Reliable performance aids regeneration scheme

A large-scale development at Firepool Lock, Taunton, has benefited from the Marley Akatherm HDPE Drainage system, as well as the company’s experienced technical department.

The system was specified for its durable and reliable performance properties, as well as being a suitable replacement for cast iron, ideal for the previous brownfield site which will now host residential accommodation, commercial and hospitality space.

Started in summer 2010 and completed in Spring 2012, the extensive project by main contractors MIDAS Group, saw the development of a brownfield site into two residential blocks of flats, vast office space, bars and restaurants, open landscape as well as a multi-storey car park. Of the total housing units available, 20 percent were provided as affordable housing by Knightstone.

The combination of the excellent material properties of HDPE with homogenous welded joints provides greater installation flexibility with a wide range of jointing options. This ensures a quick, clean, reliable and cost effective installation, compared to cast iron in particular. Furthermore, the lightweight construction of the HDPE system results in additional cost savings in transport and handling.

Plumbing contractor Heat Radiation and project architect Andrew Smith Architects from Totnes, South Devon, sought expert advice from Marley’s technical department to re-design the original soil and waste system layout to optimum efficiency. The particular challenge was the number of floors; six required within the design against the height; 27 metres of soil stack and falls.

The final design incorporated HDPE 110mm and 160mm soil and waste pipe installed externally and suspended from the soffit roof of the car park. From there it is connected to a standard 110mm and 160mm soil and waste pipe internally, providing a lightweight solution that has high impact and thermal resistance as well as being recyclable. Additionally, the 110mm HDPE pipe was also being used for the internal rainwater systems on the soffit of the car park, carrying surface water from the roof areas internally through the building structure to join the underground drainage channels.

Marley Akatherm HDPE is manufactured to meet high standards of durability and reliability, offering an alternative solution to cast iron. It is particularly suited for commercial applications or where a product with high impact or abrasion resistance is required, such as hospitals, hotels, schools, as well as residential buildings. HDPE will also cope with temperature variations of -40°C to 100°C making it ideal for external as well as internal installations.

Marley Plumbing and Drainage is the only UK supplier to achieve Kitemark certification to BS EN 1519. The Marley Akatherm HDPE Drainage system received the certificate, licence number KM 545820, in August 2011.

Gibbs Plumbing Supplies LTD supplied the HDPE products and Eric Gibbs [Owner] explains: “We are a supplier of Marley Plumbing and Drainage and have been for a long time, due to the extremely high quality performing and cost effective products. The properties of the HDPE system in particular, help to increase the overall product lifecycle expectancy and reduce maintenance and replacement costs across the system.

“Not only this though, the company also offers a dedicated technical department and specialist fabrication service able to provide pre-fabricated stacks, which can be of real value to customers, eliminating installation time on site, particularly on larger projects.”