Phenolic pipe insulation blocks offer the best all round solution for insulating pipe supports. This is because they are cost-effective, versatile and extremely thermally efficient.

The primary function of phenolic block supports is to isolate the pipe from the pipe support to both insulate and provide load bearing support. The inserts prevent contact between the pipe and the clamp which can lead to heat loss and condensation.

Walraven Phenblox®

Walraven Phenblox is a high-performing phenolic block that offers excellent thermal insulation values to help you ensure your projects meet insulation requirements.

Combine Walraven Phenblox with Walraven pipe clamps to ensure efficient installaton and load-bearing capacity. It can be combined with Walraven clamps including 2S, HD clamps and split bands depending on your needs. To help you find the matching clamp and block combination, we have a handy table in our Walraven Phenblox brochure.

Features and Benefits of Walraven Phenblox®

• Available in range of thicknesses from 15mm to 50mm
• Special sizes can be manufactured on request
• Metal spreader plate included above 50NB for load distribution
• Foil covering, stepped joint and closed cell structure ensure moisture resistance
• Bore coating ensures no corrosion on copper pipes
• Low thermal conductivity means performance can be achieved with thinner insulation DOP 60kg, DOP 80/120kg
• High level of fire resistance achieved – Euroclass BL-S1,d0
• CE and UKCA Marked
• Manufactured in the UK
• Specification documents available on NBS Source

If you have any questions about Walraven Phenblox, please contact our Technical Team who will be happy to help.

How does phenolic compare to wood and mineral wool supports?

Phenolic blocks offer a robust and effective solution for the majority of circumstances. It is clear that wood blocks offer a significantly inferior performance and are no longer recommended according to the British Standard BS5970:2012.

Mineral wool blocks are fairly new to the market and can be expensive. Often a thicker block is required to deliver the same level of insulation as phenolic, but they do offer a completely non-combustible solution – if this is required. In the vast majority of construction projects a Euroclass fire rating such as that which phenolic offers, is sufficient.

Read a more detailed comparison of these three solutions in our blog.

Specifying insulated pipe supports?

Specifying fixings helps to reduce the risk of poor quality products being used and also helps ensure complex installation requirements are considered early on. Walraven Phenblox are available to specifiers on NBS Source. Download ready made specification documents quickly and easily!

Where to buy Walraven Phenblox®

Our products including Walraven Phenblox are sold exclusively through M&E fixings companies and some plumbing merchants in the UK and Ireland. If you would like to find a distributor please get in touch with our sales team.

The post How to deliver thermally efficient installations with phenolic blocks appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

Installing M&E systems on flat roofs is challenging enough, but what if the roof or surface you are fixing to has a pitch or slope? It’s important that services are installed level to ensure safe and proper functioning of the equipment.

Basic wedge for set pitch

This presents challenges for fixing the M&E services using standard rooftop support feet as the majority are designed to sit on a flat surface. The most common solution offered is that of a rubber wedge to place under the support foot, which is fine if the pitch of the roof slope matches the pitch of the wedge, but is otherwise a quite inflexible solution!

The all-in-one, fully adjustable solution

Fully adjustable Walraven Yeti 480

That’s why we developed our Walraven Yeti 480 foot, to deliver an all-in-one solution with easy adjustment and plenty of added benefits. With no additional parts required, simply tilt the adjustable mid-section to the required pitch and tighten with the allen key provided. This makes it fast, accurate and incredibly easy to install.

The Walraven Yeti 480’s design includes features that facilitate precise alignment of M&E systems on pitched roofs. Installers can easily adjust the product to match the roof’s slope, guaranteeing optimal alignment regardless of the degree of pitch (0-7°).

In the following section we will explore the wider challenges of fixing on a rooftop, whether pitched or flat, and how the Yeti® 480 offers a complete, advanced solution all-in-one.

The pitch is a challenge, but what else should be considered?

Both flat and pitched roofs pose a number of challenges to be addressed when looking to install M&E services. Walraven Yeti feet provide a reliable, simple solution to address all of these issues.

