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Due to their self-recovery and micro-perforation free characteristics, the xFlex Speed ICTA series conduits are mandatory when making concrete buried systems. All the more so, they are also indicated when making chased systems, where the level of mechanical stress is lower.

Of course: thanks to the internal lubrication feature, you can easily thread other cables through conduits.

No, pliable conduits must be chased, installed under plaster, floors, walls or ceilings, buried in concrete or liquid cement, on movable walls, or suspended ceilings. They can not be installed on outer surfaces.

No, rigid pipes and accessories can be installed outside the wall, but only in places which are sheltered from direct exposure to sunlight.

No, these conduits should always be stored in warehouses protected from sunlight. It is however possible to store pallets of conduits which are intact and covered by the specific anti-UV protective sheet. This protective sheet must always be replaced to protect the coils or bundles of conduits after picking products from the storage pallets.

Conduit compression resistance decreases proportionally with increasing temperature. For installations in hot places and/or climates, it is fundamental to choose conduits with adequate mechanical and thermal features (ICTAAM 34323 – ICHW 33432 – ICTHX 43432). Polypropylene conduits are strictly recommended for their high mechanical and thermal resistance. In contrast, PVC conduits are not advised for their low thermal resistance, since they collapse over 60°C.

The standard does not specify anything but best manufacturing practice foresees the following: – black and white for distribution and power lines; – light blue for intercoms; – brown for emergency and alarm systems; – green for telephone lines; – purple for background music.

Using the appropriate GO EASY unwinding tool which ensures smooth and easy unrolling of the pre-wired conduits, whilst leaving the packaging intact on the roll that will be used in the future.

Yes, all packaging is made from 100% recyclable polyethylene.

The typical conduit waste is, as for empty conduits, the minimum length used for connections: about 2 meters.

Quality marks represent certifications of conformity and guarantee that the product is produced in accordance with applicable manufacturing standards. The mark is only granted after a strict approval process which includes a series of tests and inspections. The Body granting the use of the Mark also monitors the ongoing use of the mark and checks that the manufacturing standards are maintained over time, using its own inspectors and specialised laboratories. PM FLEX conduits have been certified by all major European Certification Bodies. For example, the PM FLEX ICTA polypropylene conduits are certified by the following European Certification Bodies: IMQ – Istituto Marchio Qualità – Italy Aenor – Ass. Espanola de Normalizacion y Certificacion – Spagna Cebec – SGS Belgium – Belgium D – UL Demko – Denmark FI – SGS Fimko – Finland N – Nemko – Norway NF – LCIE Bureau Veritas – France OVE – Austrian Electrotechnical Ass. – Austria S – Intertek Semko – Sweden SEV – Electrosuisse – Switzerland VDE – VDE P. und Z. GmbH – Germany

This is the European Standard that establishes the tests and methods used to verify the behaviour of cables subjected to fire tests. In particular, it establishes the procedure which determines the content of halogen acid gasses in emissions generated during combustion. As far as fire is concerned, the damages caused by the direct action of fire are added to those caused by corrosive agents in combustion gases which reach the environments untouched by the fire. If the sheaths and cable insulations are made of PVC, in the event of a fire, these products release from 25% to 30% their weight in chlorine which, combined with the humidity in the air, forms hydrochloric acid which is deposited on all surfaces the smoke come into contact with and hence begins its corrosive action. Corrosion damage often exceeds the damage caused by the fire itself. Vice versa, PM FLEX polypropylene conduits do not produce harmful acids during a fire and significantly reduce the emission of toxic fumes, thus safeguarding the health of workers and the integrity of objects. For these reasons, the use of polypropylene pipes is recommended in all locations that host large numbers of people, such as offices, hotels, hospitals, schools, banks, entertainment locations, buildings of historic and artistic value, etc.

In contrast with low temperature field, it is the highest temperature to transport, store, install and use conduits, without subjecting them to mechanical stress.

This is the International Standard that establishes the tests and methods used to assess the density of smoke generated by burning cables. The reference data is obtained by evaluating the amount of light that penetrates through the smoke.

EN Standards are internationally recognized standards governing the manufacturing and standardisation of mass-produced products. In particular, EN 61386 indicates the requirements and tests applicable to pipes and fittings which are built to protect and install insulated wires and/or electrical wiring systems or telecommunication systems up to 1000V AC and/or up to 1500V DC.

It is the lowest temperature to transport, store, install and use conduits. At temperatures no lower than the ones declared, conduits maintain their tested mechanical resistance to impact and compression.

The diameter of a conduit which undergoes laboratory tests with a load of 750 Newtons on 5 cm can reduce by up to 50%. Once the load has been released, the diameter returns to its original value with a decrease of less than 10%.

Unlike PVC conduits, polypropylene conduits have no micro-perforations due to the type of plastic polymer used and the typical thickness of the walls (thicker than PVC ones): this feature means it is the only conduit guaranteed by PM FLEX for use in concrete buried systems.

Low Smoke Zero Halogen: when this acronym is used with reference to insulating and protection cables and conduits, it classifies the thermoplastic materials that emit a very low level of smoke and no halogens when exposed to high heat sources, such as a flame. Corrugated conduits in PVC are not LSZH: in the event of a fire, PVC conduits and non-LSZH cables release chlorine and hydrochloric acid, a toxic and highly irritating gas. Polypropylene insulating conduits and LSZH cables, in contrast, do not produce harmful acids and significantly reduce the emission of toxic fumes. Consequently, LSZH polypropylene conduits are increasingly regarded as the installation standard in many countries. Due to their safety for the public and property, they are highly recommended in buildings with a high footfall, such as hospitals, schools, care homes, etc.

Unlike PVC conduits, polypropylene conduits are: – 3 times more resistant to impact (6 joules at -5°C compared to 2 joules) – resistant to low and high temperatures (from -15°C to +90°C) – self-recovering – free from micro-perforations – environmentally friendly: they are LSZH, so with very low emission of toxic fumes, and they contain no heavy (e.g. lead) or chlorinated metals. These characteristics make corrugated polypropylene conduits ideal for creating any type of system no matter what the conditions. They are essential when implementing electrical systems buried in concrete, especially when castings undergo accelerated curing technologies using vibration systems.

If power and junction boxes are protected with the appropriate covers, the conduits are not “visible” at the worksite; moreover, as the cables are fairly small in diameter and have a very low copper content, they are not particularly attractive to thieves.

All conduits, whether in Polypropylene or PVC, are recyclable. Packaging and left-over conduits should be taken to your local collection point to be sent to the plastic regeneration plant.

The IP Code (“Protection Rating”) consists of two digits (e.g. IP65) that define the degree of protection for the system in question. The term “system” refers to the coupling of pipes and fittings; the higher the figure, the higher the protection level. The first digit varies from 1 to 6 and defines the level of protection against solids (powder); the second is from 1 to 8 and defines the level of protection against liquids (water drops, splashing, immersion).