Marine Equipment International’s (MEI’s) No Weld Press Fit Piping System has been installed on the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Manoora.
MEI says feedback received from Sofraco Engineering Systems, who installed the Press Fit copper nickel fire protection system on Manoora, was that there were considerable time savings gained from the installation of the Press Fit system.
The system eliminated the cost of downtime associated with waiting for hot work permits, allowed more effective work practices in right spaces, and required less deconstruction.
It was estimated that the Press Fit system took less than 55 per cent of the time taken to install a welded system.
The Press Fit system also significantly reduced the hazards generally associated with hot work involved in welded systems.
Risk reduction included the absence of gas lines within the vessel, less chance of damage to existing infrastructure, and less fire risk.
MEI says people have tended to view copper nickel as a high-cost, high-quality solution for salt water applications.
But the company says the introduction of the No Weld Press Fit system has significantly reduced the labour cost and overall cost of using copper nickel, making it comparable to other lower quality alternatives, especially for salt water applications.
MEI recommends the use of copper nickel 90/10 Press Fit for salt water systems and stainless steel 316L Press Fit for fresh water systems in marine applications.
MEI’s Press Fit system is approved by the major classification societies, such as DNV, LR, BV, GL and ABS, for both copper nickel 90/10 Press Fit and SS 316L Press Fit.
The system is shock and vibration rated to military standards, and fire tested and witnessed by classification societies.
The applications include potable water, hot or cold water, compressed air, sprinkler systems, fuels and oils (in most compartments).
Press Fit piping has a maximum diameter of four inches and a working pressure limited to 1,600 kPa for marine applications.
Burst pressures are significantly higher.
The working temperature range is limited to 95°C.