Application of PUF pipes in the construction of residential buildings
Pipes in a PUF shell were developed by German scientists as early as in the 1930s. In the first version, the pipe space was filled with rigid plastic foam based on polyurethane foam. A little later they managed to reduce the production costs by using polyesters. First heat networks assembled from PUF pipes were commissioned in Western Europe in the 1970s. In Russia, PUF pipes started to be widely used in the early 2000s. GOST standards were developed at the same time, and a few years later the production was started based on Russian designs.
Before PUF pipes were implemented, heat networks had been insulated using the blanket method: pipes had been wrapped in sheets of mineral wool and strapped with wire. Mineral wool is susceptible to moisture and loses more heat. Besides, wrapping thin pipes is quite difficult.
Liquid thermal insulation was commonly used in the form of paint, foam or ceramic applied on pipes and acting as a thermos bottle. The paint is environmentally friendly, resistant to condensation, exposure to high temperatures and corrosion.
The main benefits of PUF pipes as compared to alternatives:
- Ease of installation. Pipelines are assembled using prefabricated elements, no need to apply additional layers of insulation. Reduced time of installation
- Water absorption, resistance to condensation and corrosion
- Underground laying possible
- Durability of the structure, ease of maintenance. Using an RRCS (rapid remote control system) allows to eliminate failures locally and in minimum time
- Resistance to damages due to the extra shell made of polyethylene or galvanized steel
- Low thermal conductivity factor. Compared to standard pipes with mineral wool insulation, heat losses are reduced by a factor of 10 to 12
Where are PUF pipes used in house construction?
Today PUF pipes are used both for laying new water supply mains and for replacing obsolete pipelines. The products are also becoming widespread in the arrangement of utilities in:
- Apartment buildings
- Housing communities
- Townhouses
- Hotel complexes
- Social facilities (sport complexes, swimming pools)
- Office buildings
Using PUF pipes in the design of water supply and wastewater disposal systems of apartment buildings improves the heating system efficiency and ensures savings in maintenance and upkeep. Pipes in PUF insulation are used for building any type of utilities: sewage, drains, heating systems. Besides disposal systems, PUF pipes are used to supply residential buildings with potable water, heating and hot water.