Frequently Asked Questions

Need to know anything about TracPipe® or TracPipeCC®? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that be helpful but remember, you can also contact us to ask any specific questions you may have.

The FAQ’s should always be read in conjunction with the current Design and Installation Specification that is available from our Downloads page. You can also find other useful support documents including the TracPipe® Kit Installation Leaflet and the Sum of Pressure Loss Worksheet for project pipe sizing.

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Do TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® need to be sleeved going through a wall or floor?

TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® need to be sleeved when passing through walls or floors. This still applies whether the wall/floor contains a cavity or not.  The sleeve should take the shortest practical route through the wall/floor, be resistant to corrosion and be impermeable to gas (e.g. copper, steel, polyethylene, or other suitable material). The sleeve should have no joints along its length and be sealed at both ends to the fabric of the building with a suitable building material. The annular space between the pipe and the sleeve should be sealed at one end only (preferably on the internal side) with a non-setting fire resistant compound.

Does TracPipe® or TracPipeCC® need additional protection when buried?

TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be directly buried internally and externally without any additional corrosion or mechanical protection. The polyethylene cover is manufactured to have a minimum thickness of 0.5mm and a maximum chloride content of less than 50ppm so meets the requirements of installation standards for direct burial in the UK. After the pipe has been installed and prior to the being buried, the entire length of the pipe must be examined both visually and manually and any damage to the polyethylene cover must be repaired with the TracPipe® self-amalgamating silicone tape.

If you’re bending TracPipe® or TracPipeCC® do you still need to make an allowance for the bend when sizing?

Yes you still need to make an allowance in your pipe sizing calculation for any bends. For DN’s 12, 15, 22 and 28 you needs allow 0.3m per 90o bend. For DN’s 32 and 40, 0.5m per 90o bend and DN50, 0.65m per 90o bend. Full details can be found in Annex F of the Design and Installation Specification.

Can TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® be connected directly onto a gas meter?

Both TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be connected directly to the fixed gas meter outlet connection. If the gas meter is unsecured, there needs to be 600mm of rigid pipework securely fixed to the fabric of the building before transitioning to TracPipe® or TracPipeCC®.

Can I wrap the stainless steel with grease impregnated tape or electrical insulation tape?

You must only use the TracPipe® self-amalgamating silicone tape to wrap any exposed stainless steel on the pipe and only after a successful tightness testing has been completed. Grease impregnated tape and electrical insulation tapes can contain chlorides which are corrosive to stainless steel.

What is TracPipeCC® (Complete Containment)?

The original CSST pipe in pipe solution. First launched to the market in November 2018, TracPipeCC® was primarily designed to overcome the issues around running gas installation pipework in unventilated voids. The product has a secondary outer cover that includes ridges on the internal surface which form channels between the primary and secondary outer covers. In the unlikely event that a gas escape could occur, the innovative patented design allows for a passage to be formed and any escaping gas from the stainless steel pipe and primary outer cover can move freely along the channels formed to a safe and ventilated location at each end of the pipe.

When burying TracPipe® or TracPipeCC® in screed, what is the minimum depth required?

Both TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be directly buried within a non-structural screed or topping without any additional corrosion or mechanical protection. There needs to be a minimum of 25mm depth of cover above the pipe for ‘domestic’ type installations and 40mm for ‘industrial and commercial’ type installations.

Can TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® be used externally above ground?

Yes TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be used externally above ground. The polyethylene outer cover contains additives that protects it against ozone attack and the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light so it will not become brittle or degrade in sunlight or adverse weather. Also, as TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® are not annealed (softened) during the manufacturing process, this makes them highly durable to onsite damage.

Can I join TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® onto copper pipes?

There is a comprehensive range of AutoFlare® to copper compression fittings available which allows direct connection from TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® onto copper for sizes DN15 to DN32. Included in the range are reducing fittings so you can connect to smaller copper pipes. For example, you can connect to either 35mm, 28mm or 22mm copper from DN32 TracPipe® or TracPipeCC®.

Can TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® be routed within fire protected shafts, corridors and lobbies?

In continuous lengths (no joints), both TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® have a 2 hour fire rating so can be used in fire protected areas. The outer covers are also self-extinguishing and have a EUROCLASS Reaction to Fire rating of B – s1, d0.

When routing pipework through unventilated voids, why is using TracPipeCC® preferable to running TracPipe® within a secondary containment duct?

TracPipeCC® comes with the secondary containment duct already in place so this not only reduces installation time but it also reduces the amount of space needed to accommodate the pipework. Another key benefit of using TracPipeCC® is that it can be routed both horizontally and vertically and still achieve adequate support. If you were to use TracPipe® within a separate secondary containment duct, it is only possible to do this on horizontal runs as it is not possible to support the pipe within the duct on vertical runs.

Is training required to use TracPipe® and TracPipeCC®?

It is not mandatory, however we believe it is essential as our professional team can cover important issues (such as those found in these FAQ’s) as well combining this with a site visit to discuss other helpful information. If you have had previous TracPipe® training and you are starting to use TracPipeCC®, it is important to organise additional training as standards may have changed since you were last trained. Training is free of charge and can be carried out whenever it is convenient to you.

Where can I buy it from?

The range of OmegaFlex® products are available nationwide through most national and independent plumbing and builders merchants. They are also available through several online based merchants. For more information, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Benefits to Installers of choosing TracPipe® and TracPipeCC®:

  • For ease and speed of installation
  • Can be used internally and externally
  • Run long, continuous lengths direct from meter to appliance – No joints
  • Comprehensive range of AutoFlare® fittings integrate directly to rigid pipe materials
  • Durable and light weight
  • Semi-rigid and flexible
  • Bends and conforms by hand
  • Cuts with a standard stainless steel tube cutter
  • No threading or hot works needed
  • TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be used for direct burial without the need for additional mechanical or corrosion protection
  • TracPipeCC® can be used as a pipe in pipe system for unventilated voids (horizontal and vertical runs)
  • In continuous lengths (no joints), TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® can be routed within fire protected areas as the products meet Fire Test A of BS EN 1775, Annex A.
  • The outer covers of TracPipe® and TracPipeCC® achieve a EUROCLASS Reaction to Fire Rating of B-s1, d0.




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