In profile - Pendock pipe boxing.

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.

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.

While the most obvious and persuasive advantages of using ready-made plywood boxing are the significant reductions in time and costs that can be achieved, aesthetics also play an increasingly large role in the decision to adopt ‘pre-made’ over ‘site-made’.

MXM metal boxing at Phoenix Point

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.

Another advantage of pre-fromed boxing, is that, due to the wide ranges of sizes available, the correct profiles can be selected to meet the dimensions needed for the project, 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 profile styles or sizes 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.

MX pre-formed plywood 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.

The Pendock Profiles range of specialist casings is already a common feature in countless projects across the UK including heating system refurbishments, boiler upgrades and retro-fit fire sprinkler system installation.

TK pre-formed plywood boxing

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.

CHM metal boxing, Camden

Bespoke metal 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 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.

www.pendock.co.uk

Images © Pendock