Multi-dwelling unit in Vreden

The four high-quality apartments in the multi-dwelling unit in Vreden, which account for over 300 m² in living space, are heated using the Uponor self-attaching floor heating system, as is the stairwell. In addition, the composite pipes for the drinking water and heating were also quickly connected using Uponor’s RTM fitting technology, without any tools and without any manual press work. Renate Terbrack, the builder, was especially impressed by the high quality and speedy installation using the Uponor products. This also meant that the apartments could be presented to the first interested buyers after a construction time of just four months. The company installing the sanitary, heating and cooling systems – Sicking Energie-Technik GmbH – had no previous experience with the RTM fittings and their integrated press function. Ulrich Schubert, the Uponor area manager, gave some brief instructions on site to tradesman Carsten Schemmick and apprentice Stefan Terbrack so that they were able to start with the installation immediately. They were able to complete the drinking water installation and connection to the heating system in just five days. The advantages of RTM technology became quite clear, especially regarding the front wall installation. There is generally little space for using a pressing machine in such installations. For example, the connection often has to be pressed before installation when establishing the connection to the cistern using a conventional pressing system. This means that it is no longer possible to make corrections and adaptations. Using RTM fittings, the composite pipes are directly pressed into the front wall. In this multi-dwelling unit, 150 fittings were used to connect up the various usage points. For the drinking water installation, 16 mm x 2 mm up to 32 mm x 3 mm composite pipes were installed, while 16 mm x 2 mm up to 32 mm x 2 mm composite pipes were fitted for the connections to the heating system, without having to use any heavy pressing equipment or jaws. The pipe is connected using RTM fitting technology in just three work steps: cutting, calibrating and pressing. When inserting the composite pipe in the fitting, the pre-tensioned, coloured safety pin is released with a click that can be easily heard, clearly indicating that the pipe had been permanently and reliably connected. The released safety pin can be clearly identified through the 360° window. The memory effect of the press ring functions like a pressing tool integrated in the fitting. Just like the RTM fittings, the Uponor self-attaching system also saved these technicians a lot of time. Thanks to the self-attaching technology, three technicians were able to install the floor heating in just three days – quickly, flexibly and without requiring any special tools. In the factory, self-attaching tape is wound around the pipe in a spiral form. The surface of the self-attaching insulating boards is completely covered with an adhesive film; the installation pattern is also printed on these boards. The Uponor self-attaching system can be simply installed by one technician: The insulating boards are unrolled, the board joints are glued, and the pipe is unrolled and pressed onto the boards by applying slight pressure with the foot. The self-attaching tape on the pipes then locks together with the adhesive film on the boards, instantly fastening the pipes. Special installation and retaining tools are not required. Further, the pipe position can be easily corrected, without damaging the insulating boards, for example, by staples. Even after a correction, the self-attaching pipe and the adhesive film are firmly connected with one another, even if the insulating boards are dirty. The craftsmen installed 390 m² of panel heating with 36 heating circuits in each apartment. The craftsmen installed the Upono