Riser pipelines for heating, cooling and water supply expand and contract in line with fluctuations in the temperature, which affects the length of the pipe. In fixed building technology systems, changes in pipe length may place an additional strain on the system. This may result in metal fatigue and damage to the pipes. The risk can be eliminated by compensating for pipe expansion with the use of expansion joints.
Expansion joints are required in buildings that have more than four storeys. Particularly in a riser system’s horizontal pipes for individual floors, vertical expansion cannot be compensated for in taller buildings. Often, expansion joints are also required for horizontal pipes in buildings with a large floor area.
You can extend your pipe system’s service life by paying attention to the control of thermal expansion
’Compensation for thermal expansion of pipes is a detail that is relatively simple to carry out in HEPAC design and pays for itself in the form of durable pipes.’
– Osmo Vallittu, Product Manager, Sejo Oy
Because the pipelines in the original plans may have to be changed during construction, very detailed plans for expansion joints should not be prepared. The designer only needs to record in the plan that thermal expansion will be compensated for with expansion joints and deliver thermal calculations to the worksite manager.
Matters that need to be taken into account in the design and installation of a durable system:
- Location of expansion joints
- Pipe fixed points
- Pipe guides
- Pre-tensioning of expansion joints
REDI’s Majakka: The thermal expansion of pipes is controlled with Sejo’s expansion joints
Tower blocks represent a relatively new building type in Finland. In new buildings, the goal is to use the available space as efficiently as possible and therefore the size of the riser shafts is also minimised. Because of this, the thermal expansion of risers must be factored in at the early stages of design of high-rise buildings.
Finland’s tallest residential building, REDI’s Majakka, located in Kalasatama, Helsinki, reaches a height of 134 metres. Zone design was applied to the design of this 35-storey high-rise building. Under this model, water supply pipes and heating and cooling systems were divided into five-storey zones.
Majakka’s riser pipelines are equipped with Sejo’s expansion joints and fixed points, which help control thermal expansion.
Extensive product range and expertise in thermal expansion calculations from Sejo
Sejo offers all the expansion joints, fixed points and pipe guides you need. Our range of pipe materials and surfacing options is extensive, enabling you to build diverse systems. When necessary, we can customise your system from start to finish.
Sejo’s experts have extensive experience in the use and design of expansion joints, fixed points and pipe guides. They can recommend the best products for your application. Sejo can also help you with calculation and design work.