TPi November 2016

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business & market news
12 Tube Products International November 2016
£1mn pipeworks project at
Manchester’s Spinningfields
Internal works are underway on the
development of No.1 Spinningfields and
the XYZ Building in Manchester, UK.
Engineering group J Fletcher Engineers,
Eccles, UK, has started work on a new
heating and chilled water pipe system
that uses cutting-edge materials, in
keeping with the ‘forward-thinking’
theme of the two buildings.
The £73mn No.1 Building will be 24
storeys high, and home to 343,000ft2
of flexible office space and a skyline
restaurant. J Fletcher was on-site at the
Quay Street location in July, to fit around
3,000m of tube to the plant rooms. The
160,000ft2 XYZ Building project will see
the firm install 5,000m.
J Fletcher Engineers plans to utilise new
technologies in pipeworks, forgoing
traditional carbon materials and
designing an advanced system made
from stainless steel. The firm frequently
works with stainless steel on commercial
projects. The high chromium content in
the alloy forms an invisible layer on the
steel, to prevent corrosion and staining,
which in turn extends product life.
Director Steve Fletcher commented,
“Traditionally, carbon steel pipework has
been used on such projects. We’re using
thin-wall stainless steel as it has many
benefits. It’s much lighter, so health
and safety risks during installation are
greatly reduced. It’s also cost-effective:
corrosion is limited so the material offers
a much longer lifespan than carbon
steel – a lifespan of up to 40 years.
“Winning the project has seen us
take on extra staff – we’re now a
130-strong workforce. We’re also now
looking for larger premises because
of the expanding workload and the
rising demand for prefabricated
pipework and steelwork. We’re always
championing innovative design and
materials, so it’s a pleasure to work on
some of Manchester’s most advanced
commercial buildings. It’s projects like
these that evidence the exciting future
of the engineering industry.”
Before work began on-site, J Fletcher
utilised complex 3D models of each
building, to enable the firm to efficiently
co-ordinate the pipework, ventilation
and electrical systems.
Mr Fletcher said, “Our in-house 3D
modelling facility offers the client the
option to co-ordinate the installation
before the building is complete –
enabling clients to prefabricate with
confidence. We then exercise greater
quality control by building the systems
off-site and transporting them to be
readily installed. This also dramatically
reduces timescale and health and safety
risk.”
No.1 Spinningfields is expected to
be completed in summer 2017, while
the ten-storey XYZ Building is due for
completion this year. The combined
project is estimated to be worth more
than £100mn to the city of Manchester.
J Fletcher Engineers – UK
Asahi/America welcomes
new sales team member
Thermoplastic fluid flow technology
specialist Asahi/America, Inc has
announced the addition of Anthony
Hernandez to its sales team.
Mr Hernandez joined the company in
June, and brings a wealth of knowledge
and experience to the team.
Mr Hernandez, who will represent Asahi/
America in eastern Pennsylvania, Long
Island and New York City, NY, New
Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Northern
Virginia, and Washington, DC, has
nearly a decade of experience in the
thermoplastics industry. He is currently
based in North Carolina.
Asahi/America, Inc specialises in
providing solutions for fluid handling
systems, individualised to meet
customers’ needs.
The company manufacturers corrosion-
resistant thermoplastic fluid handling
products including valves, actuators,
pipe and fittings. It also maintains
an extensive custom fabrication
department, and provides on-site
consultation, supervision and training
where required.
Asahi/America, Inc – USA
The XYZ Building in Manchester, UK
Anthony Hernandez