A press fitting is joined with a tool rather than a flame. The fitting goes onto the pipe, the jaw closes, and the joint is made in seconds. No torch, no hot work permit, no waiting for the joint to cool.
What changes on site
The obvious saving is time per joint. The larger saving is everything that surrounds a flame on an occupied building: the permit, the fire watch, the work that has to stop nearby, and the risk assessment that goes with all of it.
On a refurbishment in an occupied building, that difference often decides the method before anyone compares the fitting prices.
Where it fits
- Plumbing and potable water.
- Heating and chilled water circuits.
- Compressed air and industrial services.
- Any refurbishment where hot work is restricted or slow to authorise.
Copper and stainless
Copper press fittings join copper tube and cover most plumbing and heating work. Stainless press fittings carry the pressure and temperature range that HVAC and industrial services ask for, and they resist the corrosion that some circuits impose.
The two are not mixed casually. Fitting, pipe and seal material are specified together.
What the joint depends on
Three things, all of them prepared before the jaw closes. The pipe end is cut square and deburred. The pipe is inserted to full depth. The correct jaw is used for the fitting size.
A press joint that was made on an under inserted pipe looks finished and is not, and unlike a soldered joint there is no visual tell. Depth marks exist for that reason and are worth using.
Where soldering still wins
Press fittings are not a universal replacement. Very high temperature circuits, some chemical service and certain pressure classes remain solder or weld territory. The choice is made on the duty, not on convenience.
The range and fitting types are on our press fittings page.
