AVK, the leading supplier of valves, hydrants, pipe-fittings and accessories, is seeing unprecedented interest from the utilities sector following the No Dig Live launch of its new water mains-to-meter range, AVK Pentoflow. AVK head of UK marketing, Kieran Fitzpatrick, says the success proves “AVK Pentoflow is the solution to a number of problems that utilities and developers have put up with for too long: Through-life cost, resistance to damage on-site and durability when installed. Addressing all these issues shows AVK to be the one stop shop for the entire mains-to-meter range.”
The AVK Pentoflow range of five products is constructed of durable materials, delivering leading edge boundary boxes, PE mechanical and push-fit connections, stop taps and ferrules.
Developed with Totex in mind
By aligning itself with utility companies’ and contractors’ growing focus on Totex driven requirements for a mains-to-meter range, the design has reduced installation time, maintenance and operation well below that of existing ranges. AVK is now running trials for key utility customers and discussing considerable advantages and value incentives available to largescale developments and projects.
“The launch at No Dig Live prompted a huge reaction from utilities, contractors and self-lay companies concerned with Totex in every aspect of their businesses. Our products have been designed to address that,” explains Fitzpatrick. “By delivering what we believe is the most durable range on the market we’re told we’ve struck the right note, because a higher standard of product will deliver greater through-life value.”
Developed for durability
AVK believe that the durability of the AVK Pentoflow range is key to the products’ success. Investment has been made in design and materials to deliver better made, longer-lasting and easier to install products.
As Kieran Fitzpatrick says: “Seeing contractors get their hands on the products and understanding how AVK Pentoflow range really takes mains-to-meter a giant leap forward is very gratifying.”
The range includes the class-leading AVK Pentobox, a meter boundary box with a composite Grade B Surface box tested to fully withstand an 8 tonne load, whether installed in the driveway, on the crossover or wherever there is the risk of damage; it will still allow AMR signals to pass uninterrupted.
The AVK Pentopush push-fit connection design has stronger but smaller construction and so will readily marry with existing and old pipework, reducing the cost of retrofit and expansion of pipe works.
On-site robustness means no more contingency/replacement budgets
The cost-saving advantage begins as soon as the AVK Pentoflow range is delivered to site because the AVK Pentoflow range is not susceptible to the damage other less long-lasting products suffer. This means the contractor no longer has to replace boundary boxes and fittings even before they have been fully installed.
For example, the guard pipe is polypropylene, not a brittle material such as fibre glass seen in other pipes, so it can withstand the rigours of the construction site for prolonged periods.
One contractor has reported to AVK that up to 50% of its installed mains-to-meter products were being replaced even before the development was finished, due to inferior products being unable to withstand everyday wear on-site.
This, plus the fact the AVK Pentoflow range is designed for ease of installation, results in major savings. Fitzpatrick calls AVK Pentoflow a ‘real world’ solution. “It is vitally important that key mains-to-meter products are built to withstand the wear and tear of the building site. This means we can say goodbye to contingency budgets needed to replace damaged products even before they’re fully installed.
“The knock-on benefit of that is contractors can put in more competitive bids.”
On testing the products, one self-lay company predicted they could save around £50,000 in the coming year by adopting the AVK Pentoflow range.
With the AVK Pentoflow range, AVK has genuinely asserted itself as a ‘one stop shop’ for every mains-to-meter product.
See www.avkuk.co.uk
