Plumbing Resources, News & Information | Viega Blog

Viega: A Trusted Solution in Chemical Plants

Written by Viega | Sep 23, 2024 8:46:07 PM

At Viega, we don't stop at the most common applications like air and water systems. Being the best in press also means being a trusted partner where safety is a top priority and there's no room for error. The demands of chemical facilities that handle potentially hazardous materials require systems that guarantee the highest levels of safety, reliability and efficiency. Whether your system needs maintenance and repair, or your facility needs a whole new system installed, Viega is approved for the chemical applications your plant needs.

Safety is Non-Negotiable

In chemical plants, hot work can be hazardous due to the presence of highly flammable liquid and gaseous chemicals. Industrial Sales Manager Jeff Crider explains, "When we get into gases like hydrogen and nitrogen, operations and management do not want to weld or thread because of the inherent risks of having an open flame or contaminating the job site with threading oils. Using press technology minimizes those risks."

Viega’s press technology offers a safer alternative by eliminating the need for open flames or hot work, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing you to work on live systems without downtime or system purging. It also does not require fire watch to be on the premises when conducting work. And with Smart Connect® technology, pressed connections can be tested immediately. “You have that consistency, but you also have confirmation of knowing it’s pressed, we're going to test it, and it's going to be able to go immediately into service,” says Crider. “There’s no downtime once it’s pressed.”

Built for Over 2,500 Applications

Piping systems in chemical plants house the harshest media, which Viega’s ProPress® and MegaPress® systems are designed to withstand. Whether handling hydrogen, nitrogen, plant air, chemical drains, processed water, boiler feed water, or caustic chemicals, they can be used to connect copper, stainless steel or carbon steel systems using engineered EPDM, FKM or HNBR sealing elements, all of which meet stringent safety and performance standards.

Both ProPress and MegaPress are tested to ASTM F3226 and meet ASTM F3226 B31.1, B31.3 and B31.9 standards, allowing use on high-pressure and critical applications where the stakes are high. Viega is committed to providing systems that meet the rigorous demands of chemical plants.

Tight Timelines and a Tighter Workforce

In chemical plants, any hot work means halting operations, costing you time and money and opening your team up to more safety hazards. Viega allows you to avoid operational disruptions and removes open flame and consumables from the equation.

ProPress and MegaPress are also time-savers in light of the ongoing skilled labor shortage. Crider points out, “You can have the best welding rods and the best threading machine, but if you don't have a skilled person running those machines, then you're not getting the best installation. With Viega, the tool is doing the work, and the quality is built into the fittings.”

Streamlining the installation process means you don’t have to rely on highly specialized labor, enabling small, in-house teams to complete work quickly and consistently. This approach saves time, reduces costs and ensures a high-quality installation every time. Additionally, pressing what you can allows skilled personnel the time to weld what can't be pressed by Viega.

Support from the Experts

At Viega, our commitment to customer success doesn’t stop at the point of sale. Sales managers like Jeff Crider visit sites daily to troubleshoot, offer guidance and ensure successful installations. Viega also continues to research and develop new technologies, always striving to meet the evolving needs of chemical plants.

Viega’s press technology keeps chemical facilities running smoothly and safely by eliminating hot work, complying with critical codes and standards and saving you hours of installation time. If you have a specific chemical application in mind, contact our support team to find the solution you’re looking for.