Polypipe is number one at Old Trafford

The £72m No1 Old Trafford development consists of two towers, 15 and 18 storeys, across 214,000 sq ft on the waterfront at Trafford Park. The towers are made up of 354 apartments including six penthouses. The area around the site is already extensively developed so space was at a premium for Aberla M&E, who decided to use Polypipe’s Advantage Service. Polypipe Advantage offsite fabrication service brings together manufacturing process, project management and logistics methods to provide M&E contractors with a simple, transparent production-based approach that helps to achieve project productivity targets.

Using the Advantage service, Aberla opted for three market-leading Polypipe products: Terrain FUZE, Terrain PVC and MecFlow, their award-winning water supply system. The building program required a fast and reliable install to which MecFlow supports due to the innovative CLICKWELD technology that combines all the benefits of an electrofusion weld with clip connections to reduce on-site installation time, reduce risk and overall cost. The ease of install of the MecFlow system also allowed skilled labour to be freed up to work in other crucial areas such as the plant room. This technology helps to save M&E contractors and project managers up to 75% of on-site install time on complex water supply systems when compared to traditional installation methods. To save time and space on site MecFlow components are supplied to the project site as a complete kit for quick assembly and connected in position. The use of clip connections removes the need for clamping and allows for repositioning before the final welding is applied. Terrain FUZE is the high performance, modern drainage system used on a wide range of prestigious commercial buildings. It is manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) so has strong abrasion, chemical and temperature resistance. HDPE was specifically used in the in lower levels to avoid the risk of leaks with homogenous welding in the commercial and communal spaces such as the reception area.

Dan Watchorn, Aberla’s Project Manager, said: “Working with Polypipe Building Services is always a pleasure. From initial design meetings through to installation. “This was the first project we have installed MecFlow and we have already specified to use on our next upcoming projects. “The speed and ease which it went in was great and we can confirm there were no failed joints throughout the full works.

Johnathan Greenwood, Strategic Project Manager at Polypipe Building Services, said: “We were very excited to work on this project as it was one of the first to use our award-winning MecFlow system and is part of such a major development in Manchester. “We are very pleased with all the positive feedback that our Advantage Service and market-leading products have received and look forward to working with Aberla on future projects.”