Structural integrity of the roof

This must be considered prior to installation to ensure it is not compromised with the chosen solution. One of the key factors relating to this is ensuring suitable load distribution of the installation. Every rooftop surface has its own deformation rating, how much load can be safely applied to the surface, until penetration. This will determine the number and placement of roof support feet required.

Walraven Yeti® feet can provide optimised load distribution for up to very high loads and our technical team can help you determine the number of feet required for the optimal solution.

Surface material

Different surfaces will have a different coefficient of friction. This means that the resistance to motion between the rubber support feet and the roof surface can differ. Therefore, a suitable solution must be chosen to ensure that the installation is stable and does not move or slide on the surface.

Walraven Yeti® 480 feet come with a non-slip mat as standard which is compatible with most common surface types. In addition, ballast blocks can be used to provide extra stability if required.

Vibration and noise resistance

If you’re installing HVAC equipment on a rooftop, this can often result in noise and vibration which can pass through the building structure and cause potentially severe problems. In some cases anti-vibration products such as spring mounts may also be required, but the rooftop support feet can also help towards combatting problematic noise and vibration.

As most rooftop feet are made of rubber, they provide some ‘natural’ level of vibration and noise resistance, but in most cases this cannot be quantified or guaranteed because the product has not been tested and certified for this. So if there is a particular concern regarding noise on your build, you might need to look carefully for a certified solution like Walraven’s Yeti® 480.

Walraven Yeti® 480 feet not only include an integrated anti-vibration mat, they are the only rooftop support feet that have received third party testing and certification for noise reduction. They were tested according to DIN EN ISO 10140-1 and DIN EN ISO 10140-3 up to 31 dB(A).

Weather conditions

When installing on an exposed rooftop, it is critical to take into account the effect that different weather conditions will have on the installation. For example, wind and snow loads need to be considered when looking at the overall rooftop load capacity.

UV rays can cause serious degradation to plastic and rubber elements of a rooftop installation, such as the plastic or rubber support feet. This could seriously limit the lifetime of the installation if the feet used do not have any UV resistant properties.

Walraven Yeti® 480 feet have been tested and certified by ITB for UV resistance according to EN ISO 16474-3:2014-02. So you can be confident that they will deliver a long lifespan.

Environmental considerations

If environmental considerations are important on your project, you will want to use products that help you deliver more sustainable installations, or meet any requirements specified in the building design documents. Most rooftop support feet are made of rubber or plastic. Manufacturers should be able to tell you if they are made of recycled materials or not, be aware that not all will be. So if this is an important requirement for your project you should enquire with the manufacturer.

Walraven Yeti® 480 feet are made of WPC which is a recycled plastic and wood fibre composite and can be recycled or reused at the end of their lifespan.

Want to know more about the Walraven Yeti® 480?

See why it was used on the recent Everton Stadium build in our online case study.

Visit our Walraven Yeti page to find out more and see a video demonstration of the product.

The post How to install M&E systems on pitched roofs appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

What difference can channel make?

Using a small profile channel can offer some great benefits over fixing your pipe clips individually to the wall. And it doesn’t have to cost the Earth!

Here are some of the key benefits of using a small profile channel:

• Helps you complete the installation faster – When you have multiple rows of pipes it is quicker and easier to fix one length of channel to the wall to hold multiple clips than measuring out and drilling lots of holes to fix individual back plates to mount every clip separately.
• Easy alignment and adjustment – Using a length of channel makes it easier to line up your clips and makes any adjustments much easier and neater. All you need to do is simply reposition the channel nut rather than removing individual clips from the wall and re-drilling new positions.
• Strong and reliable support – Using channel provides a much stronger and more reliable support than individual backplates.
• Using pre-assembled chanel nuts makes the job much less fiddly – Walraven’s RapidRail® channel nuts (Hammerfix) are fully pre-assembled including stud lengths and simply push-twist into the channel. They slide to allow easy positioning and can then be tightened. Loosen and adjust if required. The pipe clip is then screwed directly on. Saving time drilling holes, screwing in the backplate, attaching the stud then screwing in the pipe clip.

What small profile channel options are there?

The most common channel profiles on the market are 41×41 and 41×21. Both of these profiles however, are larger than is required for these kinds of installations. They use a lot of steel making them expensive alongside the preassembled nuts that fit them.

