The UK-based Durapipe, which has been at the forefront of thermoplastic pipework technology for over half a century, is focusing on promoting the benefits of using its innovative plastic pipework systems in the Gulf through the Big 5 forum.

The company will be putting the spotlight on its ABS, Vulcathene and petrol-line pipework systems which are suitable for a range of projects across the region, at this year’s event.
Durapipe UK has been supplying the Middle East with plastic pipework systems since 1965 when the demand was primarily for systems for oil exploration sites. Today, however, the company is seeing an increased number of specifications for hotels, commercial buildings, and public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, according to Martyn Rowlands, head of marketing for Durapipe UK.
Commenting on the regional market, Rowlands says: “The construction market in the Gulf in general and the UAE in particular, has undergone a huge change in recent years and is currently seeing an unprecedented rate of growth. The quality, on-time delivery and competitive pricing of construction products remains a focus for contractors as they strive to deliver for clients on major large-scale developments.
“On any construction project, budget and deadline are the two most frequently used words on construction sites and ultimately what every contractor is striving to meet and local representation ensures these challenges are met.”
The firm has a local presence within the UAE market place both via two active distributors and a Durapipe-employed specification manager.
Elaborating on the salient features of some of the products that will be promoted at the Big 5 show, he says: “Durapipe ABS and Vulcathene continue to be popular choices in the UAE marketplace. Durapipe ABS is used in chilled water applications for low temperature fluid transportation, as it remains extremely ductile even at temperatures as low as –40 deg C. It combines corrosion resistance, toughness and economic benefits to provide tremendous advantages for low temperature fluid transportation. ABS is a solvent welded, fully-matched pipework system incorporating pipe, fittings and valves that is available in both imperial and metric sizes and provides a wide temperature range. Furthermore, ABS is extremely lightweight and is much easier to handle on-site than traditional materials especially during installation which can significantly reduce both time and cost. Some of its typical application areas include chilled water, boosted cold water, potable water, low temperature cooling and de-mineralised water.
“Vulcathene is a purpose-designed chemical resistant plumbing system for laboratories in schools, universities, hospitals and clinics that provides total versatility for designers and installers of chemical waste systems. Tried, tested and proven, Vulcathene is the only industrial chemical drainage system to have withstood the test of time in the most demanding of laboratory applications. Two easy jointing methods – mechanical for demountable joints and electro-fusion for welded joints – provide total versatility for designers and installers of chemical waste systems. This product is extremely suitable for laboratories in educational institutions, hospitals and clinics and pharmaceutical companies.”
Meanwhile, the Durapipe Fuel Systems – which will also be promoted – are a complete range of dedicated fusion-welded pipework systems for the safe transfer of fuels. Suitable for use with leaded, unleaded petroleum, including ethanol rich alternative fuels (E85), diesel, bio-diesel and fuel oils, it represents a major innovation in pipework technology as it offers the ultimate in environmental protection with maximum protection against permeation and leak free joints, says the company. Durapipe Fuel Systems are fully compliant with the Institute of Petroleum Performance Specification – Issue 2 for underground pipe work systems. They are suitable for service station applications buried or ducted fuel and oil transfer lines oil fired equipment.
 “With tighter deadlines and stricter budgets, there is no room for error and in many cases contractors build in penalty clauses if projects are not finished on time so over-running is not an option. As a result, specifiers and contractors need to look at products that will save on labour time and costs during the installation stage to ensure they have the best possible chance of meeting those all important targets.
“When focusing on pipework, it is only over recent years that people working within the building services industry have begun to look at the installed cost of systems rather than purely the material price. This has been triggered, in many cases, by the rises in the material cost of traditional materials. For example, the material price of steel has risen considerably in recent years. Therefore, the difference in material costs of traditional systems compared with plastic alternatives is now minimal. As a result, we would urge specifiers and contractors to look beyond the initial material cost and consider the additional benefits plastics can offer during both the installation process and the maintenance period thereafter,” points out Rowlands.
Elaborating on the advantages of plastic pipework over metal systems, he says: “Engineered to offer the industry speed of installation and immediate total cost savings, plastic pipeworks can offer a range of benefits over metal systems. At half the weight of copper and one-sixth the weight of steel pipework, the lightweight construction of plastic makes it significantly easier to handle on site.
“Plastic systems also boast simple jointing techniques, with the majority being solvent-welded systems, which offer a quick and secure means of producing high-integrity welded joints that will remain leak-proof throughout the lifetime of the system. Combining these factors, plastic systems are a very attractive solution as they can offer savings on labour time and costs throughout the installation process.”
As part of its technical support service, Durapipe UK offers a cost comparison analysis to all specifiers and contractors considering plastic systems to demonstrate the exact installation time and cost for a specific job completed in plastic compared with a metal alternative. Several companies take advantage of this service as it means they can make an informed decision, as well as being able to clearly justify its decision to the end client, or in some instances, make a case for changing the original specification.
“While initially having considered plastic systems over the cost advantages of metal systems, contractors will be converted once they realise the full range of benefits that plastic systems can offer. Following the increase in the specification of plastic pipework systems over recent years, there is a growing usage of plastic in the building services sector in the Gulf. Once people have worked with plastics and experienced the benefits first hand, they’ll never look back,” concludes Rowlands.
Established in 1954 in West Drayton in the UK, Durapipe’s products are sold and used in a variety of different applications around the world. Through an international distribution network, the company has a substantial presence around the globe with a number of individual market leading brands. 
Durapipe will be exhibiting at Stand 2E54 at the Big 5 show.