WATTS Microflex®: pre-insulated flexible pipes for underground networks

Made up of pre-insulated pipes, underground distribution networks supply heat to private, public or industrial buildings to meet their heating and domestic hot water needs, and carry chilled water for air conditioning and cooling at certain sites. Depending on the temperature of the fluids conveyed, the design of these networks demands the utmost rigor. To provide a tailored answer to each application and guarantee optimal reliability, WATTS presents the Microflex® system, a complete range of pre-insulated flexible pipes, fittings and accessories.

A high-performance system
Highly flexible, WATTS Microflex® pre-insulated pipes stand out for:

• their unique structure and geometry,

• their double outer sheath in double-wall high-density polyethylene, which guarantees reinforced protection and great robustness,

• their ultra-flexible multilayer insulation made of closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene foam. This innovative design of the Microflex® pipes limits heat loss during fluid transport and ensures consistent insulation throughout the service life of the pipes.

But above all, Microflex® pre-insulated pipes are notable for their great flexibility, which allows them to adapt to any configuration, particularly at secondary connections, where their flexibility avoids the need for a branch. Simply bend the pipe to get around the obstacle!

An ultra-flexible solution, the WATTS Microflex® system enables network operators and public works and heating contractors to install an underground heating, chilled water, domestic water or drinking water network even more quickly, in urban or residential areas. With one color per application, it also makes it easier to select the pipe that will be perfectly suited to their job site.

A solution for every application
District heating or cooling, domestic hot water distribution, etc.: with its Microflex® system, WATTS provides a high-performance answer to every application.

Complete, the range consists of pre-insulated flexible pipes, with a diameter from 20 mm to 125 mm depending on the model, available in single or twin carrier pipe versions.

For convenience, their intended use is easily identified by their color:

• white for sanitary installations (transport of water up to 95°C at pressures up to 10 bar),

• yellow, with an oxygen barrier, for heating (transport of fluids at temperatures between -10 and +95°C and pressures up to 6 bar). Of note, a quadruple pipe is available to build heating, air conditioning and sanitary networks with a single Microflex® line,

• black for air conditioning, drinking water or wastewater installations. As an option, a self-regulating heating cable can be supplied to protect against the risk of frost.

Easy to install even in the most difficult-to-access places, the Microflex® system is offered with a wide range of fittings and accessories.

A complete system
To make buried and accessible junctions and branches, threaded and flanged outlets, with or without wall penetrations and watertight penetrations, WATTS supplies its Microflex® system with numerous fittings and accessories.

Threaded or weld-on, from 20 to 125 mm in diameter, the fittings require no special tools for assembly. Resistant over time to contraction and expansion thanks to the self-compensation principle, they allow straight, elbow and tee junctions. In addition, WATTS offers a complete range of insulation and sealing kits for pipe connections, as well as a junction kit.

Finally, the Microflex® system is supplied with accessories specially designed for complex installations, such as insulated rigid boxes for buried junctions, inspection chambers, an anchoring and waterproofing system, and pipe marking tapes.

A premium service

Alongside a global solution with quality products guaranteed for 10 years, WATTS offers a top-tier service. In addition to custom-made Microflex® products, a dedicated team of specialists to help design and optimize networks, and a permanently available stock of pre-insulated pipes, WATTS has just invested in a new-generation cutting machine, located in Sorgues (84), the Watts group's logistics platform in France.

Starting from a coil of 100 ml, this high-tech tool:

• unrolls the coil,

• cuts the pre-insulated flexible pipe to the desired length using an automatic length counter on the control panel,

• rewinds the Microflex® pipe and shrink-wraps it, for delivery at D+5 directly to the job site with all the matching accessories!