Pipe Clips

Pipe clips, also referred to as pipe clamps or pipe brackets, are fastening components used to secure and support pipework in fixed positions along walls, ceilings, floors, and structural frameworks. They hold water, gas, air, and fluid lines in place, preventing movement, vibration, and sagging across the full run of the pipe. RS NZ stocks a broad range of pipe clips in plastic, brass, stainless steel, and galvanised, covering standard plumbing sizes through to heavier industrial pipe support requirements.

Features and Benefits of Pipe Clips and Clamps

Pipe clips and clamps are designed to perform reliably across a wide range of installation environments and pipe types. Key features include:

• Highly durable and reliable across extended service life in both indoor and outdoor installations.
• Available in a wide range of sizes to suit standard pipe diameters across plumbing, HVAC, and industrial pipework systems.
• Material options include brass, polypropylene, stainless steel, and galvanised iron to match the pipe material and installation environment.
• Saddle and hinged clamp formats available for pipework that require periodic access or removal without disturbing the fixing point.
• Compatible with wall, ceiling, floor, and channel fixing configurations to suit varied installation layouts.

Types of Pipe Clips and Clamps

Pipe clips and clamps are available in several formats, each suited to a specific pipe type, installation method, or structural support requirement.

Saddle Clips and Pipe Rings

Saddle clips and pipe rings are the most common format for securing individual pipes to a wall or ceiling surface. The saddle wraps around the pipe and is fixed to the mounting surface through a central hole or two fixing points on either side. They are available in single and back-plate configurations and suit standard plumbing and conduit runs in domestic and commercial settings.

Hinged Pipe Clamps

Hinged pipe clamps open and close around the pipe without requiring the pipe to be threaded through the clamp body, making them practical for retrofitting to existing pipework or in installations where access is restricted. The hinged design also allows the pipe to be removed and refitted without disturbing the bracket fixed to the wall or structure, which is useful in maintenance-intensive environments.

Unistrut and Channel Pipe Clamps

Unistrut pipe clamps are designed to attach directly to slotted metal channels, also known as Unistrut or strut channel, providing a modular pipe support system that can be configured and reconfigured without drilling additional fixing points. These are widely used in mechanical services installations, plant rooms, and commercial buildings where multiple pipe runs need to be supported from a common framework. The channel-based system allows pipe brackets and clamps to be repositioned along the strut without new fixings, making it a flexible solution for complex or evolving pipework layouts.

By Material

Plastic and polypropylene clips are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, suited to domestic plumbing and low-pressure applications. Brass pipe clamps offer good corrosion resistance and are compatible with copper pipework commonly used in water and gas installations. Stainless steel pipe clamps provide the highest level of corrosion resistance for outdoor, coastal, and wet-area installations, while galvanised pipe clamps offer a cost-effective alternative for general outdoor and industrial use where full stainless specification is not required.

Applications of Pipe Clips & Clamps

Pipe clips and clamps are used across virtually every type of building and infrastructure project where pipework needs to be supported and secured.

• Plumbing and Water Supply: Domestic and commercial water supply lines use pipe clips and brackets to secure copper, PVC, and PEX pipework to walls and ceiling joists at code-compliant intervals throughout the building.
• Gas Installations: Gas pipework requires secure, correctly spaced clamps to prevent movement and vibration that could stress joints and fittings over time, with material selection matched to the pipe and fitting specification.
• HVAC and Mechanical Services: Commercial HVAC installations use Unistrut pipe clamps and channel brackets to support refrigerant lines, chilled water pipework, and condensate drains from structural ceilings and plant room frameworks.
• Industrial and Process Pipework: Manufacturing and processing facilities use heavy-duty galvanised and stainless steel pipe support brackets to secure process lines carrying fluids, air, and gases across plant areas.
• Compressed Air Systems: Workshop and industrial compressed air lines require regular support along their run to maintain alignment and prevent stress at connection points.

How to Choose the Right Pipe Clip or Clamp

Selecting the correct pipe clip or clamp comes down to matching the product to the pipe diameter, the installation environment, and the structural fixing method available.

• Pipe Diameter: Confirm the outside diameter of the pipe being supported and match it to the clip or clamp size. A poorly sized clip will not grip the pipe correctly and may allow movement or damage the pipe surface over time.
• Material Selection: For indoor dry environments, plastic or brass clips are generally sufficient. Galvanised pipe clamps are appropriate for outdoor and general industrial use, while stainless steel pipe clamps are the correct specification for coastal locations, wet areas, and installations where corrosion resistance over a long service life is a priority.
• Fixing Method: Confirm whether the clip will be fixed to masonry, timber, steel framing, or Unistrut channel, as this affects the clip format and the fixings required.
• Pipe Spacing and Load: For longer pipe runs, confirm the recommended support spacing for the pipe material and diameter to prevent sagging between fixing points, particularly for plastic pipework carrying hot fluids.
• Access Requirements: Where the pipe may need to be removed for maintenance, a hinged clamp or two-part clip is preferable to a saddle that requires the pipe to be threaded through during installation.

Shop Pipe Clips & Clamps at RS New Zealand

RS New Zealand is a trusted supplier and distributor of pipe clips, pipe clamps, and support brackets for plumbing, HVAC, and industrial applications, stocking products fromRS PRO,Georg Fischer, andUnistrut.

Complementary products includingcable clips and clamps and pipe fittings are also available, supporting a complete pipework installation from a single supplier. For more details on delivery services and fees, please refer to ourDelivery page.