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For residential, office and sports floor heating
Aquatherm is moving to a new location!
We will be closed from 12pm Friday 21st April 2023 and reopening at our new location in airpark Drive Wednesday 26th April, 8.30am.
Note: No change to postal address.
Our New Address is:
Aquatherm NZ
1/17 Airpark Drive
Mangere Auckland
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Durable, corrosion resistant, lightweight and robust pressure resistance at higher temperatures, these are the properties that aquatherm blue pipe MF RP combines. The pipe system made of Fusiolen PP-RCT is ideally suited for the demanding conditions of the HVAC market. Available in pressure ratings SDR9, SDR11 and SDR17.6. Our new Fusiolen based pipes care fully compatible with aquatherm Fusiolen PPR fittings.
The aquatherm blue system is suitable for pipe networks including those for:
100% corrosion resistant
Canterbury’s Burwood Hospital is a brand new facility which incorporates state-of-the-art medical technology to deliver the best outcomes for all patients who visit the centre. But, while perhaps less glamourous, just as important to the successful operation of Burwood Hospital is its plumbing and reticulation systems – and these are just as cutting-edge as the gear which powers the theatres. Incorporating aquatherm piping systems for potable domestic hot and cold, and chilled, water systems, the building’s plumbing is designed to deliver high performance and low maintenance for the full life of the hospital.
According to Paul Eagleton, South Island manager of local importer and distributor aquatherm NZ Ltd, the piping systems selected for the hospital are reflective of the overall focus on future-proofing. “This is a building built for the new millennium. It incorporates every advantage the construction industry has to offer and that extends to the piping systems.”
Burwood Hospital has long been recognised as one of New Zealand’s centres of excellence for rehabilitation and elective orthopaedic surgery. As of June 2016, it became much more as site clearance began for the creation of state-of-the-art facilities linked to the ‘old’ Burwood Hospital.
Innovative thinking and design has shaped these new facilities to deliver better, more efficient healthcare now and in years to come. These new buildings house over 32 thousand square metres of purpose-built facilities on three floors and provide a total of 230 new inpatient beds.
Included are new ward blocks for medical, rehabilitation and mental health services for older people. There are also new outpatient areas, including radiology and pharmacy areas. Each 24 bed ward has three communal patient lounge areas plus a whanau room where patients can spend time with family members; the entire new build has beautifully landscaped courtyards throughout, designed to let in as much natural light as possible and help keep people connected to the outdoors.
So significant is the Burwood Hospital project that Dirk Rosenberg, CEO of aquatherm GmbH, personally visited the site as a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to quality implementations.
Unique properties for a lasting advantage
PP-R is polypropylene-random, a chemically inert thermoplastic. Its advantages over the metal pipes used since antiquity are all directly linked to its base form: unlike metals, PP-R does not react with minerals or contaminants in the water. It doesn’t break down (although it is fully recyclable) and delivers an extraordinarily long life. Because it is by nature flexible, it delivers a further advantage which has never been more relevant in Canterbury: it is earthquake resistant. What’s more the mineral-rich water in Canterbury lends itself more to the use of plastics rather than metallic pipe.
Where metal pipes will scale and potentially clog over time, there is no such issue with aquatherm’s products; where metal conducts heat, PP-R is a natural insulator, preserving the heat (or chill) of the liquid it transports and reducing the necessity for external cladding.
Installers love aquatherm
Tim Browne, Manager at mechanical and hydraulic services company David Browne Contractors which is responsible for the implementation of some 17 000 metres of aquatherm on site, provides insight: “We had proven the success of aquatherm on many other recent projects in Christchurch and around the South Island. It delivers a real advantage with its ‘cost versus time’ ratio.”
He says the time saved installing PP-R over other products makes it a preferred material to work with. “It’s light, easy to handle, quick to install and clean to use. Little wonder my installation teams enjoy working with this product.”
Browne explains how Fusiolen PP-R is worked. “The pipework is joined by fusion welding, where both ends of the pipe and fittings are heated to a set temperature, pushed together and held for a short time, allowing the product to fuse and bond. This method is far less stressful and takes much less time than other piped options.”
Importantly, he notes that the risk of leaks is reduced if the task is completed correctly.
“With projects like these, the ability to save time and effort while achieving an excellent outcome is like gold. We’ve used aquatherm successfully in New Zealand for 18 years now, and we’ve never looked back.”
Eagleton says the growing number of qualified installers and successful projects completed with aquatherm piping systems attest to the suitability of this world-proven product for the local market.
“Importantly, we don’t sell pipes and fittings, we sell the system. That means we make sure the product is accurately specified from the available range. Crucially, it means training and support for installers so they deploy it in accordance with applicable standards to get the job right. And finally, it means complete backing from aquatherm NZ from specification through to final pressure test. That provides the assurance to building owners – like the Canterbury DHB with Burwood Hospital – that their piping systems will stand the test of time.”
