Encasement‘s range of pipe boxing and casing solutions for social housing continues to be in high demand, with the growth in fire sprinkler installation, central heating upgrades, and distributed heating system refurbishment projects all using the company’s specialised products.

Pre-formed plywood casings have been the preferred solution for social housing RMI for decades and with more than 30 years manufacturing experience in the sector, Encasement estimates over 100,000 kilometres of its pipe-boxing have already been installed in social housing sites nationwide.

The company’s pipe boxing, boiler casings and fire sprinkler boxing are continually specified by HAs, LAs and their contractors for concealing interior pipework, while its ‘Arma’ range of tough, lightweight aluminium casings are increasingly specified to conceal and protect exterior services, such as gas supply pipes, electrical cabling and distributed heating pipework.

Encasement was one of the first manufacturers and suppliers of decorative casings to achieve the FSC® Chain of Custody Certification from the Forestry Stewardship Council in 2010 and, since then, the company has offered an FSC® certified option on its full range of pre-formed plywood casings to comply with customers’ sustainable procurement policies.

The company’s Riva, Versa 5, and Versa 8 ranges of pipe and fire sprinkler boxing products, together with its boiler pipe casing range, are pre-finished in white melamine so they can be fitted quickly and easily, which removes the need for on site painting and helps save time and money on site.

Martin Taylor, Encasement’s Managing Director, commented: “From our experience of working with contractors on countless social housing projects where pipework needs to be concealed, we know that pipe and fire sprinkler boxing can be fitted in less than half the time of site made alternatives.”

For housing associations, local authorities and their contractors, this time saving provides a number of benefits. It helps ensure heating systems, boilers and fire safety upgrades can be completed within shorter timescales, which minimises disruption for tenants and can also have a positive impact on improving maintenance and tenant satisfaction KPI’s.

Possibly the most important advantage is that the completion time of the projects can be shortened, without compromising the quality or integrity of the installation – this, in turn, can also help reduce costs.

Martin Taylor continued: “From day one, we set out to manufacture and supply the most comprehensive range of pipe boxing and casing products for the social housing sector and we now offer more than 200 different products, profiles and sizes within our standard range.

“Our Versa range of pre-formed pipe boxing has rapidly become a key solution for concealing retro-fitted fire sprinkler pipework in flats and communal areas, whilst the launch of our flame retardant Versa ’FR’ boxing was a first for the market.

“Versa FR is also pre-finished in white, while our Arma aluminium casings can be specified and manufactured in any RAL colour.”