In the construction industry, the shift towards more sustainable and efficient practices has become a prerequisite for many large government projects. Amid this shift, QMEXX Pipe Supports have emerged to redefine what it means to be sustainable in an industry often criticised for its environmental footprint. With a keen focus on innovation, efficiency, and durability, QMEXX is leading the charge towards a greener future, proving that practical solutions can indeed align with sustainable goals.
This article explores the multifaceted ways in which QMEXX Pipe Supports are setting new benchmarks in sustainability, outpacing traditional fabricated supports through environmental benefits, economic efficiency, and a commitment to reducing resource consumption.
With the approaching target of Net Zero 2050, the significance of sustainability is escalating within the building services supply chain. Contractors vying for major government projects are now mandated to integrate carbon reduction plans into their proposals.
An emerging necessity for Tier 1 contractors is the provision of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which entail disclosing environmental data concerning construction projects.
Among the various aspects covered in EPDs, a crucial one is assessing the 'embodied carbon' of construction projects. This involves meticulously tracking greenhouse gas emissions throughout a project lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation of materials, construction processes, and a comprehensive lifecycle assessment.
Consequently, Tier 1 contractors are now extending their scrutiny to M&E contractors, ensuring their adherence to sustainability benchmarks. Consequently, for M&E contractors aiming to appeal to these higher-tier stakeholders, demonstrating not just safety and compliance but also environmental consciousness is becoming more and more crucial.
Therefore, even if sustainability isn't your personal priority, the likelihood is that your Tier 1 contractors are prioritising it.
While this may seem like a daunting prospect, there's a silver lining. Utilising QMEXX not only ensures safer and compliant installations but also aligns with sustainability objectives. In essence, it’s a win-win solution.
A challenge that is faced with installing above-ground pipe supports is that oftentimes, the actual on-site measurements differ from the initial site drawings. This is because site drawings do not account for the dynamic and evolving nature of construction sites. Here are some reasons why site drawings can fall short:
This means that many times, traditional fabricated pipe support supports often arrive on-site and fail to meet the specific needs of the site. However, not only is this process expensive, time-consuming and leads to project inefficiencies – it also contributes massively to the carbon footprint of the project. This is how:
Recognising the unsustainability and danger of on-site fabrication, and the fact that it can be significant hindrance to construction work and can lead to project delays, most contractors opt to send traditional pipe supports back off-site for alterations and modifications.
While off-site fabrication offers several advantages in terms of efficiency and quality control for many construction projects, it still leads to unnecessary and avoidable consumption of resources and the generation of material waste.
So, what is the solution?
QMEXX represents an innovative modular pipe support system, featuring a streamlined selection of components that seamlessly integrate with the Sikla Framo modular support systems. This integration facilitates the creation of custom, ready-to-use pipe support solutions, capable of accommodating an extensive array of configurations.
Developed by MIDFIX to address the specific challenges of managing above-ground pipework in the water and utilities sectors, QMEXX brings together a suite of pioneering components. Designed for versatility, QMEXX supports can be easily adjusted or modified on-site to meet any unforeseen changes or discrepancies from the original plans. Eliminating the need for hot works in its manufacturing process and featuring a hot-dip-galvanised finish, QMEXX stands out as a bolt-on solution that ensures both efficiency and longevity in pipe support.
However, the advantages of QMEXX don’t just stop there. Its design and functionality are committed to ensuring environmental sustainability in every stage of its lifecycle, from production through installation to long-term use. This is how:
QMEXX is prefabricated using readily available “off-the-shelf” components that can be designed bespoke to meet your site’s needs. These components allow for rapid assembly directly on the construction site or can be delivered pre-assembled for immediate use.
