The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) has announced the creation of the Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee within its Building and Construction Division (BCD). This new group will focus entirely on polypropylene pressure pipe, and is a significant development for PPI in supporting this industry. PPI is the major North American trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry.

The Steering Committee focuses on two types of polypropylene pressure pipes: PP-R, polypropylene random copolymer, and PP-RCT, polypropylene random copolymer with modified crystallinity and temperature resistance. Both types of pipes are approved for potable hot and cold water plumbing systems, hydronic heating and cooling systems, as well as other applications.

PP-R and PP-RCT pipes are available in metric sizes ranging from 16 to 355 mm and IPS schedule 80 sizes ranging from 1/2 to 6 inches. The minimum hydrostatic pressure ratings are 160 psi at 73º F (1105 kPa at 23º C) and 100 psi at 180º F (690 kPa at 82º C) for plumbing applications, but pipes with different dimension ratios (DRs) can have higher or lower pressure ratings, as needed by the customer.

The recent formation of the Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee (P4 SC) reflects the rapid growth and continuing acceptance of polypropylene pressure pipe in the North American market.

“PPI has been a strong advocate and technical resource for many types of plastic pipe systems since its formation in 1950, including new materials as they develop," PPI President Tony Radoszewski said. "While not new in Europe, polypropylene pressure pipes are relatively new in North America, and PPI can serve members by helping to grow this market in a technically correct and responsible manner. Pipe producers see the value in this industry collaboration. In fact, the number of polypropylene producer members at PPI has tripled since this Steering Committee was initiated in late 2017.”

The P4 SC fits well with the BCD focus on plastic pressure pipe and tubing systems used within buildings and on building premises for applications such as plumbing, water service, fire protection, hydronic heating and cooling, snow and ice melting and ground source geothermal piping systems.

The mission of PPI’s Building & Construction Division is to promote the expanded acceptance and use of high-reliability plastic pressure pipe and tubing systems in building and construction environments by providing research, education, and code and standard development with a focus on delivering sustainable and safe plastic system solutions that enrich people's lives.

“Our first activity was to publish a new PPI webpage dedicated to PP-R and PP-RCT piping systems," PPI BCD Director of Engineering Lance MacNevin, P.E., said. "This webpage contains technical information, lists of advantages and applications, plus links to PPI member firms that produce PP-R and PP-RCT systems.”

In addition to coordinating industry research programs, developing technical publications, and creating educational information about these systems, the PPI technical staff participates within the standards development organizations (SDOs) ASTM, CSA, and NSF, code bodies IAPMO and ICC, as well as other organizations such as ASPE, CACP, PMAC and RPA.

“The new committee will engage in a wide range of activities," MacNevin said. "For instance, supporting industry efforts to update and harmonize product standards ASTM F2389 and CSA B137.11; coordinating and publishing research on proper uses of PP systems for plumbing and hydronic applications; developing online calculators for design of PP piping systems; and creating educational content about PP materials.”

New technical document now available

The first publication related to polypropylene (PP-R) pressure pipe is PPI TN-57 Proper Integration of Copper Tubing and Components with PP-R Piping Materials for Plumbing Applications, which was published in June 2018. The purpose of this technical document is to provide information regarding proper integration of copper tubing and components with random copolymerized polypropylene (PP-R) piping materials for plumbing applications.

"This document is a great example of the kind of educational content the P4 SC and PPI can generate to help the industry as a whole," MacNevin said.

The direct link to this document is plasticpipe.org/pdf/tn-57.pdf. Additional information can be found on the Plastics Pipe Institute's website, www.plasticpipe.org.