Sage project sees the wisdom of copper pipework

Copper pipework with integral solder-ring fittings (ISR) has been used extensively throughout the new £60 million office building of software company Sage Group at Gosforth, Newcastle, despite an original intention to use steel fittings in some areas of the building The decision to use only Yorkshire potable USR fittings followed their specification by mechanical-services consultant Cundall Johnson Partners. Paul Dixon, area sales manager for Yorkshire Fittings, says, ‘Some 250 000 Yorkshire integral solder-ring fittings were used on this project.’ The scale of the project presented M&E contractor Balfour Kilpatrick with the task of co-ordinating up to 160 M&E installers, including 80 plumbers and fitters, at any one time. Bill Stott, project manager with Balfour Kilpatrick, commented, ‘The installation was made much easier by working with copper throughout and by using a highly experience M&E team. By specifying Yorkshire integral solder-ring fittings and using more copper, we kept with traditionally reliable fittings, as well as needing fewer adapters and reducing our costs.’