Plumbing Africa April 2019 | Page 33

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS 31 << Continued from page 29 The siphonic system can use 100% of the selected pipe size, which again affects the required pipe sizes needed. Valsir only has one model of siphonic system that can be used in various applications. Further, he discussed the need for design and 3D modelling systems as a call to industry requirements, and correct flow rate calculations through such software and integration with other software programs. Also, the correct process of installing products, the correct number of brackets and where they should be spaced, as an example, so that when on site, the plumber will have all the requirements exactly set out. Casper Maree, technical manager of Valsir-Uneeq SA, spoke on the engineering perspective of the Ventilation Branch Fitting (VBF) products and single-stack designs, which are capable of removing double-stack installations. The capability of this includes handling multiple systems connected to the one stack, which is a large cost saving for any project. Continuing through the Valsir products, the Blackfire product range is a newcomer and was officially launched at ISH 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany. From left: Karen Robyn (Duravit), LeRoux Seegers (Waterways), and Dorianne Isaacman (Valsir). Attendees were demonstrated to the quality and testing of the Valsir product range, followed by a question and answer session fielded by the team. In closing, winners to the evening draw were selected and presented with their prizes, followed by a networking opportunity and some eats. BLACKFIRE LAUNCH AT ISH 2019 Speaking to Gruppi in Frankfurt at the ISH show, the Blackfire range is a three-layer polypropylene range, ranging between 32mm and 160mm. It is a push-fit system, which means that there is no need for any welding or welding machines on site. “The pipe is black because it contains carbon black, which is a UV stabiliser. This means this range can also be used outside when exposed to UV rays,” Gruppi said. The system comes complete as the entire range with all the fittings. The system is also designed to be used with a singe stack for high- rise buildings, making this product the fifth major in the Valsir range, along with Triplus, Selera, PP3, and HDPE. Casper Maree presenting the Valsir VBF system. www.plumbingafrica.co.za Tommaso Gruppi at ISH 2019. Blackfire is different from the other brands for two reasons: the first is that it is a B1 fire-rated pipe, meaning that within 20 seconds, it will stop burning; and secondly, and importantly, it is the first three- layer pipe to be developed with this certification. The pipe is black on the outside but white on its inside, as the white colour makes video inspection much easier. The pipe was designed specifically for high-rise buildings as a mechanism to stop fires spreading to other floors. It also couples with a fire- stop collar. So, when there is a fire, after a certain time, the pipe will melt and the collar will close, stopping the path of the fire through the pipe system. This system is essentially for markets where fire safety is very sensitive and also for general safety in multistorey buildings. “At Valsir, we give a lot of opportunities to our customers, the consultants, and the engineers to select what is most suited for their application, because not all applications are the same. What is great about our products is that each range can be used with another, essentially being able to mix the systems. You can custom-fit your solution with exactly what you need in an efficient way,” Gruppi concluded on the ISH stand. PA April 2019 Volume 25 I Number 2