The use of pre-formed boxings and casings for concealing pipework on social housing refurbishment projects has gradually overtaken the time intensive procedure of fabricating individual boxing on site to become the preferred solution for most social landlords and contractors. To meet this need, the Pendock Profiles range is arguably the most comprehensive available.
Traditional methods of covering surface mounted heating system and boiler pipework typically involved the fabrication of boxing from wood or MDF. To create the required shape, the raw materials need to be cut to length then fixed to the wall, as well as sanding, sealing, priming, and painting sealing, all of which are extremely time consuming and costly, especially in terms of labour.
Although the most obvious advantage of using ready-made plywood boxing are the significant reductions in time and cost that can be achieved, aesthetics also play a role in decisions to adopt ‘pre-made’ over ‘site-made’.
Improved finish in less time
As pre-formed boxing is curved to form a smooth ‘L’ shaped profile, so there are no sharp corners, joints along or untidy overlapping edges along their length, as can often be the case with site fabricated alternatives.
A further benefit of pre-formed boxing is due to the wide ranges of sizes available, which means that the correct profiles can be selected to meet the project dimensions, so they will fit more closely over the pipework. This helps minimise the intrusion and visual impact in flats, where skirting level heating pipework or high level fire sprinkler systems are being concealed.
The choice of sizes not only increases versatility, but also enables a consistent finish to be achieved in each individual flat, even where different styles or size of profile are installed. This becomes more important where multiple blocks of flats are being refurbished, as each one will have the same continuity of finish, which is much more difficult to accomplish with site made boxing.
In addition, all plywood profiles are pre-finished with a white resin impregnated décor paper, as standard, which removes the need for painting on site, saving even more time and further improving consistency of finish.
Expanded boxing range
The latest product in the range is Pendock’s MXV boxing, which is designed specifically to conceal flexible ducting used with Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems. MXV, like TK pipe boxing, MXF fire sprinkler boxing and BC boiler casings, is manufactured from UKTR compliant pre-formed plywood.
The TK pipe boxing range is designed primarily for use at skirting level and incorporates a 115-degree angle to the top of the profile, enabling it to ‘blend-in’ to the skirting and help it avoid being used as a step. A 3-sided version, the TKD, is also available, for mid-wall or vertical use, which incorporates the 115 degree angle on both sides of the profile.
BC boiler pipe casings offer a simple method of hiding unsightly boiler pipework, valves, filters and flues, while also allowing easy access for gas safety checks, routine inspection or boiler maintenance.
Bespoke metal pipe boxing
Where exterior pipework needs protecting and concealing, the CHM and MXM metal pipe boxing range has been engineered to enclose building services and other utilities. Bespoke manufactured to individual project specifications from 2mm aluminium, as standard, metal boxing is used widely for concealing external pipework used in low carbon district heating schemes, as well as air-source and ground-source heat pumps.
Fire sprinkler supply pipework, mounted in open balconies or externally to flats, are also covered using metal pipe boxing to provide added security and weather resistance. Also, as it is non-combustible, it is used in high rise residential blocks to conceal interior runs of pipework where no sprinkler heads are present, such as communal areas.
Details on the full Pendock Profiles family can be found on the company’s website along with downloadable drawings in PDF and DWG format, plus NBS specification clauses.
