Cold-press technology makes installation safer

Did you know hot works accounted for 16% of all fires in buildings under construction? That’s 309 fires caused by this type of work in 2021. That’s 309 too many.

It’s undoubtedly costly to the industry, insurance expert Zurich estimated that over the course of a decade, hot works fires resulted in total losses of about £69.8 million in the UK.

In light of this, maybe we should confront our own habits and ways of working? Is it time we looked inwards at our own methods to see how we can reduce the risk of fire?

Pass on the permits

When it comes to hot works, there is guidance available for contractors . Namely from the Health & Safety Executive and BS 9999. These outline the procedures contractors must adhere to with the aim of protecting workers and preventing fires.

This includes creating a risk-free working environment, assessing any potential dangers, and drafting a hotworks permit before work commences. Creating the document takes time and a degree of knowledge on how to approach and write one, which not everyone will have ready access to.

These are necessities to create a safe work environment , and if you’ve worked with soldering and welding for most of your career then you’re well accustomed to it.

But did you know in the very same hot works guidance, BS 9999 recommends “hot work should only be undertaken if no satisfactory alternative method is feasible”?

Pressing for a change

Press connections, as an alternative, have been in the market for several decades. In the last few years, we’ve seen a shift within larger contractors to move away from hot works where possible and re-skill in press technology.

The advantages on a larger scale are significant, from removing the administrative paperwork for hot work permits, through to upwards of an 80% installation time saving with press versus traditional methods.

Combined with the additional health benefits of removing solder from ever entering a closed water system, it’s clear why housebuilders and commercial contractors are making the move.

This isn’t to say there’s a clear right way and wrong way. Ours is an industry full of skilled worked who have perfected their craft over the years.

There is still a demand for hot works, but I would consider whether there is a different way which is safer, faster, and more suitable - especially for high-rise and commercial premises.

It might seem all a touch too ‘health and safety’ but when we’re all working towards the goal of safer and secure construction, maybe it’s time to try something different.