As press adoption spreads across North America, Viega continues to focus on producing consistent, quality press technology that measures up to industry standards. That means collaborating with organizations like ASTM International and ASME to ensure that engineers can specify Viega products with confidence.

In August of 2024, the publication of the ASTM B1029: Standard Practice for Press-Connect Joints with Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Press Fittings was released. Viega took part in ASTM’s rigorous consensus process to document best practices for creating press-connect joints. The result? An ASTM B1029 certification that sets an industry standard for reliability, efficiency and adoption of press-connect technology in its approved applications industry-wide.

The certification encourages engineers, specifiers, and installers to adopt ASTM B1029 language and practices into their projects to take advantage of the benefits offered by press-connect technology. The standard provides a clear framework for achieving optimal joint integrity and system performance.

B31 Board adopted ASTM F3226 Metallic Press-Connect Fittings as a listed component. This includes Viega ProPress® and MegaPress® systems.

ASTM F3226 is a standard with the highest performance requirements for metallic press fittings on the market. ASME B31, Code for Pressure Piping, is a standard developed, published, and maintained by ASME. The code covers several sections, including Power Piping, Process Piping and Building Services Piping. It is needed particularly in scenarios involving high-pressure, critical applications and industries with stringent safety standards. Viega’s ProPress® and MegaPress® (copper, carbon steel and stainless steel) press fitting systems are now included in the B31.1, B31.3 and B31.9 listed component tables. The inclusion of press fittings in the listed components tables of the ASME B31 codes provides engineers with the guidelines needed to safely design piping systems that conform to the ASME codes without the need for further engineering analysis.

A note of importance is that these approvals apply across ProPress® copper and MegaPress® systems. While users may already be familiar with either ProPress® or MegaPress®, they can feel confident that the same technology, training and testing is implemented across each system – which can also be pressed with the same tool.

Viega continues to expand its offerings to meet its clients’ growing needs across a wide variety of industries. It became the first U.S. press manufacturer to make an NSF-approved transition press coupling to join dissimilar materials. The new line of Mega Press® Transition Couplings can be used to transition between galvanized or carbon steel pipe and copper, PEX or stainless steel in seconds. It’s the first press coupling of this kind that can be used in commercial, residential and industrial applications.

Products are available in ½″ to 2″ sizes:

• Viega MegaPress® ZL Bronze IPS to CTS Transition Coupling (Model: 4813.4ZL) – This transition coupling includes a factory-installed EPDM sealing element and is ideal for transitioning between IPS and CTS piping systems, including PEX.
• Viega MegaPress® ZL Bronze IPS Transition Coupling (Model(s): 4815ZL and 5915ZL) – These couplings include an option for factory-installed EPDM or FKM sealing elements and are ideal for joining carbon steel to stainless steel or galvanized steel to stainless steel.

All Viega MegaPress® Transition Couplings are made of zero-lead (ZL) bronze that can be used to connect dissimilar metals while reducing the risk of galvanic corrosion. Like all Viega metal systems, the MegaPress® Transition Couplings also feature Smart Connect® technology to quickly detect and resolve unpressed connections. Smart Connect technology allows installers to see visible leak paths if a connection is left unpressed or improperly pressed. The couplings with EPDM sealing elements carry NSF-61 and NSF 372 listings for potable water.

These new transition fittings were designed to make simpler press connections that can be completed with the same tool as traditional Viega ProPress®, and MegaPress® fittings.