PVC Pipe Association

In the 24- to 60-inch sewer pipe market, PVC and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) are direct competitors. But while both materials are used in underground systems, FRP has a significant weakness—it’s far more sensitive to deflection (ovalization) under soil pressure and traffic loads. However, you wouldn’t know it from FRP manufacturers’ literature. Take pipe stiffness, for example. The entire flexible pipe industry recognizes "PS" as the standard abbreviation for pipe stiffness. FRP, however, opts for "SN," calling it a "stiffness number." The implication? That somehow, changing the letters makes FRP pipes stiffer. But pipe stiffness is pipe stiffness—no matter what acronym is attached to it. The Reality of FRP Performance The PVC Pipe Association recently published a technical report pulling back the curtain on FRP’s real-world performance. The findings are clear: PS and SN are equivalent measurements, meaning there’s no advantage in FRP’s terminolog...

Supporting Green Infrastructure and Sustainability Goals The Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association (PVCPA) has introduced North America’s first industry-wide environmental product declaration (EPD) for PVC water and wastewater piping. Verified by NSF Sustainability, a division of the globally recognized NSF International, this EPD plays a crucial role in helping municipalities and businesses meet their green building and infrastructure goals. Developed in compliance with ISO 14025 international environmental standards, the EPD evaluates the environmental impact of seven different PVC pipe products across their entire life cycle. These include PVC pressure pipes for potable water, reclaimed water, and sewer force main systems, as well as PVC non-pressure pipes used in storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems. NSF Sustainability rigorously reviewed and validated the life cycle assessment (LCA), ensuring that all claims adhere to strict verification standards.Unmatched Longevity and Efficiency in...

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...