Sealing round flues the place they exit a constructing could imply working at top. Dean Heathfield, Industrial Director at Talon, explains how pipe seals may help negate the dangers related to working at top and save money and time.
When engaged on plumbing and heating installations, it could possibly be argued there are there are three vital packing containers to tick: present an expert service, hold prices down and revenue ranges up and keep secure. Being a plumber or heating engineer does carry inherent dangers: publicity to hazardous substances, electrical risks and threat of falls from scaffolding or ladders are all office dangers you might have to concentrate on.
In actual fact, regardless of a wealth of well being and security initiatives in recent times, falls from top stay a significant reason for extreme accidents and fatalities at work. The Well being and Security Govt (HSE) reported 135 fatalities in work-related accidents in 2022/23; falls from top was the main trigger, claiming 40 lives.
Though sealing round pipes would appear like bread and butter for many installers, in terms of sealing pipes or putting in flues on higher flooring of flats and residences, it might get tough. Historically, the job has required mortar or silicone adhesives however they’ve their drawbacks: they’re liable to weathering, could be messy and time consuming and might’t be used within the rain. And if the outlet for the flue pipe is up excessive, you want a cherry picker or ladder to achieve the location, which could be time consuming and dear to pay money for.
The HSE advises to keep away from work at top the place it’s moderately practicable to take action. However how will you seal pipework up excessive with out getting up there to do it? That is the place FlueSnug is available in. It may be fitted on the skin of a constructing from inside, by way of the cored drilled gap, as they’re versatile sufficient to be pushed out of the brickwork and inflexible sufficient to pop again into place, offering an air and watertight seal flush in opposition to the wall. No different supplies have for use to seal the outlet across the flue apart from the snugs themselves. There isn’t a want for expensive scaffolding or ladders and the take away the well being and security dangers in working at top.
Flues want inspecting and servicing now and again. However once more, there’s no have to be clambering up ladders or scaffolding both. FlueSnug can merely be eliminated, the flue inspected and the identical FlueSnug pushed again in, all from the within of the constructing and no working at top.
Constructing Rules
In addition to making it simple to fulfill well being and security necessities, FlueSnug additionally makes it simple to fulfill Constructing Regs too. In 2021, Half L of the Constructing Rules was modified to assist the UK meet its Web Zero targets. It now requires pipe seals and grommets for use round pipework to stop heat air escaping a house and in addition to maintain chilly air out. PipeSnug and FlueSnug are the one all-in-one options which meet Half L’s requirement to seal round pipework in and out, with out the necessity for sealant, mortar or costly air sealing tape.
The merchandise kind an hermetic seal in opposition to the wall the place pipes enter and exit a constructing so that they not solely save plumbers time, cash and mess, however additionally they hold heat in and vitality prices down for householders. The ‘snugs additionally save time by way of compliance: when checking every set up you’ll be able to instantly see that the outlet across the flue has been sealed and photographic proof can then be offered to these in Constructing Management.
There are different clear advantages too. As an alternative of blending mortar or apply sealant, each of which might climate and crack, take a number of time to use and sometimes go away a poor end, PipeSnug and FlueSnug could be fitted in seconds, stopping warmth escaping, appearing as a barrier to drafts, damp, bugs and pests and giving an important, neat end.
Eliminating threat and the necessity for expensive scaffolding or ladders, these options not solely improve security but in addition simplify compliance with Constructing Rules and supply fast and efficient sealing, selling vitality effectivity and delivering a elegant, skilled end. PipeSnug is on the market in 32mm, 40mm and 110mm in black, white and gray. The 110mm model suits a 152mm core drilled gap and suits all push-fit and solvent weld soil pipe fittings. FlueSnug suits a 152mm core drilled gap and is on the market in black and white.