Pictured above: Dirk Rosenberg, CEO aquatherm GmbH, and Warwick Muirhead, David Browne Contractors Burwood team leader, conducting a site inspection prior to completion.
aquatherm is proud to announce that their polypropylene (PP-R) piping systems now carry a product-specified type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
This EPD is the highest environmental certification plumbing products can receive and is what architects and specifiers should be looking for when specifying for ‘green’ projects.
Independently verified by NSF Sustainability, aquatherm’s product-specified type III EPD was developed in compliance with international environmental management guidelines (ISO 14025). It benchmarks the environmental impacts of aquatherm green pipe, aquatherm blue pipe, aquatherm lilac pipe, aquatherm red pipe, and the aquatherm black system for potable water, mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), hydronic, reclaimed water, fire sprinkler, and industrial piping applications.
aquatherm would like to remind installers of the importance of completing and submitting the required Pressure Test after completing an installation. aquatherm uses the test information to verify proper processes for warranty purposes.
Heat fusion is essentially an all or nothing joining process. An improper fusion will hold very little pressure and will fail almost immediately when subjected to our high pressure testing. A proper fusion becomes as strong as the pipe wall and can easily pass our high pressure cycle test of 20 Bar.
There are 2 tests:
Remember both test are continuous tests, specific requirements that are essential to complete.
Aquatherm’s testing regime will:
aquatherm requires a copy of the pressure test and this needs to be submitted to aquatherm within 90 days of completion. We file all test sheets at our Auckland Head Office and test sheets combined with your Warranty document are then registered to the installation address.
We place a high value on the reputation of our brand and run our specific Registered Installer programme to minimize both the frequency and impact of installation issues.
Pressure testing is an essential part of the fusion welding process and your Q&A. Ensure your team leaders/ leading hands are well versed in the testing process and the essential requirements:
Pictured left: blue pipe in the munsen ring under 20 bar test and the movement (expansion) is clearly visible in this riser.
Pictured right: The D L Good Plumbers Ltd team setting up for pressure testing at Fonterra House.
aquatherm flexi system is a new class of polyethylene raised temperature type 2, a recyclable side chain thermo plastic for in wall installations in houses apartments etc.
Flexi utilises compression sleeve connections, recognised as a permanent joint using DR fittings and compression sleeves to complete seamless jointing and also to aquatherm green larger dimensions.
Care must be taken with expanding tooling, aquatherm uses a locked expanding head so that incorrect expanding tools will not over expand.
Only used brand matched aquatherm expanding tool and expanding heads….following the connection technique guidelines…remember to expand once, turn and expand again…..when expanding make sure the sleeve is well clear of the expander (outside the expansion zone to ensure there is no risk of damaging tool and pipe).
Key points to remember
Pictured above: aquatherm combined installation green to proprietary fusion attached flexi joints.
Pictured below: aquatherm locked expanding head for 16/20mm expansion
aquatherm is proud to announce the launch of their SDR 9 PP-RP MF pipe, an aquatherm green product for domestic hot water systems.
SDR 9 PP-RP MF has a 14 per cent larger internal bore than aquatherm’s standard SDR 7.4 MF pipes, and is 16 per cent lighter in weight.
The pipe is made from reinforced fusiolen PP-RP material, a PP-RCT classified product and one of the longest lasting and most chemically inert piping materials in the world. This means the pressure rating of the pipe can also be increased.
All aquatherm green fittings are compatible with fusiolen-based pipes, so welding work is identical to welding standard pipes and fittings.
SDR 9 PP-RP MF will be included in aquatherm’s green/lilac BRANZ appraisal, as well as aquatherm’s Watermark listing.
aquatherm was proud to support the 2016 New Zealand Plumbing Conference. The event was held in Rotorua last month and we had a stand at the exhibition and sponsored a high profile speaker.
At aquatherm we are passionate about helping our colleagues in the plumbing industry to achieve their business goals, so we brought Cecilia Robinson to the event to share some of the secrets to her success.
A high achiever in her field, Cecilia is an award-winning business woman who founded Au Pair Link and My Food Bag, one of the most talked about and fastest growing companies in New Zealand. We know the audience was honoured to hear her words of wisdom.binson to the event to share some of the secrets to her success.
It was a great conference, so thank you to Master Plumbers for putting it on, and a big congratulations to all the winners of the 2016 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.
The Christchurch Art Centre refurbishment is also an aquatherm project. The building dates back to the 1870s and was the former Canterbury University until they moved in 1975. College Hall, now known as the Great Hall and designed by Benjamin Mountford in 1882, has now been totally refurbished after the February 2011 earthquake to its former glory with completion not far off.
