Viega’s Profipress press connection system has been utilised for the domestic hot and cold water systems for Urban Splash’s landmark Avro development in Manchester. Designed specifically for copper pipe, Profipress was selected to provide a safer, quicker and more reliable method of pipe connection.

Located canal-side in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Avro is a luxury 31 apartment development that consists of one to four bedroom loft-style homes. Avro is a careful redevelopment of Brownsfield Mill, one of Manchester’s last remaining Victorian mills and has been designed to retain many of the original features. Celebrating the area’s history, Avro takes its name from aviation manufacturer A.V. Roe and Co, which once occupied Brownsfield Mill and built iconic aircraft such as the Avro 504, Lancaster and Vulcan.

R.A.D. Mechanical Services Ltd. was contracted by Urban Splash Construct Ltd. to supply, install and commission the plumbing and mechanical services for the development. Viega’s Profipress system was chosen for the hot and cold water distribution system after R.A.D. Mechanical was introduced to the product on a separate project.

Mark Radcliffe, Managing Director at R.A.D. Mechanical Services Ltd explained: “Press connections offered a clear benefit in terms of fire safety, which is now essential on site, as no naked flames or heat are required. We looked at the options and were impressed by the technical demonstration we received of the Profipress product. It was clear how the design of the fittings would help us minimise the chance of leaks and issues with the pipework.”

Profipress features Viega’s SC-Contur technology that delivers a visible leak if the fitting is inadvertently left unpressed and is therefore clearly discernible during leakage testing or when the system is filled for the first time. This innovation provides a reliable method of detecting any issues early in the process to avoid costly and time consuming remedial work. In addition, the double-press profile in the fitting, both before and after the sealing element, creates a permanent connection that resists both longitudinal and torsional forces.

The Profipress system was developed for use with copper pipe and provides a significant time saving compared with soldering. The Profipress range includes more than 800 components from 12 to 108 mm diameter and every connection and component is certified safe for use with potable water. The flow-optimised connectors achieve excellent pressure loss co-efficients (zeta values) to help maintain the performance of the system.

On the Avro project, Viega also provided full on-site product training to ensure the R.A.D. Mechanical Services team were familiar with the product and tools and understood the installation process.

Mark added: “The feedback from everyone on site for both the Profipress product itself and the press tools has been very positive. The Viega Pressgun tools we used are compact and allowed access to tight areas.

“Overall, the installation teams were very pleased with the system and we will be using it again.”

Scott James, Managing Director at Viega concluded: “This project has demonstrated the enormous benefit of combining high-quality installation with a market leading connection system. Thanks to Mark and his team, the Avro development now has a safe, hygienic and reliable system of lifelines that will meet the demands of the building for years to come.”

To find out more about the Viega range, including the Profipress system visit www.viega.co.uk/presstechnology