Frequently Asked Questions

About Conex

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Since 1909
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Europe.
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Annealed, half hard and hard drawn type A and B plumbing tube to AS1432.

>B< Press

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No, once pressed, they cannot be rotated.
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No, this is a permanent installation.
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No. The O-ring is integral to the seal of the fitting, swapping the O-ring increases the risk of damage and therefore O-rings are not to be interchanged.
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Please see 'Installation guidelines' for >B< Press and for XL fittings.
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The surface should be prepared in the same way as with new pipe. And provided there is no corrosion, the tube dimensions comply with AS 1432 (type A & B) and the fittings are installed correctly, there are no warranty issues. Note: Warranty is limited to faults due to the manufacturing defects of the fittings – not incorrect installation or installation on faulty or corroded pipe.
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It cannot be used where pressures are greater than those recommended or where corrosive fluids/gases need to be transmitted.
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>B< Press water fittings are recommended for compressed air (oil free) and >B< Press Gas fittings are suitable for all compressed air applications.
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Fast, simple and reliable installation.
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Providing the selection of the sealing gasket considers the same system parameters and application, flanges may be used in all situations that other >B< Press fittings cater for.
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See section on brazing near >B< Press fittings on the installation requirements page.
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Yes, >B< Press fittings are tested at a vacuum test pressure of - 80 kPa at ambient temperature.
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Yes, the fitting can be used in wet conditions and after pressing will provide a watertight joint.
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No, the O-ring is prelubricated. Additional lubricants could impact on the life of the O-ring and void the warranty. If the O-ring appears dry a small amount of water can be used to lubricate it.
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Yes, provided that the tube complies with AS 1432. However it is recommended to test a piece first as some splitting of the chrome may occur.

>B< MaxiPro

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Yes, >B< MaxiPro is a press fitting system for use with hard, half hard or annealed copper tube conforming to AS/NZS 1571*. Mechanical joints shall not be used on annealed temper copper tube in sizes larger than 7/8 inch OD size per International Mechanical Code IMC and 3/4 inch nominal size per Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC).

*Please refer to >B< MaxiPro - Tube compatibility table, section 16.9.

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No, >B< MaxiPro is speci cally designed for copper to copper connections. Connecting to dissimilar metals can cause formicary corrosion issues that could cause a failure.
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The product has a 15 year guarantee from the date of purchase. Please refer to full terms and conditions.
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The O-ring is manufactured from Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR).
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The O-ring is manufactured by Germany’s leading producer of O-rings. The expected life of the O-ring if used within the product speci cations for temperature and pressure is at least 25 years. The product has a 15 year guarantee from the date of first purchase.
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No, the product is not subject to degradation under normal storage conditions. Provided it is kept in original packaging and not exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Please see section 11.0 for details regarding fitting storage.
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>B< MaxiPro is approved for use with R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, R134a, R404A, R407C, R407F, R410A, and R507.
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>B< MaxiPro is approved for use with POE, PAO, AB and mineral oil. The O-ring has been tested successfully with PAG oil however PAG oil should not be used with copper systems due to potential for corrosion of the copper material.
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No, if a fitting that has been pressed is leaking, the fitting must be cut out and replaced. You should not attempt to braze the tting you may melt the O-ring material and thus introduce contaminants into the system that could cause other system issues.
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No, >B< MaxiPro has been thoroughly freeze / thaw tested.
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No, >B< MaxiPro has been Acid Salt Spray tested to ASTM G85. As with all copper installations exposure to ammonia should be avoided.
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The tool has a red LED which will be permanently on when the Romax Compact has completed 10,000 cycles.
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Have your jaw checked at the latest 1 year after the purchase or after 10,000 pressings (according to which occurs rst) by an authorised Rothenberger testing centre, and repeat these checks at the latest 1 year or another 10,000 pressings after the previous inspection. During jaw inspection the jaws are checked for operating and functional safety and wear parts (e.g. springs) are exchanged. Jaws which are functionally and operationally safe are returned to you.
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Only Rothenberger tools are approved for use with >B< MaxiPro.
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No, we do not have a speci c product designed for crimping over ared tubing. However, where there is at least 50mm of straight copper tubing after the ared end and it is accessible with the jaws, we suggest that you cut the ared end off and crimp directly to the tube.
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>B< MaxiPro fittings are:
  • UL 207 certi ed, certi cate no. SA44668
  • UL 109-7 Pull Test, compliant
  • UL 1963-79 Tests of Gaskets and Seals used in Refrigerant Systems, compliant
  • ISO 5149-2, compliant
  • ASTM G85, compliant
  • AS/NZS 1677-2 compliant
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>B< MaxiPro is a press fitting system for use with hard, half hard or annealed copper tube conforming to AS/NZS 1571*. Mechanical joints shall not be used on annealed temper copper tube in sizes larger than 7/8 inch OD size per International Mechanical Code IMC and 3/4 inch nominal size per Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC).

