Braze free pipe jointing is becoming increasingly popular. The plumbing and heating industry has led the way with various systems including Geberit Mapress, is Air Conditioning and Refrigeration following suit?

Key industry influences including major air conditioning manufacturers and trade associations are now recognizing braze free pipe jointing as an acceptable, and in some cases a preferable method.

BRA (British Refrigeration Association) and IOR (Institute of Refrigeration) have recently updated their ‘Guide to Good Practice’ to include the following clause:

‘’Section 4.5.5: Copper - Types of Joints. Mechanical/Compression Joints: Since the original publication of this document, a number of brazeless connection systems have become available on the market. These are becoming more widely accepted as an alternative to brazing, particularly in locations where hot works is prohibited.’’ 

Joanna Turpin of ACHR news explored this theme recently in her article in the American HVAC industry news forum:

“Consider that refrigeration piping used to be all brazed joints, and highly skilled refrigeration mechanics were needed to install it. After World War II, there was a huge demand for homes, air conditioning, etc., and the workforce could not meet the demand. As a result, manufacturers introduced quick-connect fittings so other mechanical trades could install their equipment with little or no training.”

Last month, AREA published the European trade association publication on flammable A2L and A3 refrigerants. (AREA is ‘The Voice of European Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heat Pump Contractors’)

On page 7 of 8 under the higher flammable A3 refrigerant section, the following statement is made in relation to recommended procedure for recovery of HC refrigerants –

  • Un-braze or cut connections and complete the service operation
  • Braze back or, better still, use mechanical/compression joint tool and connectors

 

You can see, in new 2016 trade publications, braze-free fittings are getting more and more mentioned. Many trade organisations are now feeling more confident to recommend alternative permanent mechanical jointing methods. AREA seem to have gone one step further and are saying "better still" use compression joints for high risk A3 refrigerant situations where it is essential leakage should be minimised.

If you are looking for braze free solutions consider ZoomLock; this product was tested in the US in 2010 and is approved and in use there. It’s been tested and its performance confirmed by BSRIA (Report 59518), and is now available in the UK via Greenmill.

This product makes joining of copper pipes simple, clean, and fast whilst removing operational hassles and costs associated with hot works.

Contact me for further details or if you would like an invite to the test drive events in June.

Tod Harvey

ZoomLock Product Manager