Energy Efficiency
Product Study: PB-1 piping system consumed 50% less energy for production and installation than the other systems in the study made from plastics
Comparative energy analysis
The Technical University of Berlin conducted an energy efficiency and environmental impact analysis on hot and cold water pressurised piping systems.
The study made a comparison of the total energy consumption for the production and installation of a piping system for a multiple dwelling with 16 apartments using a number of competitive metal and plastic systems.
Study conclusion
Due principally to their lighter weight, plastics materials had a distinct advantage over metal pipes, but the PB-1 piping system proved to be 50% lower in total energy consumption than the other plastics systems included in the study.
Reason: This was due to the superior internal pressure performance of Polybutene-1 , allowing smaller pipe wall thicknesses for the same capability.
Emissions
Environmental impact of emissions
To provide a comparative analysis of emissions into soil, air and water the T.U. Berlin study developed a standardised comparison method, referred to as VENOB (Vergleichende Normierende Bewertung).
This method allows a simplified and straightforward interpretation of the emissions data. Single emissions are recorded, standardised and then summarised in three individual and independent parameters: emissions into soil; emissions into water; and emissions into air.
The lowest specific value of the six pipe materials compared was set to 1.0 and the other values were then calculated relative to this lowest value. The figures presented illustrate the results and show that in all three emissions, Polybutene-1 piping systems have the least environmental impact.
Site Safety
Light, flexible, secure and safe
The ease of installation and light weight of Polybutene-1 piping systems makes a considerable contribution to good site safety.
Health and safety are key concerns in all construction projects. The ease of installation and light weight of Polybutene-1 piping systems makes a considerable contribution to good site safety.
As previously discussed, the flexibility of PB-1 pipes means that it can be easily cabled through holes and tight spaces minimising the need for cutting and jointing. Many installations can be carried out without pre-measuring since it is easy to cut in situ.
Since no bending tools are required, a complete pipework installation can be completed requiring only a pair of cutters. No naked flame heating is required to make reliable watertight joints. For larger bore pipes, prefabricated socket fusion and/or in situ electrofusion systems can be installed using computerised easy-to-use electrofusion welding techniques. No solders, fluxes, greases or solvents are used with Polybutene-1 systems. PB-1 piping systems are also non-conductive, providing a safer system with minimum earthing requirements.
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.