HIP! EX - The Event for Plumbing Students

A visit to the home of Bolton Wanderers FC had young plumbers flocking to pick up the latest information from the UK Copper Board. The HIP! EX event, aimed at final year plumbing students, attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic plumbers and teachers all wanting information on copper tube and fittings products. Some were not familiar with flame-free fittings and a challenge was devised to give them some hands-on experience.

Visitors to the stand were not shy in putting themselves forward for the challenge: to construct a 'figure of eight' using copper tube and push-fit fittings in the quickest time. Over 200 young plumbers took on the challenge, each one timed by UK Copper Board personnel, and the fastest on each of the two days won a prize.

The winner for Day 1 was Dan Ross of North Nottingham College, who recorded a superb time of 17.72 seconds. On Day 2, Dan Millichip of Worcester College completed the challenge in a blistering 15.95 seconds, commenting: Copper push-fit fittings are so quick and easy to complete, you can't fail with them'.

Click here to see a recreation of Dan’s astounding technique