*Please refer to >B< MaxiPro - Tube Pressure Compatibility Table, section 16.9.

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Yes, the O-ring does compensate for small/minor scratches on the surface of the tube. However imperfections adjacent to the crimp area such as scratches, incise marks, and tubing that is not round must be avoided.
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>B< MaxiPro is suitable for continuous operating at temperatures between -40 and +121°C. It will also cope with short term excursions up to 140°C. Operating at temperatures outside this range is not acceptable and may lead to failure.
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>B< MaxiPro fittings comply with the cleanliness standards as required in the following Copper Tube Standards AS/NZS 1571.
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Vibration is a recognised cause of leaks and the system must be designed and installed to comply with all local standards and codes of practice which aim to minimise vibration.
>B< MaxiPro ttings have been extensively tested to ensure the joint will not leak as a result of system vibration and complies with the following standards:
  • ISO 14903 temperature, pressure cycling and vibration test,
  • UL 109, vibration
  • UL 207 fatigue shock test

>B< Press Stainless Steel

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Unpressed fittings are identified by pressurising the system with a pressure range of 100 kPa to 500 kPa for water. Final testing of the system should be conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.
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Yes ‑please see table on page 4 for limitations due to pressure and temperature.
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Yes, the approved tools for installation of >B< Press fittings are: Romax compact (Rothenberger), Romax 3000 (Rothenberger), Picco (Viega), PT3‑AH & 4B (Viega).
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Please see 'distance between fittings' section on page 14.
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No, some rotational movement is quite acceptable, the joint will not leak nor will it come apart under the pressure loading and during system operation. Some joint movement is good as it will allow for expansion and contraction in the pipe‑work system.
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>B< Press Stainless Steel may be used in the following applications:

  • Hot and cold potable water
  • Fire service
  • Rainwater
  • Pump circulated hot water systems
  • Chilled water
  • Steam
  • Industrial and process water
  • Vacuum lines for non medical purposes
  • Compressed air (oil free)

The application parameters listed in section 2 must be complied with

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Yes >B< Press Stainless Steel is Watermark certified by IAPMO R&T Oceana.
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>B< Press Stainless Steel fittings can be used with all stainless steel tubes that comply with AS 5200.053 Series 2
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Yes, in markets other than Australia, >B< Press Stainless Steel is trademarked and known as >B< Press Inox.
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Stainless steel, copper and copper alloys can be combined without the risk of corrosion. Please note carbon steel should not be directly connected to stainless steel as this will cause corrosion. A spacer connector of brass material should be used to separate the two dissimilar materials by at least 50mm. Flow of water should be in the direction from carbon steel to stainless steel and not vice versa.
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The product has a 25 year limited warranty. Please refer to section 1.10 for details.
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All >B< Press Stainless Steel fittings have a unique pressing indicator
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Within a stainless steel pipework system a passive layer, mostly formed from chromic oxide is created upon contact with oxygen or oxygenated water (i.e. drinking water). This layer restricts corrosion from occurring and provides high levels of hygiene, durability and water quality. For information relating to chloride levels and corrosion please refer to section 4.1.
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External corrosion of stainless steel pipework is likely to occur when exposed to high levels of chloride. >B< Press Stainless Steel fittings should not be installed in this situation. However, if there are parts of the system where this is unavoidable, appropriate precautions must be taken to minimise the risk.
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No, >B< Press Stainless Steel is not suitable for medical gas applications.
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No, >B< Press Stainless Steel fittings can be pressed only once.
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