Emergency Response failed below coupling
On November 26th 2024, Patrick Worth was contacted about a rubber bellow coupling that had failed in a large upmarket 230 apartment block in Leeds.
The Problem
Water had sprayed across the plant room, flooding it, and the residents were without hot water. Flexible pipe connectors are normally used to allow movement, due to connection to moving equipment, or to allow for thermal expansion. This reduces pipe stress and allows for movement, but also another benefit is that if correctly designed, they can reduce the risk of noise and future failure of pipes through vibration.
Next Steps
Patrick, who has worked with Metcor Pumps for ten years, starting as an apprentice with them alongside studying for a college diploma in mechatronics, attended the site the same day. Whilst on the way there, he sourced a possible replacement bellow coupling, and confirming the exact size required. With two pumps also failing, he called in a colleague engineer, and together they replaced the bellow coupling and made a temporary fix for the pumps.
Whilst Metcor Pumps carry a range of most needed stock, more importantly we have developed over 30 years a strong supply chain, that enables us to obtain pumps and parts direct from manufacturers quickly and at competitive prices. It’s one of the reasons we were awarded distributor of the year in the Pump Industry Awards.
Challenges
- A luxury apartment block was left with no hot water after a rubber bellow coupling had failed on one the pumps in the plant room. In addition to the flooding that occurred, both pumps subsequently also failed.
Solutions
- A technical sales engineer immediately travelled to the site, sourcing the replacement part on the way
- An engineer joined him on location and made a temporary fix for the pumps
- Hot water was restored on the same day