However, Walraven’s RapidRail® channel is a very cost-effective alternative to using standard strut channel sizes (both41x41 and 41×21). It is a 30×20 profile so is much lighter and uses much less steel, and it has been load tested in various configurations to evidence its suitability for these kinds of installations.

Will Walraven RapidRail® make my installations more expensive?

The parts are likely to cost a little more than using backplates, but not as much as you might think! We did a price comparison for installing 2 rows of 12 pipe clips on a wall (prices at January 2023, prices can vary across suppliers).

• Cost of 12 backplates with 35mm stud section at JPL Direct £1.48 each
• Total price: £17.76 (inc VAT)

VS

• Cost of 2m Walraven RapidRail® small profile channel (30×20) at JPL Direct £11.35
• Cost of 12 hammerfix (pre-assembled nut with stud lengths) M10 with 25mm stud at JPL £8.04
• Total price: £19.39 (inc VAT)

This shows it can be as little as £1.63 more expensive to use Walraven RapidRail® system. But when you also consider that you should also be able to complete the job quicker and easier, you might consider it to be worth it.

Why not give it a try?

If you want to give it a try you can purchase RapidRail® easily online from one of our major stockists JPL Direct (mentioned in the price comparison above) or Trentside Fixings (another major stockist).

Williams Plumbing Merchants also stock RapidRail® in their branches or you can purchase from their website.

Still not convinced? Read some installer testimonials.

The post How to make your heating system installs easier using channel appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

For example, let’s take a simple scenario where a combustible pipe and some cables go through the same opening. It is often believed that just using any approved fire collar around the pipe together with any approved sealant around the cables will be acceptable. However, this is not always the case and it will depend on a) whether the firestop products belong to the same manufacturer and b) whether that manufacturer has actually tested this scenario.

Types of penetrations

Before taking a deeper look into this, it is important to understand the testing procedures for different types of penetration seals and make a clear distinction on the terminology, as stated in BS EN 1366-3:2021 (Fire resistance tests for service penetrations). The British Standard gives the following definitions:

Single Service Penetration Seal – A penetration seal intended for penetrations with only one service passing through.

Multiple Service Penetration Seal – A penetration seal intended for penetrations where more than one service of the same type (e.g. cables) or pipe material group pass through.

Mixed Penetration Seal – A penetration seal intended for penetrations where more than one type of service (e.g. cables and pipes or pipes of different pipe material groups) pass through.

Now let’s look at an example of each of the above so we can make this more easily understood.

Single service penetration seals

An example of a single service penetration would be a single combustible PE pipe Ø75mm going through a flexible wall. In Walraven’s case, to fire seal this pipe penetration we could recommend our Walraven Pacifyre MKII(P) fire sleeve. As you can see by reviewing the ETA documentation for this product (ETA-20/0732), an extract of which is shown here, the ETA shows that the product is approved for use in this scenario and its fire resistance would be EI 120mins.

Multiple service penetration seals

A multiple service penetration is one that has several identical pipes that need to be fire stopped. So using the same example as above, this could be a single opening with three combustible PE pipes, all Ø75mm going through a flexible wall.

In Walraven’s case, to fire seal this multiple service penetration we could again recommend our Walraven Pacifyre MKII(P) fire sleeve. To evidence the suitability of this we can again look at the ETA. The following extract from the ETA shows you that the fire resistance in this scenario will again be EI120. (Its worth noting that in this specific example the fire resistance is the same as for a single pipe, but this may not always be the case for other pipe types and scenarios.)

For multiple service penerations the ETA goes one step further and explains the exact service arrangements that this product has been tested for, as shown here.

We can see that the Walraven Pacifyre MKII(P) fire sleeves can be used when identical pipes are installed in a cluster, vertical row and horizontal row with minimum distances between them.

Mixed penetration seals

As mentioned before, this is the scenario where we have several different services or different pipe materials passing through the same opening. Naturally, this is the most challenging scenario with regards to fire stopping and careful planning, design and installation is required.

Here is an example. This photo shows a mixture of pipes (made of different materials, and different sizes), cables and cable trays going through the same opening in a concrete wall.

