Domestic Water: PVC Pipe
Domestic hot and cold water systems generally convey potable hot and cold water used for...
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) piping is the most widely used plastic piping material. It is available...
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Benefit of Material to Systems Application
There is more footage of PVC piping used in the world today than any other piping material mainly due to its durability, safety, ease of installation, cost-effectiveness and environmental soundness. For these reasons, PVC is an approved material for domestic cold water systems in most residential and commercial construction.
PVC piping has been in use for over 70 years. In North American and Europe there have been several Life Cycle Analysis studies done that have shown that PVC piping compared to other piping materials have a much lighter impact on the environment. PVC piping systems are recognized as acceptable for use in domestic cold water systems in all major model plumbing codes.
System Application and Material Usage
For domestic water applications solid walled pipe either Schedule 40 or constant pressure rated [(Standard Dimensional Ration (SDR)] is used. (Schedule and SDR designations indicate the pressure capacity of the pipe.)
Pipe diameters are available from ½ inch to 24 inch and in 10 or 20 foot lengths. Pipe ends are either plain end or belled. PVC pipe may be used above or below ground. If used aboveground and exposed to the sun’s rays, it is advisable to protect the pipe with an approved shield. The most commonly used protection is a coat of water-based latex paint.
For domestic water installations of PVC pipe, solvent cementing is used almost exclusively. Why? Cemented joints are easy and safe to make requiring no expensive or fancy tools. The joint if made properly is stronger than the pipe or fitting. In underground applications, solvent cementing is also used. However, elastomeric gasketed bell-end joints may be an alternate method of joining.
Schedule 40 and SDR pipe cannot be directly threaded (only schedule 80 and 120 dimensional pipe can). If threaded connections are required use unions or other socket transition adapters.
To ensure a leak-free system, completely follow the manufacturer’s joining and installation instructions.
In testing any PVC piping systems, test hydrostatically—DO NOT TEST WITH AIR.
The maximum operating temperature of PVC piping is 140°F. As such, PVC is NOT APPROVED for domestic hot water systems. Other alternate domestic water piping materials are CPVC, PEX, copper and steel. The alternate materials can be used for both cold and hot domestic water systems. If conditions of service allow the usage of PVC piping material, it likely would be the most cost-effective of any piping material. For more information visit the PPFA Website.
Manufacturers and Suppliers Participating in OPUS
ANVIL International
- ANVIL International offers a full line of domestically produced iron fittings, steel nipples,......
(click for details) Charlotte Pipe & Foundry
- Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is the only manufacturer that offers a system of cast iron, PVC......
(click for details) Embassy Group LTD
- Embassy Group Ltd. is a 100 percent member-owned, 3.2 billion dollar corporation consisting of......
(click for details) F.W. Webb Company
- F.W. Webb Company is a multi-faceted distributor of Plumbing and Heating, HVAC and Controls,......
(click for details) Ferguson
- Ferguson specializes in plumbing and heating, industrial pipe, valves, fittings, underground......
(click for details) NIBCO INC.
- Founded in Elkhart, Indiana in 1904, NIBCO INC. is a leading provider of a diverse range of flow......
(click for details) Tyco/GRINNELL Mechanical Products
- Tyco Fire & Building Products manufactures the Grinnell® line of grooved products......
(click for details) Victaulic
- Victaulic is the world's leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe joining products. For over 80......
(click for details) Weldbend Corporation
- Weldbend Corporation is a manufacturer of carbon steel welding fittings and forged steel......
(click for details) WinWholesale, Inc.
- WinWholesale is comprised of over 550 wholesale distribution locations that sell high-quality......
(click for details) Woodford Manufacturing Company
- Woodford Manufacturing offers frost-free, backflow protected commercial, residential and......
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