Introduction
PB-1 piping systems for heating and cooling have become an essential technology for modern, energy-efficient buildings.
Latest technology heating and cooling
Polybutene-1 piping systems are widely accepted as the current state-of-the-art for heating and cooling installations across a broad spectrum of building categories. Through the raw material capabilities of PB-1, the installation process and operating performance of systems for heating and cooling is optimised.
Best in class operation
PB-1 systems offer best-in-class chemical resistance, flexibility and easy jointing, combined with excellent pressure and temperature resistance providing long-term reliability in domestic, commercial and industrial installations. They combine speed and ease of installation for the installer with numerous benefits for the end-user including no corrosion or problems from scale build-up.
With the exception of connections to boilers, Polybutene-1 pipes and fittings can be used for complete radiator or heating and cooling systems for location in floors, walls or ceilings.
PB-1 Benefits
Long-term ISO 9080 tests performed on PB-1 pipes project service lifetimes of 50 years or more for pipes operating with water at 70°C, at 10 bar pressure.
Key Benefits
- Pipe flexibility
- Energy savings in use
- Ease and speed of installation
- No scale build up or corrosion
- Quieter operation
- Less likelihood of cold weather burst
- Chemical resistance
- Low theft value
Floor heating
Due to its flexible nature, Polybutene-1 pipe is ideal for use in underfloor central heating systems and variations on existing floors. Where pipes are laid at 100mm centres and turns are required, Polybutene-1 gives the installer the ability to bend the pipe to a tighter radius to enable centres to be maintained. This can be essential within small rooms where maximum pipe coverage is required.
Flexibility is also important when trying to install underfloor central heating in intermediate floor levels where pipes have to fit between joists. The pliability of the pipe enables it to be cabled through floor and/or ceiling spaces using various methods - but all with the same ease of handling. Configurations for PB-1 coiled floor heating include:
Underfloor (solid)
Underfloor central heating in solid or screeded floors.
Floating Floor
Underfloor central heating is ideal for floating floors above existing timber or solid sub-bases.
Suspended Floor
Pipes can be laid along the joists using spreader plates or across joists on battens using spreader plates.
Wall and ceiling heating and cooling
Polybutene-1 pipes are also widely used within wall and ceiling heating and cooling systems. As with underfloor heating systems, wall heating systems primarily use radiant heat. Radiant heating is generally considered healthier due to the elimination of convection currents in a room that can circulate dust, bacteria and mould spores.
Polybutene-1 pipes are pre-installed within plasterboard or directly in dry wall panels, resulting in a reduction of installation costs. Energy savings of up to 15% can also be made as room temperatures can be reduced by 2 or 3 degrees.
Polybutene 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 Polybutene into pipe applications for North America.