In this case, it is not sufficient to install individual firestop products that have been approved for use on each individual type of service. For this scenario the firestop manufacturer needs to provide a tested detail or an ETA for the whole system required for sealing the opening.

This would usually comprise of the fire batt (closing the entirety of the opening) along with all of the various individual firestop components required for each the penetrating services such as fire collars, sealants, wraps etc. All individual components must have been tested for use together in one single opening like this. Only if they have been tested together like this can they be approved for use in a mixed-service opening.

In this example the ‘system’ approval will provide us with a specific fire resistance which is usually dictated by the critical service approach (e.g. the system’s overall rating will be the same as the rating of the weakest element that would fail first in a fire test). Currently Walraven cannot offer an approved solution for mixed-service penetrations because our offering for this is still going through the required testing procedures. By the middle of 2023 we hope to be able to launch our approved solutions for mixed service openings.

In summary

It is clear to see from the above examples that mixed penetrations are by far the biggest challenge when it comes to fire stopping. Firestop solutions can only be used if they have been tested and approved for the same combination of services as a whole. Not if they have only been tested for each individual service element on their own.

So when designing the installation of M&E services it is useful to take a moment and think, can this installation of pipes and cables actually be fire stopped and is there enough test evidence for it? If in doubt you can always reach out to manufacturers or industry experts directly to ask for further advice.

The post How to firestop single, multiple and mixed-service penetrations appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

What are the problems with traditional welded steelwork?

When installing a welded steelwork system, a hot works permit is required on site which can mean increased H&S risks on site, more costs and longer lead times. There can also be logistical challenges on site as lifting equipment might be required to move the steels into place. Welded steelwork is also not easily modified on site, adjustments may require re-cutting and re-welding resulting in slow progress and material waste.

How can Walraven’s modular steel system save time on site?

Modular steel systems have many advantages over traditional welded steelwork supports. Walraven’s Maxx system is designed for fast and efficient 3D construction using a simple range of parts which can be used for many applications.

Walraven Maxx Hammerfix Connector

The unique feature of the Walraven Maxx system, compared to other systems available, is the Walraven Hammerfix bolt connector. This innovative connector is simply inserted into the rail and turned 90° before tightening quickly and easily with an impact driver.

The beauty of this connector is that it can be used to hold the assembly in place and make adjustments before the final tightening. This connector can be used to connect all parts of the system. It has a high load capacity and a linear indent on the top to indicate the position of the T-bolt within the rail.

            Walraven  Maxx Hamerfix Connector         Push into rail, twist and tighten!

Additional time-saving features of Walraven Maxx

In addition to the Walraven Hammerfix connector, the Walraven Maxx modular steel system can also save installation time with the following features:

• Supplied in kit form, with pre-cut rail and assembly parts ready for construction on site. No cutting. No welding. No drilling.
• Easy to modify on site if required
• Box profile rail with continuous hole perforations on each side for maximum flexibility and versatility
• 100% hole pattern match between all parts for easier and faster construction
• Easy 3D construction using simple Hammerfix connectors
• Lighter than traditional welded steelwork systems so quicker and easier to move around site
• Off-the-shelf parts mean you can obtain additional parts if required, quickly and easily.
• Walraven’s Technical Support Team can provide designs and part lists with loadings and all supporting calculations and documentation for your project

Find out more about Walraven’s Maxx modular steel system

Find out more about Walraven Maxx including product information, case studies and other useful articles here.  

If you would like to request a product demonstration or an appointment with a Walraven representative to find out more about this modular steel system, or technical support then please complete the form onthis page and we will get back to you.

The post How to reduce installation time with Walraven Maxx modular steel system appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

If you are looking for pipe clamps to fix a heavy load pipe installation, there are often two types of pipe clamp to choose from – traditional split bands or modern heavy duty pipe clamps. Both of these clamps are suitable for supporting heavier loads (generally speaking), however, there are some important differences that you might want to consider.

Modern versus traditional heavy duty pipe clamps

Split bands have been around for years and are a traditional clamp comprising of a basic construction of two pieces of formed metal, secured in two places with nuts and bolts.         

