Published on Sep 21, 2022|Updated on Sep 5, 2025|By: Gary McCreadie

Brazing Alternatives for the Progressive HVACR Technician

Brazing Alternatives

Brazing Alternatives for the Progressive HVACR Technician

Key Takeaways
  • Fire Safety Concerns: Hot work fires cause significant damage annually, leading many facilities to restrict torch use and require lengthy fire watches
  • Health Considerations: Brazing fumes contain harmful substances that pose risks, especially in sealed environments like data centers or medical facilities
  • Proven Alternatives: Products like PRO-Fit Quick Connect, AC Smart Seal External, FixQuick, and Rapid Locking System offer reliable solutions for specific repair scenarios
  • Strategic Application: Each alternative has optimal use cases – from emergency repairs in tight spaces to protecting corroded evaporators from further flame damage

If you mention to the HVAC/R hardcores that there might be alternatives to brazing (that actually work), you might get one of those mad face emojis thrown at your comment! The fact is, brazing creates a solid connection that lasts for many years and remains a fundamental skill that all HVAC/R professionals need to master.

One thing I’m not convinced of is the “brazing is an art” comment. Art is a unique expression, and brazing is supposed to be a repeatable process with the same result over and over.

Okay, some braze joints look like they should be in an art gallery, but not for a good reason. There are some in the social media world that tend to think I don’t like brazing or perhaps don’t believe in it. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I just enjoy looking at and experimenting with new technology at any level to boost my knowledge in the HVAC/R trade. I have been impressed with the SolderWeld products lately and how well the rods flow.

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Why Consider Brazing Alternatives?

There are compelling reasons why brazing alternatives have been developed and will continue to evolve. I remember one facility I worked at many years ago that required a 4-hour fire watch after the torch went out. I understand why – the building was constructed with wooden beams.

Although I understand the reasoning, that long of a fire watch is extremely time-consuming and not practical for busy techs in most situations. Other reasons why brazing alternatives have been developed also relate to fire hazards. Fire is dangerous, fire is expensive, and “hot work” fires happen more often than you might think.

Here is a link to a PDF with more information on hot work fires.

You may now understand why more and more buildings are tightening rules around torch lighting. There are also health issues that surround brazing, especially indoors with limited ventilation. Brazing and welding fumes in the air contain many substances that we shouldn’t breathe in.

I used to work in many data centers; these rooms are typically sealed to keep the environment at a constant temperature and humidity with specialized equipment. If I were brazing in these rooms, the fumes would linger for hours, leaving myself, the IT staff, and other occupants exposed to harmful vapors. This is particularly concerning when you consider indoor air quality standards that facilities must maintain.

Check out this article from the University of Alabama on brazing and health.

Some environments – medical, pharmaceutical, or other sensitive industries – may not allow brazing due to the surrounding environment and contamination concerns.

Field-Tested Alternatives

When I discuss brazing alternatives, I can only talk about the products I have personally tested and put my hands on. Let me walk you through a few of these solutions.

PRO-Fit Quick Connect

The RectorSeal PRO-Fit Quick Connect is the first one we’ll tackle here. My experience at the time of writing this article is only on a bench – I haven’t field installed one yet.

However, I have had many peers online talk positively about them and their use in situations such as repairs in attics or crawl spaces where it may be difficult to get a set of torches into.

Like all pipe fitting procedures, the pipe must be thoroughly cleaned before use. The pipe must also be marked with a depth gauge to ensure the “push” fitting is inserted to the correct depth on the pipe. I can see an advantage to using the PRO-Fit in scenarios where a quick repair is needed.

Where a torch can’t be lit or if the time to pull a fire permit, collect torches, nitrogen, and all other fire mitigation gear would put the environment to be cooled or heated in jeopardy – such as a server room, lab, or another critical environment.

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Gary McCreadie

Gary McCreadie is an HVAC tech, the creator of hvacknowitall.com, the HVAC Know It All Podcast, and owner of McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services

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