There are two types of pipe clip in the Speedfit range.
Firstly, a nail clip is used for fixing to timber
when running concealed pipe work i.e.
underfloor or in a roof space . This clip takes
less time to fit and is compact which allows
pipework to be fixed close together when
space is at a premium.
Pipe clips should not be fitted any closer than 60mm from
the end of the fitting to allow for expansion. Pipes should
always be adequately supported to prevent undue stress
or side load on the fittings.
The second type uses a screw and therefore
takes a little longer to fix. When pipes are
required to cross over, it is possible to add
a spacer to the clip. This will give room
between the pipe and the wall to allow the
pipes to cross over. If pipework needs to be
insulated, using the spacer will give room for
the lagging to be applied.
The flexibility of Speedfit pipe gives it the ability to be
threaded through concealed or inaccessible spaces
without disruption to surrounding structures, making
major savings in installation time.
Pipework can be “cabled” through drilled holes in joists
and rafters. Therefore, pipework can be installed after
floorboards have been laid, working below the floor
before the ceiling is installed.
This makes site work far safer as the installer does not
have to balance on open joists with the risk of dropping
tools or equipment on other people below.
Instructions on the drilling of joists is given in the Building
Regulations Approved Document A, and summarised as
follows:
1. Holes should be no greater than 0.25 of the depth of the joist.
2. Holes should be drilled at the neutral axis.
3. Holes should not be less than 3 diameters (centre to centre) apart.
4. Holes should be located between 0.25 and 0.4 times the span
from the support.
Max. dia. of holes = 0.25D
Joist
Clips
Speedfit pipe
This will also eliminate the risk of damage by floorboard
nails. There is no need for dry runs since pipe can be cut
and connections made in-situ.
Rigid pipe, such as copper, can only be fed under floor in
short lengths. However, Speedfit pipe, being flexible, can
run from one fitting to another without having to install a
connector in between.
Speedfit needs no jointing materials, eliminating the risk of
fire from the use of a blowlamp, solder and flux
.
Min 3 x hole dia.
D
The insulation requirements for Speedfit pipe are the same as
those for copper and should comply with BS6700 and BS5422.
For general guidance on pipework sizing, please refer to
BS6700 and BS5449 or the Institute of Plumbing
Engineering Services Design Guide. Speedfit fittings are
suitable for connection to pipe sizes within ± 0.1mm of
nominal size.
The maximum heat carrying capacity and flow of Speedfit
pipe, based on 1.2m/s velocity and an 11ºC temperature
drop is shown in the table below.
Pipe size Max Capacity Max Flow
Headloss
KW
litres/sec
m/m pipe
10mm
1.948
0.042
0.283
15mm
5.941
0.129
0.139
22mm
13.604
0.295
0.084
28mm
21.991
0.478
0.062
Pipe Diameter
Clip Spacing
Horizontal Run Vertical Run
10 - 15mm
300mm
500mm
22mm
500mm
800mm
28mm
800mm
1,000mm
For surface mounted pipes
Several types of joists are available and Speedfit recommends
that specific manufacturers details are consulted.
However, the following can be used for general guidance.
•
Holes may be located vertically anywhere in the web,
but leave 3mm web at the top and/or bottom of hole.
Do not cut into joist flanges when cutting the web.
•
If more than one hole is to be cut in the web, the
distance between the edges of the holes must be at
least 2x diameter of the largest hole.
•
Generally joists are manufactured with 38mm
perforated knockouts in the web at approximately
300mm centres along the length of the joist.
PIPE SUPPORT AND CLIPPING
RECOMMENDED CLIP SPACING
PIPE SIZING
PIPEWORK INSULATION
CONCEALED PIPEWORK
TRADITIONAL JOISTS
TIMBER I BEAM JOISTS
Speedfit is well suited for steel frame construction and
care should be taken when installing the pipework.
All runs should be installed through preformed holes in the
structure and protected by a rubber or plastic grommet.
Where clipping of pipework is restricted, cable ties may
be used to secure the pipe.
As with all installations, make sure that any pipework passing
through walls and floors does not affect the fire resistant
properties of the structure.