Some installers tend to favour these clamps as they are a tried and tested method of supporting pipes and they have been used in construction for many years. So it is understandable that some installers may be reluctant to consider newer, more innovative versions of these clamps for supporting heavy loads. But there can be some great benefits of using modern alternatives.

Modern pipe clamps for supporting heavy loads, like our HD Clamps, have been designed using state of the art manufacturing methods and with quicker and easier installation in mind. As a result, they can deal in more flexible ways with issues such as:

• Thermal expansion (as part of a system)
• Dealing with extreme forces
• Soundproofing requirements (lined versions)
• Corrosion resistance (C1-C4)
• Fast installation needs            

Now we’ll take a look at some of the specific benefits Walraven’s HD Clamps range has over traditional split bands in more detail.

.

HD Clamps – the versatile, modern alternative

As you can see, whilst there is a place for traditional pipe clamps like split bands, there are also many benefits to considering the use of modern alternatives like HD Clamps. For those contractors who value quality guarantees, saving time on site, installation advantages and being able to prove that the clamp can support the loads and forces required, heavy duty clamps are certainly worth considering. 

Why choose Walraven Heavy Duty Pipe Clamps?

Buying from Walraven you get more than just the pipe clamp itself. You will be sourcing from a quality minded manufacture with the highest levels of approvals, and you are buying from a team that can advise and support in both the procurement and implementation stages.

• Full batch and quality control as all pipe clamps are our own manufactured product
• Independent certifications from RAL mean the clamps will meet the highest requirements
• HD Clamps are authorised for use on the London Underground (LUL Authorisation)
• Certified levels of fire safety
• Options for soundproofing and corrosion resistance
• Can be provided as part of a whole prefabricated system for pipe fixing
• Both technical advice and project support are available to help you select the right pipe clamps for your installation

The post How to choose the right heavy duty pipe clamps for your project appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

Here is an overview of some of the considerations:

• Equipment specifications
  Different types of HVAC equipment will require different solutions. You need to consider the size and weight of the equipment or pipework and its structural attachment points. This will give you an idea of how many mounts you’ll need, and the size of those mounts.
• Location of equipment 
  The location and support surface of the equipment can affect which types of isolator are required. For example, is it ceiling mounted, floor mounted on a slab in a basement, or is it outdoors on a building rooftop?
• Vibration excitation of the equipment
  The rotational frequency (revolutions per second) of the machinery contribute to the levels of vibration. The forces and couples generated will influence the isolators required to dampen the vibrations.
• Type of building
  Different types of building can have different requirements for vibration and acoustic isolation. For example an entertainment venue, industrial facility or luxury apartment block may have more significant requirements or expectations than some other buildings.
• Environmental considerations
  Whether the equipment is placed indoors or outdoors can make a big difference, but under all circumstances, you need to consider environmental factors such as the degree of corrosivity and the minimum and maximum ambient temperature near the equipment.
• Special requirements
  Last but not least, you need to check if there are any special requirements. For example, are there electrical, pipework or ducting connections that might modify the mechanical response of the mounting system. Are there any externally applied forces or moments; minimum or maximum clearance requirements between equipment and foundation; alignment requirements; or dynamic loads.

How to evaluate the suitability of a vibration mount

Once you have a full overview of the installation requirements and external considerations, you need to select the anti vibration mount or isolator that provides you with the most efficient solution. A mount with soft rubber would isolate vibrations more, but if the rubber is too soft for the application, it might not be able to recover from deformity caused by the stress forces of the equipment, and it will not be as effective.

Therefore you need to determine the level of vibration transmission to the structure so that you can select a product which is capable of dampening the vibrations effectively. The simplest way to determine vibration transmission to the structure is to use static deflection and vibration isolation efficiency charts available in the Walraven VibraTek^® product documentation.

First, determine the static deflection of an isolator at a given load using the load displacement chart. Static deflection refers to how much your anti-vibration mount will compress under the weight of the equipment.

Then plot the deflection on the isolation efficiency chart to determine the degree of isolation for the given application. All charts are available in our brochure.

Learn more about the anti vibration mounts from Walraven

Vibration mount selection chart

Our brochure contains a useful matrix of products and applications to give you an initial idea of what type of vibration isolator might be suited to your project. It also contains all the charts for each product to help you decide which product would suit your installation.

