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Auenfeld Barracks, CH

The Auenfeld barracks on the Frauenfeld (Switzerland) weapons site will be refurbished and expanded in four stages by the end of 2030 at a cost of 326 million Swiss francs. Energy efficiency, building ecology and health enjoy a high priority at armasuisse Immobilien, the DDPS real estate expertise center. The target is a certification of the buildings according to Minergie-ECO. The corrosion-free polybutene-1 (polybutylene, PB-1) plastic piping system INSTAFLEX from PBPSA member company GF Piping Systems meets the required sustainability criteria and offers further benefits.
 


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Auenfeld Barracks | Rendering

Project architectural rendering courtesy of armasuisse Immobilien. Rendering: VIZE

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Expansion of Auenfeld Barracks | Construction

Expansion of the second largest weapons site in Switzerland.

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Steger plumbers | INSTAFLEX installers

Steger plumbers are professionals at installing INSTAFLEX.

Project architectural rendering courtesy of armasuisse Immobilien. Rendering: VIZE
Expansion of the second largest weapons site in Switzerland.
Steger plumbers are professionals at installing INSTAFLEX.

Project background

Switzerland‘s second largest military training center is being built at Auenfeld in Frauenfeld. The first construction phase with an investment volume of CHF 121 million comprises the replacement of the catering center with a capacity of 1,700 meals per day, the construction of a new medical center, an additional four story accommodation building with 550 beds, three training halls and the addition of an additional floor to the command building.

All roofs will be equipped with photovoltaic systems, heating will be provided by the data center, domestic water will be treated by heat pumps, and the rooms will be mechanically ventilated.
 

Selected technical solution

INSTAFLEX was selected for cold and hot water installations and also the compressed air lines.

The building services planners at Amstein-Walthert chose INSTAFLEX for the cold and hot water installations as well as compressed air lines. The corrosion-free piping system made of the flexible plastic polybutene offers a wide range of dimensions from d16 mm to d315 mm.

Polybutene has a much lower expansion force compared to steel and other plastics. This is picked up by means of rigid assembly. This means that there is no need for expansion loops and legs or costly expansion joints. Polybutene also has a great eco-balance, is durable, incrustation-free as well as sound-absorbing and does not release any flavoring or harmful substances.


Simple, time-saving installation

Most of the installers at the Steger plumbing company were not very familiar with INSTAFLEX‘s capabilities.

They were trained on site by GF Piping Systems specialists in theory and practice. "After just one day, everyone mastered welding and assembling,“ says Michael Gottschling, Steger‘s supervising assembler. "Prefabrication of the basement route using the socket fusion jointing technology saved a lot of time. “The transitions from INSTAFLEX to the chrome steel press system in existing structures were accomplished with specially designed plastic press transitions.
 

Benefits of INSTAFLEX

  • Wide dimension range d16-d315
  • 4 possible jointing technologies with one type of pipe
  • 1 fusion device for 10 dimensions
  • Totally corrosion and incrustation free
  • Hygienically flawless
  • Great ecological balance


Contact

GF Piping Systems Ltd
Ebnatstrasse 111
8201 Schaffhausen
SWITZERLAND


The information and technical data (altogether “Data”) herein are not binding, unless explicitly confirmed in writing. The data does not constitute explicit, implicit, or warranted characteristics, nor guaranteed properties or guaranteed durability. All data are subject to modification. The general conditions of supply of GF Piping Systems
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Polybutene-1 is often referred to as Polybutene, Polybutylene, PB-1 or PB.

Polybutene-1 is not sold by PBPSA members for use in pipe applications intended for use in North America, and those parties require their customers or distributors not to sell products made from PB-1 into pipe applications for North America.
 

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