Speedfit pipework can be easily cabled through studwork
and within wall systems as well as behind “dot and dab”
plasterboard installations. Speedfit 10mm Barrier Pipe is
most commonly used to feed radiators.
If incorporating fittings in this way, collet covers or collet
clips must be used with the
Standard
range of fittings.
To prevent surface damage to the plaster caused by
expansion and contraction of Speedfit pipes, it is
important to ensure that all Speedfit pipework is
channelled into the wall and protected with appropriate
sleeving. Alternatively, the pipework can be surface
mounted and boxed in if required for aesthetic appearance.
Speedfit is well suited for timber frame construction.
Ensure that the structural integrity is not compromised
when installing the pipework.
If the pipe passes through an external wall, care must be
taken not to damage the vapour barrier and should be
installed on the inside of the thermal insulation layer.
If this is not possible, the use of conduit should be specified
at the design stage.
Unlike I beam joists, pipe can be cabled anywhere within
the open Web as no drilling is required. However, the top
and bottom flanges must not be notched. Avoid
damaging the outside diameter of the pipe as you cable
through the metal cross web members
.
It is also possible to bend Speedfit Pipe using a standard
pipe bender. The pipe should not be heated with a
blowlamp or hot air gun.
Minimum bend radii for Speedfit pipe are as follows:
Min Radius
Pipe Diameter
10mm 15mm 22mm 28mm
with Cold Forming Bends
30mm 75mm 110mm
-
with Clips
100mm 175mm 225mm 300mm
For bends of radii smaller than those shown, standard
elbow fittings are recommended.
Gentle bends can be made with pipe clips on either side
of the curve, positioned to maintain the bend radius.
Tighter bends can be achieved
by using the cold forming
bends shown on page 15.
Internal Bending Springs are
available in 10mm to 22mm
sizes, see page 15.
PIPE BENDING
Speedfit pipe and fittings can be laid in concrete and
masonry providing they are installed in conduit pipe with
access boxes for the fittings. As stated in Water
Regulation Schedule 2.7 and BS 8000 : Part 15, fittings
and pipe should be removable for possible replacement.
Insulation is also recommended to protect against heat
loss and the effects of frost.
Speedfit Conduit Pipe is supplied
in either 15mm or 22mm in coil
lengths of 25m or 50m. The flexible
convoluted pipe has an outside
diameter of 24mm and 30mm.
On long exposed runs of pipework, the expansion of
Speedfit pipe when warm (1% on length between 20 to
82°C) can cause it to sag between clip fixings. When this
is undesirable, pipework can be boxed in or replaced with
rigid copper pipe. Speedfit pipe and fittings are stabilised
to withstand limited exposure to ultra-violet radiation in
sunlight but are not designed for permanent direct
exposure. Under such conditions painting or lagging is
required. Pipe and fittings should also be lagged to
prevent frost damage.
Only water or oil based paints should be used. Do not
allow Speedfit fittings to come into contact with cellulose
based paints, paint thinners or strippers, solder flux or
acid based descalents or aggressive cleaning products. If
there is a risk of any chemical treatments coming into
contact with Speedfit, please contact the Technical Advisory
Service first to check compatibility.
JG Speedfit does not recommend that fluxes of any type
come into contact with our pipe and fittings. However, if
fluxes are to be used in an environment where Speedfit
is installed then we recommend installers use non-acidic
and zinc chloride free fluxes such as Fernox Flux.
Properly installed, Speedfit pipes are virtually silent in
operation and do not resonate; they absorb the acoustic
vibrations and pressure waves created by cavitations,
water hammer, float operated valve oscillation and other
hydraulic effects. The inherent flexibility of Speedfit pipe
effectively eliminates these troublesome problems, including
those that occur when, due to thermal expansion, metal
pipes rub against structural members and where long,
straight runs of rigid pipe amplify water borne noise.
CROSS WEB JOISTS
TIMBER FRAMED CONSTRUCTION
STEEL FRAMED CONSTRUCTION
DRY LINED WALLS
WET PLASTER
LAYING OF PIPE IN CONCRETE AND MASONRY
EXPOSED PIPEWORK
CHEMICAL EFFECTS
FLUXES AND SPEEDFIT
ACOUSTIC
19
20
