Blogs
Hazards of Welding and Confined Space Work
October 2020
The welding of pipes and fittings is a proven and frequently used method of joining pipes. However, there are a number of hazards which can be seen immediately as well as those which are more subtle and be detrimental to health over a period of time.
Some examples of these hazards are:
- Fires and Explosions
- Burns
- Toxic Fumes and Gases
- Electric Shock
- Radiation
Find out how to overcome the risk of welding hazards & working in confined spaces.
What are the benefits of Europress?
August 2020
When Europress arrived on New Zealand shores it was met by those who welcomed it with open arms seeing the immediate benefits, those who liked the idea but were just a little unsure, and those who wanted to stick with traditional piping joining methods.
Europress brings to you an innovative piping solution whilst offering many benefits to your projects in many ways…
- Project savings of up to 30%
- Eliminates hot works
- Reduce plant downtime
Click here to gain further insight into the benefits of using Europress
5 key considerations when using Europress carbon steel press-fit for heating systems
July 2020
Europress carbon steel press-fit piping system is becoming increasingly popular for closed circuit heating systems. Engineers, consultants, installers, and asset owners are reaping the benefits of using this high-quality product. The Europress offers significant advantages such as:
- Lower cost.
- Easier handling for installers which has health and safety benefits.
- Lowering the total material weight of the system on the building structure.
- In some cases, greater capacity compared to pipes with the same external diameter.
- Less environmental impact in both the production and moving phases.
Click below to read more on transportation & storage, installation, pressure testing and more…
5 design tips to extend the life of PVC pipework
June 2020
PVC first began to be manufactured in the 1940’s used for Drain-Waste-Vent piping during the reconstruction of Germany and Japan following World War Two. Having been around for 80 years, PVC has proven itself to be a reliable piping system. As with any piping system, understanding the limitations of the selected piping material and following key design, principles can significantly improve the life expectancy of a piping system.
- Understand temperature capability and pressure de-rating
- Minimise and where possible eliminate water hammer
- Be aware and allow for thermal expansion and contraction
- Protect the piping from UV radiation
- Protect PVC from freezing
Click below to explore the five design tips which you can follow to ensure you get the most out of PVC pipework.
Practical considerations on stainless steel pipework in health and aged care facilities
June 2020
In today’s market there are many and varied piping materials to choose from and every material has pro’s and con’s. Europress stainless steel press fit piping system is showing a steady increase in being used in both health and aged care facilities throughout New Zealand.
Why should stainless steel be considered for building services in health and aged care facilities?
- European manufactured
- Good corrosion resistance
- Low maintenance costs
- Non-toxic
- 100% recyclable
- Aesthetically pleasing
Click below to find out more about the key benefits stainless steel offers for both hydraulic and mechanical services.
The Importance of Getting Your Pipe Bracketing Right
May 2020
Bracketing plays an important role in giving you the maximum or even extending the expected life of your pipework. There can be many and varied causes for pipe failure, but one common cause is poor selection and installation of bracketing. Issues such as using brackets of dissimilar metals or placing a bracket too close to a change in direction are common factors which can lead to failure.
The following quick guide will give you an insight into correct bracket SUPPORT, SELECTION, PLACEMENT, and ANCHORING.
Click here to continue reading
The Number One Way To Hold Yourself Accountable
May 2020
We all have two voices in our heads. One of them says “Eye on the prize. Stay focused. Reach your goals. Do the work.” The other voice says “Seize the day! Life is short! Have fun! Indulge!” Read more on taking control of those powerful voices to hold yourself accountable…
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING
7 Productivity Tips for Working from Home
April 2020
With a potential end of a level four lockdown on the horizon some will be counting down the days to freedom and others will be trying to make the most of every opportunity which comes their way. To help you in your preparation to emerge stronger from the lockdown phase we thought we would share 7 tips to help you manage, and we use the word manage not minimise as family time is important, distractions and be more productive in the days left to us. These tips include:
- Defining your morning routine
- Establish a designated workstation
- Minimise distractions
- Schedule a time to check the news
Beware of the Brass
September 2019
Not all copper alloys are created equal - so it’s important to verify their composition when using them in raw water applications.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The proportions of each give brass different mechanical properties. In short, the reason for the copper is that it is unreactive, however it is very malleable and easily shaped and on the other hand, zinc is reactive but very strong and durable. By combining the two and creating brass, we have the “best of both worlds” with a product that is unreactive and strong – perfect for plumbing fittings and valves
DISCOVER WHAT QUALITY BRASS IS - CLICK HERE
What is the correct PVC Cementing Process, and Why should I use Primer?
April 2019
Whether you have an apprentice you’d like to train, or an experienced installer that needs a refresh, check out our new article which covers the correct priming and cementing process, common misconceptions about primer, and photos showing the consequences of not using primer.
What is Intergranular Corrosion (IGC)?
November 2018
Some of us are familiar with situations where stainless-steel pipelines have corroded, or more specifically cracked, on the welds. But we didn’t know it had a name, let alone why it happened or how to avoid it.
Intergranular corrosion is called IGC for short and also known as ‘Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking’. It causes significant problems across industry yet isn’t given the attention it deserves.
So, why and how does it occur, and what are the solutions? Let’s put it under the microscope.
Development of the NZ Dairy Industry
A few cows to global powerhouse in 200 years
December 2018
Since the early 1800’s the dairy industry in New Zealand has gone from farmers keeping a few domestic cows on bush blocks to now being a world leader accounting for 3% of total dairy production worldwide. Many of the most exciting innovations to influence the dairy industry globally were invented by kiwis. Waterworks are proud to have been involved in the development of this industry over the last 35 years.
Read on to see how NZ dairy has become what it is today, and where the future might take us.
5 Myths About Europress Busted + Europress Benefits
December 2018
If you haven’t used Europress yet, it’s probably because you’re not sure what it costs or if it has proven benefits, and you really don’t want to talk to a sales rep. You’re not alone. Engineers are often surprised to find that:
- You don’t have to get kitted out with expensive tooling to use Europress. Utilise our hire tooling fleet, fall in love with Europress, then invest in your own tooling down the track.
- Press-fit is not a ‘fad’ and you’re not a ‘guinea pig’ if you try it. It has been used in Europe for over 25 years, and is trusted in NZ by Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Genesis Energy, Grey Base Hospital, and many more.
- If you’re a welder, Europress is not a threat to your skill. It is a complimentary string to your bow. It will not take over all your welding work. Most of our clients are welders.
- As we know from our power bills, hydro-power companies are in the process of producing liquid gold. One hour of downtime can cost them more than $100,000! Contact Energy choose Europress, because it’s speed of installation means less downtime, and its reliability and ease-of-adjustment means future downtime won’t be an issue.
- While materials may cost more, the installed cost, which is the true cost, is much lower due to the speed of installation.
Read on to see proof of the savings and benefits Europress offers.
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