In the Walraven portfolio, you can find a complete range of spring and rubber mounts, spring hangers, rubber absorbers and anti vibration pads.

Find out more about dealing with vibration in HVAC installations or browse our anti-vibration product range.

The post How to select anti vibration mounts appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

What is a trapeze hanger?

The trapeze hanger is a classic example of a strut-based pipe hanging solution. Typically constructed using 41×41 strut and lengths of threaded rod, these supports can be suspended from ceilings or steel beams to provide support for pipes and cable trays.

These kinds of supports are found in most large buildings as an easy way of fixing long runs of pipe and cable tray.

How can a lighter strut system make a better trapeze pipe support?

Nowadays, there are alternatives to using traditional 41×41 strut for hanging pipes and cable trays. Trapeze hangers can be constructed from lighter rail, which will still support the required load in most cases.

Using a lighter rail in place of the strut offers a number of advantages including:

• A lighter rail is easier to lift, carry, transport and install, especially in overhead installations.
• Less likely to result in accident or injury as it is easier to handle.
• More environmentally friendly as it uses less steel.
• Some systems like our RapidRail® offer a reduction in overall installation costs – time and labour saving construction.
• Can be prefabricated quickly and easily offsite.

How can Walraven’s RapidRail® reduce the overall cost of installation?

As well as the benefits of being a light rail, the Walraven RapidRail® system includes pre-assembled fixings like Walraven slide nuts and Walraven Hammerfix so that there is no need to use loose nuts, bolts, washers and stud. These 3 or 4 in 1 parts simply push and twist into the rail. This makes a huge difference to the speed and ease of installation resulting in time and labour savings and therefore a reduction in overall installation costs. Speed and efficiency when installing long pipe runs can be a game changer.

How do I know if a lighter rail trapeze will support the loads required?

For multi-layer trapeze hangers, or runs of larger pipes it is important to be certain that the trapeze design can support the installation load.

As a fixings specialist we can provide all elements of the trapeze system including the concrete screws, threaded rod, rail, pipe clamps and slide nuts. All of our products have been tested in use together so our Technical Team can design your trapeze frame (for free) and provide you with the maximum permissible loads. This is something unique we can offer as a supplier of all the components of the trapeze system.

Example of Walraven technical drawings for trapeze hangers including products and loadings. 

For a fast, cost-effective trapeze pipe hanger try Walraven RapidRail®

In the high pressure construction environment we find that installers are often looking for faster, more effective installation fixings, as well as guarantees that these systems are fit for purpose. Walraven RapidRail® is becoming a popular alternative to traditional strut as it offers so many additional benefits.

If you would like a trapeze hanger design using Walraven RapidRail® you can download our Pipe Support Design Checklist which you can use to fill in the requirements for your trapeze hanger. Follow the link and instructions on the page that follows.

If your requirements do not suit this form, please get in touch with our Technical Team here.

The post How to make faster, more cost-effective trapeze hangers appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

Building services play an important role in the construction and performance of a building. Despite this, our experience tells us that building services fixings are rarely planned in at project design stage. In fact, they are frequently not considered until much nearer installation phase. Whilst this approach can work, it leaves little time and flexibility to plan the most effective and efficient fixings. Consequently, it can lead to time pressures, increased costs and increased risks when it comes to product selection and installation.

We have written a guide to optimising your building services installation to reduce cost, reduce risk and reduce time on site. This gives insight into some ways that you can work smarter when designing your M&E fixing requirements.

Below are some highlights from the guide, the full document can be downloaded here.

How can M&E fixings save time on site?

It is not unusual for construction projects to overrun. Fewer than 1 in 3 contractors report that they always finish projects on time and within budget. Even though building services fixings can seem like a tiny part of the overall project, they can contribute key time-saving benefits if given the opportunity.

Time costs money, so any processes whereby installation time is reduced, can also result in cost savings.

One way M&E fixings can save time on site is if you choose the right products. There is a huge selection of fixings on the market, from traditional nuts, bolt, washers and pipe brackets to modern, more innovative, labour-saving alternatives. When fixings are not planned in at the design stage, the tendency can be to select products you have always used. But this does not always allow you to reap the benefits of new product developments.

