Swiss sanitary solutions provider Geberit says that its SuperTube drainage system for high-rise buildings is now available for its highly sound-insulating Silent-db20 system, combining enhanced acoustic comfort with crucial space savings.

The system was previously offered for polyethylene (PE) drainage pipes.

Three new fittings are being added to the Geberit Silent-db20 high-insulation drainage system to create the SuperTube effect.

Composed of heavy, mineral-reinforced plastic, Geberit SuperTube for high-rise buildings is a hydraulically optimised drainage system that saves space.

Elaborating on the system, Heidi Owegeser, Product Manager International at Geberit, says: “Thanks to the optimised hydraulics, the waste water is converted into an annular flow with a column of air created in the centre of the stack. This means that ventilation pipes are no longer needed in the ducts.

“As the flow of water has also been optimised when the pipe changes direction, horizontal pipes measuring up to 6 m can be installed without the need for a slope. This results in thinner ducts and higher rooms.”

She points out that sound insulation requirements are very high in Europe, which means a quieter system is needed. “Globally, we are also seeing increasing demand for highly sound-insulated drainage systems, particularly in the luxury segment in international markets,” Owegeser adds.

Geberit now has the solution with Silent-db20 SuperTube. The proven highly sound-insulated system has been supplemented with the three Sovent, BottomTurn and BackFlip fittings for SuperTube functionality.

The Silent-db20 SuperTube was put through its paces in a test tower at the Geberit headquarters.

Higher weight, sound insulation ribs

“The high sound insulation is achieved through various measures,” she says. A decisive point is the higher inherent weight of Silent-db20, with the reinforced plastic ensuring a significant reduction in natural vibration. Another feature of the system is the special sound insulation ribs, which reduce noise development at the impact zones.

In order to test the actual acoustic effect, Geberit equipped a drainage tower with the system at its headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona in Switzerland and carried out more than 1,000 measurements in a range of different construction situations. “We can now take the know-how obtained and pass it on to the sanitary engineers,” says Owegeser.

The three fittings that achieved the SuperTube effect are:

• Geberit Silent-db20 Sovent: The fitting causes the incoming waste water from the floor to rotate in the stack, pressing it against the pipe wall. A stable column of air is created that enables a high drainage capacity;

• Geberit Silent-db20 BottomTurn: If there is a change in pipe direction, this bend converts the water from an annular flow into a layered flow without any interruptions. This redirection reduces the impulse loss significantly compared to conventional systems;

• Geberit Silent-db20 BackFlip: This bend has a twisted design and converts the layered flow back into a swirling annular flow. This means the column of air in the stack is maintained.

For the 28-storey Sobha Creek Vistas project, Geberit had to install a mock-up on site to demonstrate fully the single-stack system.

Geberit SuperTube technology made its UAE debut in the Sobha Creek Vistas development in Dubai. The 28-storey twin residential towers project, which was completed in 2022, is in Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City. For the project, Geberit had to install a mock-up on site to demonstrate fully the single-stack system.

 In the demo, water flowed through transparent pipes and the flow-optimised fittings at the speed at which it would do in the actual system. A clearly visible air column was formed inside the pipes, which allowed the Geberit team to give a textbook demonstration of the functionality of the SuperTube technology to all those present. While the system had to be cost-effective and reliable, space-saving also influenced the decision to go for Geberit SuperTube.

The project was originally planned with a conventional triple-stack solution including ventilation stacks. 

The globally operating Geberit Group, a European leader in the field of sanitary products, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. It operates with a strong local presence in most European countries, providing unique added value when it comes to sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics. The production network encompasses 26 production facilities, of which four are located overseas.

With around 11,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Geberit generated net sales of CHF3.1 billion ($3.6 billion) in 2024 (see also TechTalk, Page 78).