There are around 27 building projects to complete at the Art Centre with estimated costs of $290 million dollars set aside. The Great Hall is one of the jewels in the crown of this complex and requires a separate article about it.
From an aquatherm perspective, we were to provide an under floor heating product, designed by Nick Yannakis from Powell Fenwick, that could be inserted under the existing Kauri flooring that would not warp the timber when the heat comes on. aquatherm black was chosen as it can be laid between the existing floor joists and attached to aquatherm blue pipe as a flow and return pipe system set at 28oC with a manifold set up at the highest point which was under the existing stage in the hall.
Dave Morley and his team from Benmax installed all the aquatherm black underfloor heating and aquatherm blue pipe, and balanced the system to achieve an outcome that surpasses the normal UFH design.Builder: Fletcher Construction
Mechanical Consultant: Powell Fenwick
Mechanical Installer: Benmax
Products Used: aquatherm black used as an underfloor heating product. aquatherm blue MF used as a flow and return of hot water to the underfloor heating.
This ex WINZ building in Christchurch has been completely renovated through all levels to make it a modern five storey building with all the integrated technology you could ask for, for consultants Powell Fenwick, a Christchurch engineering consultancy that provides a complete range of engineering services with a major focus on environmentally sustainable design.
The building has been designed for retail tenants on the ground floor and office tenancies to the upper levels with space still available.
The building has fan coil units throughout the office floors that provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. This is a four pipe system to the fan coil units by Christchurch mechanical contractors David Browne using aquatherm blue pipe. The system runs off central air source heat pump /chiller plant situated on the roof and will be controlled by an integrated BMS system.
The hot and cold water installation is through Clyne Bennie Ltd and they are using aquatherm green pipe (MF) to the wingback for hot water and standard green pipe for cold water. The water is heated by hot water cylinders and a solar system on the roof. Again, this is all run off the integrated BMS system.
Project Builders: HRS Construction
Mechanical Design: Powell Fenwick
Mechanical Installers: David Browne Contractors
Plumbing Installers: Clyne & Bennie Ltd
Products Used:
aquatherm blue MF pipe for mechanical
aquatherm green S pipe for cold water plumbing
aquatherm green MF pipe for hot water plumbing
PP-R is durable and chemically inert, which help our systems perform better and last longer than other materials. Polypropylene was originally used for high-purity water and acid-waste systems because of its chemical purity and inertness. In other words, its used for highly reactive applications because it won’t react with most chemicals. aquatherm has taken that Read More…
With the successful ISO 14001 certification for environmental management in 2012, and the additional ISO 50001 for energy management in early 2013, aquatherm is committed above and beyond the legal requirements to maintain and protect the delicate balance of our environment. We are the only piping systems supplier in New Zealand which carries a product-specified type III Read More…
PP-R’s natural insulation properties for sound and heat provide efficiency and comfort benefits. This gives aquatherm systems a performance advantage which isn’t possible with other pipes. For sound, PP-R absorbs vibrations where metallic ones amplify them. Our systems don’t require vibration isolators, provided there is some limited mobility of the pipe on either side of the pump. Read More…
With the right implementation expertise, our systems perform even decades after installation. aquatherm is built from sustainable materials which outlast most other building systems. Our pipes won’t wear out, corrode or scale up. Our recyclable systems last for the life of the building they’re installed in. aquatherm’s PP-R is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water from its Read More…
Our systems are designed to perform in a variety of applications without failure. Polypropylene is one of the most reliable piping materials in the world, and our decades of research and engineering have made it even more dependable. With aquatherm, piping systems last for over 60 years with no scaling, rust, or chemical deterioration. The many Read More…
With lighter weights and faster, easier connections, our systems make installations simpler – and that means substantial reductions in cost. Not only are heat-fused connections fast, but they’re also flexible and strong. The joints don’t crack or leak and the pipe weighs 75% to 80% less than comparable metals. Installers can carry more with less Read More…
Up to date technical information available to both designers and installers
Technical ResourcesTechnical SupportFAQsAquatherm is moving to a new location! We will be closed from 12pm Friday 21st April 2023 and reopening at our new location in airpark Drive Wednesday 26th April, 8.30am. Note: No change to postal address. Our New Address is: Aquatherm NZ 1/17 Airpark Drive Mangere Auckland Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
The next generation of blue pipes with increased pressure resistance Durable, corrosion resistant, lightweight and robust pressure resistance at higher temperatures, these are the properties that aquatherm blue pipe MF RP combines. The pipe system made of Fusiolen PP-RCT is ideally suited for the demanding conditions of the HVAC market. Available in pressure ratings SDR9, Read More…
We have committed ourselves above and beyond the legal requirements to maintain and protect the delicate balance of our immediate environment. From production to installation to recycling, our systems are designed to impact the environment as little as possible.