Durapipe UK has called for plastics manufacturers and suppliers to better educate contractors and consultants, after new research has revealed the building services industry is mistaken about the performance capabilities of plastic pipework products.

In its latest industry insight research, Durapipe uncovered that all of the contractors, consultants and end clients questioned had inaccurate information about the performance of plastic pipework systems, with 56 per cent believing that they are not suitable for conveying fluids at high temperatures.

While there are some plastics that should not be used for transporting fluids at elevated temperatures, both C-PVC and polypropylene are perfectly suitable, with C-PVC able to safely convey substances up to 95°C and polypropylene designed to withstand temperatures of up to 100°C.

57 per cent of those questioned also perceived plastics to be a high maintenance solution, when in reality, plastic pipe systems require less maintenance than traditional materials such as copper and steel. The smooth bore of plastic pipe systems resists attack from limescale and corrosion, ensuring optimum flow efficiencies through the pipe over the lifetime of the system, and requiring minimal maintenance and repair work.

There were also misconceptions regarding the characteristics of plastic materials, with 54 per cent of respondents citing that they believed plastics have low impact resistance. Meanwhile, more than a quarter (28 per cent) understood plastic to be a soft and brittle material. ABS is in fact an extremely tough material that provides very high impact resistance and remains ductile even at temperatures as low as -40°C.

Commenting on its latest research, Durapipe’s building services brand manager, Des Dolan, said: “It is worrying to see how many contractors, consultants and end users are mistaken about all aspects of plastic pipe systems. There is a common misconception that all plastics are the same, when in fact there are various plastic materials that all have very different properties.”

Durapipe has questioned more than 500 contractors, consultants and end users to gain an insight into knowledge and usage of plastic pipework systems for industrial applications.

A leading manufacturer of plastic pipework solutions, Durapipe UK has seen its systems successfully installed for building services and industrial applications in projects worldwide for more than 60 years.