Benefits of dual and quad core pre-insulated pipe
At Mibec we supply a wide range of pre-insulated pipe products from leading manufacturers like Rehau, Microflex or our own Mibec DHP pipe. Pre-insulated pipe is typically used to form district heating networks and are specially designed to maintain the water temperature when in transit between the central heat source and the buildings in the scheme. In this short article we look at one of the key benefits of plastic pipes for use as a heat main – the ability to include multiple carrier pipes in the same section of pre-insulated pipe. This feature both simplifies the project design and makes installation cheaper and easier on site.
Dual core pipes
Our range of dual core pre-insulated pipes allow both the flow and return carrier pipes for the system to be contained within a single section of pipe. Not only is it more cost effective to buy one length of pre-insulated pipe rather than two separate lengths, having a dual core is hugely beneficial to the trench requirements for the project. The dual core format allows the designer to minimise either the trench depth or the trench width which will significantly save on excavation costs, filling costs and disturbance to the ground. Typically if using separate pipes for flow and return water they would either sit next to each other in the trench (requiring a wider trench), or one on top of the other (requiring a deeper trench), either way having a shallower or narrower trench will save time and costs on site.
Quad core pipes
This principle can be taken a step further by using quad core pipes. Pre-insulated pipe are generally used for either heating or hot water applications and tend to be separate products in their own right (often the carrier pipe sizes are different to suit the differing requirements of these two applications in the same property). At Mibec we are pleased to have recently launched Microflex Quadro – a 4 core pre-insulated pipe which can fulfil both heating and hot water requirements from a single pipe length. This product is ideal for projects that have an external heat source providing both heating (radiators etc) and hot water to one or more properties in the project. The single pipe format will save on material costs, excavation costs, save space (benefitting building connections), reduce the number of components on site and make the design process easier (simplifying drawings and planning). Microflex Quadro is available in a range of sizes with a choice of 25mm or 32mm heating carrier pipes and 20 / 25 / 32mm hot water pipes to suit common project requirements.
One major advantage of plastic pre-insulated pipe is the increase in life expectancy, and warranties when compared to steel insulated pipe. Whilst manufacturers of both steel, and plastic polymer pipes will claim life expectancy of anywhere up-to 50 years. It is only plastic PEX pipe that can be offered with warranties in excess of that of steel. Typically, most steel insulated pipe will carry a maximum 2 year warranty. We can offer, by using Mibec for supply and training warranties up-to 10 years.
We offer a full free of charge specification service covering the whole of the UK, designed to support architects, specifiers or contractors, helping you to select the right pre-insulated pipe solution to meet your needs. Please feel free to email or call our support department on 01948 661639 where one of our trained advisers will be happy to help you.