Q & A – The BMS Repiping Process

How do you commence a re-piping project?

What are the methods involved in re-piping?

Who certifies the work, both in my suite and in general locations?

What documentation do we receive after project completion?

Who are the experts in the field of piping replacement?

How long does it take to re-pipe a building?

Do you have to do work in my unit?

Which areas in my suite are affected by re-piping?

Will I be without water, when repair work is being performed?

Can pets stay in the unit when work is being performed?

What are your normal working hours?

Will there be any changes in appearance to my suite as a result of re-piping?

What about clean up on a regular basis?


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How do you commence a re-piping project?

There are several ways an owner can proceed –
1) Contacting or selecting a qualified piping replacement contractor such as BMS, who would provide the owners with a design build and a firm-priced contract for the project.
2) Selecting a professional mechanical engineering company who is familiar with this type of work, and in turn would create a full-tender package for selected contractors to provide bids on the project.
3) Creating fully-detailed plans and specifications from an engineering company and advertise for bids via a public tender.
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What are the methods involved in re-piping?

There are two main types of plumbing replacement designs in a building.The higher-cost horizontal system consists of running main pipes, typically in the corridor ceilings on each floor. Fixtures in the suites are isolated by valves located either inside the suites or in the hallways.Entry to each individual suite is minimized and there is better control for isolating the fixtures. This system is particularly suited for hi-rise structures that have ample space for new piping in their hallway corridors.The less expensive system is the vertical system.The main pipes run horizontally in the corridor and inside the suites on a particular floor. The piping is then run vertically to service the fixtures on the upper and lower floors. There is more time involved in accessing suites with a vertical system and is better suited for low-rise structures.
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Who certifies the work, both in my suite and in general locations?

New installations are inspected by municipal inspectors and representatives of engineering firms on a regular basis. In addition, the company will provide you with a warranty on both materials and labour.
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What documentation do we receive after project completion?

We will provide you with as-built drawings, maintenance manuals, letters of warranty and building inspection reports.
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Who are the experts in the field of piping replacement?

There are only a few companies and mechanical design engineers who are fully experienced to perform this type of work.
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How long does it take to re-pipe a building?

Depending on the size of each project, it can take from as little as 4 weeks for a small job, while very large buildings can take as long as 5 months.
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Do you have to do work in my unit?

When a building is totally re-piped, we need to have access to your unit in order to hook up the new piping to your plumbing fixtures. You will not have to be present and will be notified in writing in advance for suite access.
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Which areas in my suite are affected by re-piping?

In most instances, the affected areas are the bathroom(s) and kitchen. The time required to install new pipes and repair the walls and ceilings varies from six to ten working days.
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Will I be without water, when repair work is being performed?

Yes, you will be without water for short periods of time, however, you will be properly notified. In all cases, you will have full water service by the end of each day.
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Can pets stay in the unit when work is being performed?

If at all possible, it is best to have your pet somewhere else while work is performed in your suite. If this is not an option, we would suggest that your pet be held in a secure place where work is not being done.
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What are your normal working hours?

Our normal working hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. No work will be performed on weekends and holidays except in emergencies. We are on call 24 hours a day in case of emergency situations.
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Will there be any changes in appearance to my suite as a result of re-piping?

In most cases there will be no difference in appearance, except in some cases where we may have to install some minor bulkheads in order to hide the new plumbing.
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What about clean up on a regular basis?

Our workers will clean up at the end of each work day, while a final clean up will be performed at the completion of the contract.
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