Press fittings for gas and water: an overview of the most important differences
At first glance, press fittings for gas and water look similar. But the differences are considerable, and they concern precisely the points that are crucial for safe installation: Sealing material, certification and system suitability. If you know the differences, you can avoid confusion and make the right product choice.
Why gas and water have different requirements
Water and gas are physically fundamentally different. Water is incompressible and immediately visible in the event of a leak. Gas, on the other hand, is compressible, invisible and, in the worst case, explosive. This explains why the approval requirements for gas fittings are much stricter than for water fittings. A seal that is suitable for drinking water does not automatically have to be suitable for gas.
In concrete terms, this means that press fittings for gas must have a seal that is permanently resistant to the chemical properties of natural gas and liquid gas and that seals reliably in the event of pressure fluctuations. EPDM seals, which are often used in the drinking water sector, are not suitable for gas.
Sealing material as the most important distinguishing feature
The AQUAGAS-V system from HS Fittings uses HNBR seals (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber). This material is suitable for both gas and water and eliminates the need for separation by medium. This simplifies storage considerably, as there is no need to keep a separate pressfitting line for gas and one for water.
The yellow O-ring is the central identifying feature. It indicates at a glance that this fitting is approved for gas and water. This is an important distinguishing feature on the construction site, especially when different systems and media are installed in parallel.
Dual certification: what it means in practice
AQUAGAS V is doubly DVGW-certified: for gas in accordance with DVGW worksheet GW392 and for water in accordance with the associated drinking water and heating requirements. This is not a matter of course. Many systems on the market only have one approval. For the installer, dual certification means: one system, one tool, one certificate for two critical media. This saves set-up time, simplifies documentation and increases operational safety.
AQUAGAS V is designed for copper pipes in accordance with DIN EN 1057 in nominal widths of 12 to 54 mm. The associated technical documentation and certificates can be found in the HS Fittings download area.
Labeling and traceability
Documentation of the products used is particularly important for gas pipes. Certified press fittings with clear identification enable seamless traceability during inspections and maintenance work. This facilitates acceptance by the network operator and creates legal certainty for the company carrying out the work.
Conclusion: Press fittings for gas and water with double certification
Press fittings for gas differ from water fittings primarily in terms of the sealing material and the approval. AQUAGAS V from HS Fittings combines both requirements in one system and thus saves storage costs, the risk of confusion and documentation costs. For specific product questions or technical advice, please contact us.
