS STEEL CRIMP FITTINGS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
T
he current push to encourage the plumbing industry
to embrace ‘alternative solutions’ is chiefly aimed
by regulators to give space for innovative and
performance based solutions to improve the industry as a
whole.
This scope for installers and specifiers to embrace
advancements in methods, products and materials, quicker
than the relevant regulatory documents can be updated,
delivering benefits through innovation like those discussed
on page 34 of this issue.
Acceptance of these new installation methods and
products is covered principally by the National Construction
Code (NCC) supported by a range of Standards and local
requirements including AS/NZS 3500.
However, as an alternative to the deemed-to-satisfy
approach favoured in the past, ‘alternative solutions’
are met with a compliance process of added paperwork,
responsibility, cost and testing to deem a solution
acceptable – negating many of the touted benefits and
increasing the risk beared by consultants and installers.
Unfortunately under this framework, innovation is
slowed by a substantial impost on the plumbing industry by
requiring project specific assessment rather than product
or method specific assessment that promotes new methods
as acceptable to the construction industry as a whole.
We’ve chosen to highlight one such instance where a
technical situation requires plumbers to understand how an
‘alternative solution’ application can be used as a defensive
mechanism; In this case, the installation and specification
of stainless steel pipe systems joined with press-fit
connections.
As an industry, understanding and meeting the regulatory
requirements for what, why and how we perform our
professional role within the real world is an important
aspect which you can’t choose to ignore. It could put you,
your business and project at substantial risk beyond the
reach of professional indemnity insurance.
WHAT’S BEHIND THIS STORY?
Press-fit as an installation method was engineered
over 50 years ago (with production commencing in 1969)
and today used across the world in a wide range of
materials and applications. Stainless steel press-fit
connections have been successfully used in stainless steel
of both smaller and larger than DN 25 for close on 20 years
in Australia, as an alternative to traditional compression
and brazed joining methods with great success, speed and
safety benefits.
Recently with the introduction of the new NCC Volume 3
(Plumbing Code of Australia - PCA), it has arguably been
highlighted that the technology of press-fit, specifically
for stainless steel as the material, is not covered by either
the Standard AS/NZS 3500 or the PCC as an acceptable
jointing method. Pipework and fittings over DN20 is ignored
completely beyond flanged or welded joining. It is however,
STAINLESS STEEL PRESS-FIT CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN USED WITH GREAT SUCCESS OVER THE YEARS;
HOWEVER, EARLIER THIS YEAR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STANDARD FOR THESE SYSTEMS HAS NEVER BEEN
UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE USE OF PRESS-FIT CRIMP FITTINGS.
JEFF PATCHELL
EXPLAINS HOW THIS CAN AFFECT
YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS.
A real threat exists to your business if you don’t apply for an
alternate solution to cover the use of stainless steel crimps.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS