Multicouche pipe is the French version of JG Speedfit, there is another plastic pipe system widely used if France PEX, which comes in red and blue, both colours can carry hot or cold water.

Connectors for Multicouche and PEX are either compression or push fit, and they are expensive, between 5 and 12 euros for tees and tap connectors. There is a cheaper connection system for PEX pipe, which needs a special tool to fit the connectors, the tool comes as part of a kit for 300 euros!

15mm Multicouche is apparently available in some plumbers merchants in France, but I have not seen it localy. Speedfit bought in the UK is going to be the cheapest way, and in my opionion, the best way to go with any renovation or new build project. It’s the easiest system to use, it can handle low temperatures much better than copper, and it always works first time. If you are soldering copper pipes you are probably going to get the odd leak when you assemble your system, the same can be said for PEX if you are using the compression fittings. With Speedfit the only mistake you can make is not pushing the pipe in far enough to lock, if you do that then it’s just a matter of pushing the pipe fully in to any connection you see leaking.

Speedfit connects to French 22mm copper pipes with the same 22mm connector or reducer you would use in the UK. Speedfit tap connectors will connect speedfit to anything with 1/2″ BSP thread, which includes French taps, French service valves, and some of the smaller stop cocks. You can connect 15mm Speedfit to French 14mm and 16mm pipe using a compression fitting – Put a French nut and olive of the correct size on one end and a UK 15mm nut and olive on the other side. Both French and British compression fittings use 1/2″ BSP threads, but you must use the correct nut and olive (Nuts have the same thread and look almost identical, but the hole for the pipe is a different size).

JG Speedfit connectors shown are white, French Pipe is blue with brass connections/inserts. Note that the speedfit pipe is double skinned and can withstand 12 Bar of pressure, and a max temperature of 105c.

This is a good online store selling plumbing supplies in France, you can get JG Speedfit pipe and connectors delivered to the France from UK Plumbing Ltd, who only charge £4.50 for delivery when you buy online.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at 11:59 am and is filed under water. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.