New to the UK market is the flow-optimised SuperTube system from Geberit
Geberit’s SuperTube flow-optimised hydraulic drainage system for high-rise buildings offers simple planning and installation whilst saving around 35 per cent of the space allocated for a parallel vented dual stack system.
The system combines the existing 12 l/s flow-optimised HDPE Geberit Sovent (d110) with two new bends – BottomTurn and BackFlip – which remove the need for a vent pipe by generating a constant air stream through intelligent design.
The combined single stack system enables pipework with a smaller, consistent diameter of d110 and a maximum discharge capacity of 12 l/s. It also allows horizontal pipelines of up to six metres without slopes, thanks to the design of the BottomTurn bend which reduces impulse losses during transition from the vertical to horizontal.
SuperTube also offers simple planning and installation, with a full planning service including construction plans, easy calculations, complete package of products and ancillaries, and even on-site training and inspections.
Generating project savings
Geberit SuperTube is already installed worldwide, where it has demonstrated its potential to significantly cut project costs. In one successful installation in Egypt, contractors calculated more than £1million (€1.1million) in extra potential sales revenue, made possible by reducing the space needed behind the wall to maximise the saleable floor and living space over 23 floors.
In this example, Supertube used around 50 per cent of the space originally allocated for a triple stack system in a prestigious development comprising a large residential tower and hotel. Whilst this particular system is not common in the UK, significant space and cost savings are still achievable by removing the need for a vent pipe.
Greg Austin, assistant product manager for drainage at Geberit, said: “Figures from New London Architecture (NLA) show that there are 541 tall buildings (over 20 storeys) planned in the capital and 90 per cent of those are residential, delivering an estimated 110,000 new homes in London alone. It is vital therefore that contractors are installing the right building services solutions to maximise the potential of these buildings, both for developers and for their purchasers.
“Geberit SuperTube is a space-gaining system which is single-handedly driving the evolution of optimised hydraulic draining systems by unlocking valuable building space to save time and money. In fact, it offers potential space savings of up to 20% in the duct and 40% in the ceiling void, maximising the saleable or rental space available.
“We’re working with consultants and architects to showcase the potential savings, but the real benefit for contractors is in the level of support available from start to finish, thanks to our expert Specification Support and technical teams. It means easier planning and installation of a system which can save installation time, save space and deliver advantages for the customer.”