So if you are able to put some time aside in the planning phase of the project to research product alternatives, you could find some real time-savers. For example, there are modern alternatives to traditional strut systems whereby nuts, bolts and washers are all pre-assembled and even some of the bracketry with these systems comes with pre-assembled fixings ready to just twist into place. When you are installing miles of pipework, having pre-assembled fixings can save up to 40% fixing time.

As well as smart product selection, planning ahead and exploring offsite prefabrication of pipe bracketry can also reap time-saving rewards on site. Read more in our guide here.

How can M&E fixings reduce my project costs?

We have touched on how product selection can save costs, with smart product selection allowing for reduced labour time and therefore reduced labour costs on site. Another key to saving costs is planning ahead. Fixings can seem like a small part of the job requirements. However, if you can spend time planning your requirements ahead of time, you can make valuable savings in a number of areas. Planning fixings earlier in the process can mean:

• you are less likely to experience problems with product availability at installation phase
• there will be time to identify alternative cost saving products
• you can take advantage of things like offsite manufacture
• there is time to train installers with any new installation methods (saving costs and errors by installers)
• you may be able to identify any design rationalisation opportunities
• allows you to effectively identify and deal with more complex considerations like pipe movement, fire stopping and any environment and infrastructure issues

Find out more about cost saving by downloading the full guide here.

How can M&E fixings reduce risks on my project?

Construction projects are full of risk, even when installing building services, there are risks that can be reduced or mitigated. One major risk is installation failure. If M&E services go wrong there can be costly results of rework to fix issues. So making sure the correct products are selected (for example to deal with pipe movement), and installed according to manufacturer instructions (for example for anchors this is crucial) can go a long way to reduce risk of installation problems down the line.

Modern construction processes like BIM (Building Information Modelling) are now also showing their benefits for reducing risk and generating efficient and effective building services installations.

Read our complete guide to optimising your building services installation.

The post How M&E Contractors can save time, money and reduce risk appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.

This step-by-step guide shows you just how easy it is!

Step 1

The RSWB brackets are supplied in two connected halves. So the first step is to gently bend them to snap the brackets apart

Step 2

Slide the two halves together to form the complete bracket.

Step 3

Bend the fixing tabs at both ends and adjust the bracket to the required length for your installation. There are two brackets available, a 10-16” (25-40cm) RSWB and a 16-24” (40-60cm) RSWB depending on the joist width.

Step 4

Set the bracket back into the joist at the depth required. The bracket can be placed at any depth needed. If it needs to be close to the top of the joist, the fixing plates can be bent easily along the slotted markers to sit flat on the front of the joist, or bend back inwards out of the way.

Step 5

Screw into the joist with two screws through each fixing plate. If fixing to wooden joists, any suitable wood screw can be used. If fixing to metal stud, a self-tapping screw is required.

Step 6

Pre-drilled holes along the bracket allow you to secure your electrical box, conduit clip or pipe clips quickly and easily. You can fix to either side of the bracket, although we would recommend using the flat side to get a nice secure, flush fixing.

Top tip!

The indented side is the same profile as our Walraven RapidRail® channel and can be used with our Walraven RapidRail® hammerfix slide nuts if you want to attach lined pipe clips.

Installer views

Amigo Electrical uses them as standard for electrical first fixing: “We use the RSWB as standard now for all our first fixing. It’s so convenient, cost-effective and is a huge time-saver.” 

Craig from HB Plumbing and Heating uses the Walraven RSWB. He said: “We keep a box of RSWB brackets on all our work vans, the time-saving element is key for us. We’re using the bracket on almost all of our installations now from bathroom first fixing, long pipe runs through timber joists and stud walls, to repair works. They have really changed the way we work. It’s such a versatile product which helps us get our jobs done quicker and they look great too!”

Find out where to buy!

The Walraven RSWB is widely available to purchase from electrical wholesalers, fixings merchants and online. Follow the link to find some stockists.

The post How to install the RSWB in a step-by-step guide appeared first on Walraven United Kingdom.