Traditional Materials Increase Risk for M&E Professionals

With the value of raw materials regularly increasing, M&E specifiers and contractors are being urged to consider traditional pipework alternatives in order to reduce risk of theft.

This warning comes from polymer specialist, REHAU, as it prepares to unveil a major new piece of research highlighting copper theft as a significant problem among M&E professionals. Out of 500 architects, M&E specifiers and contractors, 83% of respondents stated they have experienced copper theft at some point.

Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing & Technical for Building Solutions at REHAU explains: “We have recently seen a 10-year high on some raw material prices, which of course increases its appeal to thieves. This not only has cost implications for construction sites full of new materials, but also causes potential project delays though insurance claims and police reports.”

The report also goes on to find that fluctuating commodity prices for metal pipes impact willingness to specify certain products – 29% big influence, 56% fair influence, 10% not much, 3% no influence. The detailed insights will form a series of reports focusing on different building types over 2021.