Pre-fabrication means QMEXX components are manufactured in a controlled environment, optimising material use and minimising waste. This process ensures that each piece is produced with precision, reducing the excess materials often generated through on-site fabrication. It also lowers the need for transporting multiple materials and tools to the site for on-site fabrication, as QMEXX is designed to be compact and easily transportable, optimising logistics and cutting down on carbon emissions. The controlled setting also allows for more energy-efficient manufacturing practices, as energy use can be closely monitored and minimised, further enhancing the sustainability of the production phase.
Fabricating components off-site in a controlled environment can reduce the potential for accidents and injuries compared to traditional on-site construction activities.
The adjustability of QMEXX Pipe Supports is a game-changer for sustainability in construction. Thanks to its innovative multi-holed box section design, assembling a wide range of pipe supports, including post brackets, goal posts, cantilever brackets, and gantries, can be accomplished within minutes, all with the convenience of a single fastener. This feature allows for on-the-fly modifications to accommodate any unexpected site-specific conditions without the need for hot works, additional materials and custom measurements.
From a sustainability point of view, this offers several advantages:
In essence, QMEXX pipe supports embody sustainable construction principles by optimising material use, minimising waste, and reducing energy consumption during its production and installation stage. However, the sustainability movement in construction does not just stop at manufacturing, but also concerns a lifecycle assessment of the environmental implications of your products. The following sections elaborate on how QMEXX Pipe Supports are not merely a product but a sustainable solution extending beyond initial use.
QMEXX Pipe Supports are designed with sustainability at their core, emphasising not just efficiency and adaptability in their initial installation but also in their potential for being dismantled and reused. This feature significantly enhances their sustainability credentials in several ways:
The ability to dismantle and reuse QMEXX Pipe Supports embodies sustainable construction practices by promoting longevity, reducing waste, and conserving resources. The adaptability of QMEXX supports encourages a shift away from the traditional 'take-make-dispose' model towards a more sustainable model that values the longevity and versatility of materials.
QMEXX Pipe Supports have been subjected to comprehensive testing protocols and therefore come with loading data to validate their strength, durability, and resilience under various conditions. These reports offer detailed insights into the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of QMEXX components, with each part undergoing rigorous testing and analysis, both at an individual level and as a system. This data-backed approach instils confidence in the system's ability to exceed industry safety standards. The design is such that the supports can be reconfigured into a wide range of pipe supports to meet varying needs for varying projects without causing material degradation. Additionally, the hot-dip galvanised finish ensures that the material is protected from corrosive environments common in wastewater recycling facilities.
Furthermore, QMEXX's extensive usage in over 500 projects serves as a powerful testament to its reliability and adaptability across a diverse spectrum of applications. This real-world validation not only showcases the system's theoretical safety but also demonstrates its proven performance in practical, on-site conditions.
The durability and tested reliability of QMEXX Pipe Supports translate directly into fewer needs for reworks and maintenance. Traditional supports, prone to wear and tear, often require frequent inspections and replacements, contributing to higher resource consumption, labour and increased waste over time.
In contrast, QMEXX's longevity means that once installed, the supports remain functional and dependable without the constant need for intervention. This stability significantly diminishes the environmental toll associated with manufacturing replacement parts, transporting materials, discarding worn materials and components, and the energy and labour consumed during these activities.
QMEXX transcends conventional sustainability practices by embedding eco-consciousness not only during production and installation but also throughout its lifecycle, epitomising the principles of the circular economy. This commitment extends beyond the immediate benefits, aligning with the principles of the circular economy by ensuring that the supports can be adapted, reconfigured, and reused across multiple projects and applications. The inherent durability of QMEXX products means they stand the test of time, reducing the need for replacements and thus minimising waste and resource consumption. By designing supports that can easily be adjusted to meet evolving project needs without compromising on performance or reliability, QMEXX contributes to a sustainable construction ecosystem that values resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the longevity of materials. In doing so, QMEXX not only adheres to sustainable practices but also sets a benchmark in the construction industry for integrating the ideals of the circular economy into every aspect of its operations, from production through to the end of product life, fostering a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.