Technical Document Answers Questions About Insulating Plastic Pressure Piping Systems

The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. has published a new technical note related to the protection of plastic pressure piping materials against freezing.

The new PPI Technical Note is TN-65 “Insulation Recommendations for Plastic Pressure Piping Materials in Residential Applications.” It applies to hot- and cold-water piping materials CPVC, PEX, PE-RT, PEX-AL-PEX, PP-R and PP-RCT, and is directed to applications such as plumbing distribution, fire protection and hydronics. For details, visit plasticpipe.org.

The new technical note includes the following sections:

• Recommendations to prevent freezing of pipes in water service, plumbing, fire protection, chilled water, hydronics, snow & ice melting
• Excerpts from Model Code such as the UMC, UPC, USHGC, IMC, IPC, NPC, NSPC, CSA B214, and CSA C448 regarding piping insulation and protection
• Usage of heat trace cable
• Approved techniques for thawing frozen plastic pipes