PVC Pipe Association

Over Ten Million Quality Control Tests Ensure Safety For more than 70 years, PVC pipe has been one of the most rigorously tested and trusted materials in North America. Every stage of its production, use, and disposal has been evaluated and certified by both government and independent regulatory bodies, ensuring it meets the highest safety and quality standards. PVC pipe complies with all health and safety regulations under the U.S. and Canadian Safe Drinking Water Acts, alongside other international guidelines. Regulatory agencies such as NSF International and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversee its use through mandatory testing, reinforcing its reliability for public water systems. Moreover, top health organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, have confirmed that PVC is safe for a wide range of applications. A Clean and Safe Solution for Water Systems PVC is widely approved for use in water dis...

Developed by the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, this guide provides field installation instructions for gasketed joint PVC pressure pipes. Relevant standards include AWWA C900, C907, C909, ASTM D2241, and ASTM F1483. For detailed guidance, consult AWWA C605, Manual M23, or Uni-Bell’s Handbook of PVC Pipe: Design and Construction. Uni-Bell, established in 1971, promotes PVC pipe research, technical support, and proper use. Installation advice is provided as guidance, not warranty; warranty inquiries should be directed to manufacturers. Pipe Delivery and Inspection Inspect pipe shipments for damage and verify quantities against the shipping list. Note damages or missing items on the bill of lading and notify the shipper. Damaged items should be set aside. Unloading Unload carefully using a forklift or front-end loader with forks long enough to support bundles. For manual unloading, remove one pipe at a time and block the shipment to prevent rolling. Storage Store unit packages on level g...

This guide by the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association outlines the design and installation of gasketed PVC fittings for potable water, force main, pressure irrigation, and reclaimed water systems. It covers fittings for PVC pipes up to 60 inches in diameter but excludes solvent-welded and fusible PVC fittings. Manufacturing Methods PVC fittings are made using three methods, all with gasketed push-on joints that meet or exceed the pipe’s pressure rating. 1. Fabricated Fittings Constructed from PVC pipe meeting AWWA C900 standards, these fittings include thermoformed bends, couplings, and reinforced structures. Available sizes range from 4 to 60 inches with pressure classes equal to or greater than the connected pipe. Products include tees, bends, reducers, and adapters. 2. Injection-Molded Fittings Made per AWWA C907 by injecting PVC into molds, these fittings feature a wall thickness 25% greater than DR18 pipe and meet specific strength standards. They are available in 4 to 12 inches and Cla...

This paper critically examines the hydraulic performance claims made by the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) regarding ductile iron (DI) pipes, specifically concerning energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in comparison to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. DIPRA suggests that DI pipes, with their larger inside diameter (ID), lower pumping costs when compared to PVC. However, this analysis reveals that DIPRA's calculations and materials contain misleading data and unfounded assumptions, resulting in skewed comparisons that do not reflect the real-world performance of these materials. Key Areas of Analysis 1. Inside Diameter Comparison DIPRA’s comparisons often pair DI pipes with larger ID and lower pressure classes against higher-pressure class PVC pipes, leading to inaccurate efficiency claims. An equivalent pressure class (PC) should be considered in such comparisons. For example, DIPRA compares DI PC200 with PVC PC235, which inherently has a sma...

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,700 compounds made up of fluorinated carbon chains. PFAS are commonly used across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, cosmetics, and electronics, and are found in products like firefighting foam and non-stick cookware. Some PFAS compounds have been identified as harmful to human health. This document aims to reassure utilities and their customers that PVC pipes do not contribute to the presence of PFAS in drinking water. Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water PFAS can contaminate drinking water due to widespread environmental pollution. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established national primary drinking water standards for six types of PFAS, limiting the permissible amounts in potable water systems. PFAS: Not From PVC Materials or Manufacturing PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is primarily made from PVC resin, combined with other ingredients to form a compound that is...

This document has been developed by the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association to serve as a comprehensive guide for the design and installation of gasketed PVC fittings. These fittings are used in various applications, including potable water systems, force mains, pressure irrigation, and reclaimed water systems. The guide specifically addresses gasketed PVC fittings compatible with different dimension ratios and outside diameters of PVC pipes up to 60 inches. It is important to note that this document does not cover solvent-welded or fusible PVC fittings. Types of PVC Fittings The following are the various types of fittings available for use with gasketed PVC pipes: Tees: These fittings have an outstanding leg positioned at a 90° angle to the main pipe, allowing for the creation of a T-shaped junction. Crosses: Crosses have two outstanding legs that are opposite each other, forming a plus (+) shaped intersection. Bends: Bends are used to change the direction of the pipeline. Standard angles a...

The PVC Pipe Association (PVCPA) has developed an online calculator specifically designed to determine the cyclic life of sewer force mains. This tool is based on research conducted by Steven Folkman, Ph.D., at Utah State University, with results published in the ASCE Pipelines 2020 proceedings. Key Features of the Calculator The calculator allows users to input several critical parameters, including: Pipe Dimension Ratio (DR): The DR of the pipe, which is essential in assessing the pipe's structural capacity. Maximum Recurring Surge Pressures: The highest surge pressures that the pipe experiences during regular operation. Minimum Recurring Surge Pressures: The lowest surge pressures experienced. Number of Surge Occurrences Per Day: The frequency of surge events impacting the pipe. Output and Functionality The primary output of the calculator is the cyclic life of the pipe, which reflects how long the pipe can withstand the varying surge pressures before failure. The tool can ac...