Beyond the product: 10 ways manufacturers can support specifiers with building design

In the world of building design and construction, plumbing manufacturers can play a key role in supporting specifiers beyond just providing high-quality products.
Whether you are a Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Consultant (MEP) or Plumbing & Heating Contractor, specifying plumbing and heating solutions can be challenging. These challenges range from keeping pace with emerging technologies and trends, to navigating technical product specifications and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Additionally, you must also be able to traverse design complexities across diverse applications.
Here we explore 10 ways that plumbing manufacturers, such as Reliance Valves, can support specifiers, solve their challenges and provide invaluable expert insight to make specification easier and ensure build success.
1. Providing CPD-accredited courses on specialist plumbing applications
One way that manufactures can support specifiers is by providing free Professional Development (CPD) courses covering specialist topics, ranging from how to design compliant hot and cold water systems, to how to safeguard people and property. Designed to enhance your skills and give you competitive advantage, these CPD-accredited courses will help you stay up to date with the latest codes, regulations and standards, as well as the latest innovations and best practice. CPD courses can either be delivered online or in-house.

2. Offering onsite support, product knowledge and training
By organising training sessions or workshops, manufacturers can support specifiers by providing you and your team with in-depth knowledge of their product offerings, including specification, commissioning and maintenance advice. This knowledge equips consultants and contractors to select the right plumbing and heating products for each project confidently. Manufacturers that employ large specification teams can deliver these sessions at your business premises, at their manufacturing site, or online depending on your preference. They can also visit your site during various stages of the build to provide onsite technical support and guidance.

3. Easily accessible technical documentation and resources
Access to comprehensive technical documentation is essential for effective design and implementation. Manufacturers can support specifiers by providing consultants and contractors with product data sheets, installation guides and vital specification details to make informed decisions. Having these resources readily available helps to streamline decision-making and troubleshoot potential issues and determine solutions effectively. As well as offering on site support, technical helpdesk experts are only ever a phone call away.
4. Design assistance to optimise efficiency and performance
Engaging manufacturers early in the design phase can help ensure more efficient designs that improve plumbing layouts and maximise system performance. Manufacturers can also support you with optimising the plumbing and heating systems integration into the overall building design. By providing Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects and content, and material take offs and estimates, manufacturers can support specifiers in ensuring that plumbing systems are effectively planned and executed, minimising design-related issues down the line.
5. Guidance and support on regulatory compliance
Staying up to date with ever changing plumbing codes and related building regulations can be time consuming. Manufacturers can support specifiers by offering guidance on compliant product selection and installation methods to help ensure that designs meet all necessary legal standards, keeping projects on track and avoiding costly revisions. Information can be obtained through attending CPD or training courses, speaking to the manufacturers specification team or reading manufacturer industry-related blogs.

6. Help build trust with your clients with quality-assured products
Consultants and contractors depend on the durability and reliability of plumbing solutions to ensure that the systems they design function effectively and safely over time. Products that meet high standards for quality not only enhance system performance but also reduce maintenance costs and minimise the risk of failures. To build trust with your clients and give them peace of mind, it’s important that you specify products from a trusted manufacturer that demonstrates a commitment to excellence through rigorous testing and research, quality control and relevant industry accreditation.
7. Developing innovative solutions that achieve your sustainability goals
As the industry moves toward more sustainable practices, manufacturers can support specifiers, consultants and contractors by offering innovative solutions such as water and energy saving devices. Solutions can range from energy-efficient underfloor heating systems to water control valves that conserve water by limiting flow rate, to the MultiSafe Leak Detector Valve that protects property and people by detecting leaks and reducing costly water wastage and damage. These sustainable options help align with sustainability design goals and help meet clients' expectations for green building practices.

8. Supply chain and logistics insights and support
Understanding the supply chain dynamics is essential for any project’s success. By providing insights into lead times, delivery schedules, and product availability, plumbing manufacturers support specifiers and consultants to plan their projects effectively and avoid unnecessary delays.
9. Sharing best practice case studies
Manufacturers can share case studies to illustrate how specific plumbing solutions have addressed similar challenges in past projects. These valuable insights can often inspire innovative approaches to solve challenges with future projects and design.
10. Using feedback to ensure future solutions meet evolving needs
Providing feedback is crucial to help manufactures better understand their products in real world applications. This can lead to improvements in product design, materials and functionality that you can leverage in future projects. It can also help manufacturers to develop innovations that address new challenges and emerging developments in modern building design.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of construction, the partnership between plumbing manufacturers and specifiers will be more vital than ever. By fostering collaboration and providing essential resources, knowledge and innovative solutions, manufacturers can help contractors and consultants navigate their challenges and create more efficient, sustainable and compliant plumbing and heating systems that stand the test of time
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