A new heating plant for the Hotel Des Etrangers in Milan: the installer’s testimony on their experience with Safety-plus
In the heart of the Tortona district, between the creative frenzy of the Navigli and the energy of Milan’s new hubs, Hotel Des Etrangers is a modern and elegant three-star hotel that welcomes professionals, tourists and travellers from all over the world every day. A hotel that lives to the rhythm of the city: 91 rooms, meeting rooms, 24-hour service, a constant flow of guests and systems that must always function smoothly.
Here, comfort and continuity are essential: this is why it was necessary to completely rebuild the heating power station. A challenge that required reliability, speed of installation and technologies capable of guaranteeing adequate performance over time.
The first-hand account of Giorgio Bonfanti, the installer who chose Aquatechnik’s Safety-plus system for the new distribution network, is our starting point for describing this project. Let’s find out the point of view of who worked on the system.
Requirements: the new heating power station at the Hotel Des Etrangers
The previous heating power station had structural problems that could no longer be ignored: the pipes were corroded, compromising both water quality and the safety of the entire plant.
The new power station had to be:
- more resistant, with materials that are not subject to corrosion;
- more modern, in line with the style and efficiency of the hotel;
- easier to manage, with simple maintenance, which is important in a complex with challenging heights and tight spaces;
- more reliable, to ensure comfort in all rooms.
To achieve these objectives, an advanced, intuitive multilayer fitting system designed for quick installation was chosen: Safety-plus.
The installer’s experience: easier faster… and even enjoyable work
Giorgio Bonfanti’s story is really interesting. And we’re not just saying that because he chose our systems, but because he really talks about his experience on site, the actual installation.
A sincere testimony, without scripts, with spontaneous statements and a bit of fun.
Follow the intere testimony
The scene: six meters high, tight corners and deadlines to meet.
In the central heating power station of the Hotel Des Etrangers, work is carried out at height. Those who use traditional systems—as Mr. Giorgio explains—have to climb onto the scaffolding with a clamping device and jaws, complete each press in an uncomfortable position and repeat the procedure for each corner or junction.
With the Safety-plus system, the dynamics change completely: couple pipe and fitting on the ground → climb up with the piece ready → screw the caps.
This is a huge operational advantage, especially at heights of 5–6 meters where every movement becomes more difficult.
Un vantaggio operativo enorme, soprattutto a 5–6 metri di altezza, dove ogni movimento diventa più macchinoso.
“I prefer this system. If you make a mistake, you can recover the fitting and don’t have to throw anything away”
One of the points Giorgio emphasizes most enthusiastically is the possibility of recovering the fitting.
Thanks to the anti-unscrewable cap, the Safety-plus multilayer fitting can be opened, adjusted and, if necessary, reused. This feature is impossible with all press-fitting systems.
The installers who enjoy experimenting
No one had shown him the complete working process. All he needed were a few technical tips from the Aquatechnik team, the intuitive logic of the system and the enthusiasm to understand how an alternative system worked.
So, he started doing real tests: tests diameters up to 3 inches, leak tests, assembly and disassembly tests and on-site adjustments.
All this was done very quickly and without any complications – and with a touch of fun.
Safety-plus technology: the difference of full-bore multilayer fittings in the project
Mr. Bonfanti’s experience confirms what sets Safety-plus apart during installation and throughout the system’s life cycle.
- Pipe flaring for faster installation
Flaring:
- widens the pipe head,
- allows it to be easily fitted onto the fitting,
- ensures full flow (without restrictions),
- reduces pressure drops.
For installers, this means working with the material on a workbench and assembling it at height quickly and easily.
- Anti-slip system with cap
The PA-M cap ensures:
- mechanical locking of the pipe,
- impossibility of movement,
- total safety even in concealed junctions,
- possibility of dismantling and reusing the fitting.
It is precisely this feature that allowed Giorgio to work independently and with extreme operational flexibility.
- Advanced synthetic materials for modern systems
Safety-plus fittings are:
- 100% lead-free, compliant with the “Drinking Water” Directive 2020/2184,
- corrosion-resistant,
- impact and mechanical stress resistant,
- made of high-quality materials – PPS for the body, PA-M for the caps, EPDM O-rings.
In a system designed for a hotel with uninterrupted flows and constant thermal cycles, durability is an essential factor.
- Maximum hygiene and anti-legionella
The internal geometry of the fittings and dedicated shapes minimize water stagnation.
A fundamental advantage in a large accommodation facility where water quality is a priority.
- Installation up to 47% faster
Comparative tests have shown that the Safety system requires significantly less time than steel installations.
Mr. Giorgio’s testimony confirms this in the field: the main line was completed in two days.
The result: 70 rooms served, zero critical issues after two years
The project involved supplying 70 rooms and the hotel’s internal services. In just two days, the main network was installed, tested, and put into operation.
“And they’ve already been running for two years, smoothly, both hot and cold.”
The system continues to operate without problems, with stable performance.
The Safety-plus difference for the hotel and service sector
The heating station power of a hotel such as Des Etrangers is not just any system: it is a complex infrastructure that must withstand intense rhythms, peaks in use and absolute continuity of service.
The testimony of installer Giorgio Bonfanti confirms how much the choice of fittings system can affect:
- ergonomics for the installer,
- actual execution times,
- operational safety,
- system durability.
And Safety-plus proved to be the perfect ally for this project. Much more than a multilayer system: it is a solution that changes the way of working. It is faster, more convenient, safer and more modern.
Created for those who work every day on systems that require advanced solutions and reliable results, without neglecting simplicity of installation. Simplify your work, just like Giorgio did!
| Feature | Safety-plus | Traditional fitting / press-fitting |
|---|---|---|
| Junction technology | Pipe-flaring and anti-unscrewing cap | Pressing with jaws |
| Fluid flowing | Total flow, without restrictions | Internal reduction with pressure drops |
| Operation at height | Coupling of pipe/fitting on a workbench and assembly at height | Need to climb with clamping device and jaws, pressing in an uncomfy position |
| Installation speed | Up to 47% faster (fewer operations, intuitive procedures) | Slower installation: multiple pressings, bulky equipment |
| Fitting recoverability | Yes: the fitting can be disassembled and reused by unscrewing the cap | No: if you make a mistake, the fitting must be thrown away |
| Joinction
reliability |
Hydraulic and mechanical seal guaranteed by conicity + 2 O-rings | Seal dues only to correct pressing |
| Durability | PPS/PA-M synthetic materials, corrosion and impact resistant | Metal parts subject to corrosion, limescale, and deformation |
| Hygiene and anti-legionella | Internal geometry designed to minimize stagnation | Greater risk of stagnation, especially with complex geometries |
| Material preparation | none | Pipe calibration before each coupling |
| Equipment required | Pipe-flaring machine with specific extractor for each diameters and locking spanner | Clamping device and jaws for each diameter |
| Convenience for the installer | Smoother, safer and less heavy work (especially at height) | More demanding, processing and less ergonomic operations |
The differences between Safety-plus multilayer fittings and traditional systems
