With the number of metal thefts reaching new heights, almost three quarters of contractors (72%) in the building services industry admit they have suffered the effects of metal thefts, according to new research by Durapipe UK.
New cases of metal thefts are hitting the headlines daily, with the latest figures suggesting they are costing the UK economy £770 million a year.
Construction projects up and down the country are certainly feeling the full force of the problem, which seems to be getting worse all the time; almost half of those surveyed (45%) revealed they have experienced metal thefts from site in the last six months, compared with only 14% reporting incidents 12 months ago.
Copper pipework, in particular, is one of the most common products to be stolen from construction projects, which is resulting in costly setbacks for contractors who are looking to meet strict budgets and deadlines. This is causing a reassessment of pipework specifications to help combat the issue, with one in four of those questioned revealing they have changed a specification from copper or steel to plastic to negate the problem of metal thefts.
The new research may explain the emerging shift in the choice of material for pipework specifications, which has seen plastic pipework rapidly increasing its market share for building services applications over the last couple of years. Plastic, by its very nature, has no scrap value so the risk of theft is completely eradicated, making it a cost effective solution for projects.
Commenting on its latest research, Durapipe UK marketing manager Mitchell Holmes said: “It is startling to see just how many people are being affected by metal thefts up and down the country. We are speaking to contractors on a daily basis about converting copper and steel specifications to plastics as they try to limit the risk.
“However, it is still surprising to see so many within the industry suffering the effects of stolen metal, when simply specifying an alternative material completely eradicates the threat.”
One contractor realising the benefits of plastics is H20 Plumbing and Heating Services, which specifies as standard Durapipe SuperFLO on all new build apartment developments to combat copper thefts.
Managing Director Steve Ellison said: “We had a bad experience with copper thefts before we discovered that a high performing plastic alternative was available from Durapipe UK. We would whole heartedly recommend this product to other contractors who have lost out to the copper theft crisis and are looking for an easy to install and high quality alternative.”
