As the Taipei Financial Center reaches toward completion in 2004 at a height of 508m with 101 stories, the mechanical systems team turned to Victaulic Asia Pacific for piping and fire protection products. Victaulic is the originator of grooved-end piping, a joining system that offers advantages in flexibility, ease of installation and installed cost. The flexibility of grooved end couplings in fire protection, stormdrain and plumbing systems is an important element in the building’s ability to deal with the seismic activity that is likely to occur during its life cycle. In addition to its safety advantages, grooved end piping requires fewer bolts than flanged connections; it does not involve the open flame and attendant fire hazard of welding; and it does not have the leakage problems commonly associated with threaded pipe. Piping may be cut to length and grooved on the job site with simple tools. Because it can be installed easily, the grooved-end method provides total installed cost savings of 10-30% over flanged, threaded or welded pipe couplings. Victaulic components included in the Taipei skyscraper include galvanised steel pipe for fire protection and stormdrain service up to 450mm, stainless steel pipe for plumbing supply up to 318mm, and butterfly valves from 76mm to 600mm with couplings.
