Press fittings vs. Threaded/Butt Weld Fittings 1

[JezFullham]

Hello,

I am just wondering, as I looked through some interesting global statistics. What I found interesting that in Europe Pressfittings' market share of being installed at chemical plants etc. are higher than butt weld fittings and threaded fittings. In the United States however, press fittings do not seem to be so popular at all. What is the reason for this?

Best regards,
JF

 

[XL83NL]

What I found interesting that in Europe Pressfittings' market share of being installed at chemical plants etc. are higher than butt weld fittings and threaded fittings

Interesting. Do you have a source or reference for that?

 

[Cwsmith35]

Assuming we're talking about the same thing, which are fittings installed with a simple press system, I thought press fittings were only intended for plumbing and HVAC. Again, if we're talking about the same type of fitting, why would anyone use these in a critical application like chemical plants?

MSI Supply, Inc.

http://www.msisupply.com

 

[moltenmetal]

That statistic is impossible to believe in the context of chemical plants. It is, however, possible to believe if you look at the total number of each kind of fitting sold. There are so many more miles of HVAC and plumbing piping in buildings than there are in chemical plants in total that any plumbing-type fitting is going to be dominant.

We've used Victaulic's Pressfit system, which was their previous version to their current Vic-Press system, which is their small-bore alternative to the conventional roll-grooved Victaulic product we're already happily using for 3" NPS and larger utility lines. In our factory environment, we've found that the labour productivity of installing threaded pipe isn't far off what it takes to use the pressfit system, and gives the advantage of permitting modification or re-work without resorting to using a saw. The fittings are vastly cheaper and they stack up shorter, saving space. And the way Pressfit was doing valves was idiotic- they'd take a $20 socket welding valve, add two plain end pipe nipples to it and sell it for $100...not a good value proposition relative to using the same valve with threaded ends. So, we used it on exactly one project and then never used it again. I can see the appeal of a potentially cold-work solution to running Category D utilities piping in an operating plant facility. And if someone gives you the option of using Pressfit instead of butt-welding small bore piping, it would be worth doing- but the two systems are nowhere nearly equivalent in terms of integrity or hazard class.

 

[EuroHamilton]

Most of the stuff I use is press fit and I can't say I've ever had issues.

EuroHamilton

 

[bimr]

Three years ago, the attached article noted that press had only 12% of market share:

"Press currently makes up nearly 12% of the copper fitting market, and that number is expected to rise with contractor education and training." 02-28-2013

http://mechanical-hub.com/press-credential-rems

That probably would be 12% market share of the commercial market, not industrial market.

Considering the limited available options for press materials and the competitive products to press (plastic pipe, no-hub, etc.) the posters statement is not credible.

 

[JezFullham]

Okay I need to provide apologies. I was looking at the total number of installed figures, not by industry. However, I personally have been in the market for projects in North America and Europe regarding chemical plants, also plants that need to be FDA approval (Painful). And I noticed that press fittings are just more popular in Britain and Germany when compared to the US. Also for larger size pipe 108,0mm +, very often stainless steel press fittings are considered in Germany. I am a big fan of press fittings in particular of 316L, however also see the limitations.

Thank you for your views. Pretty interesting !