Installation Guide
Specications for installation of Cast iron and PVC in typical specication service prepared
suggested specs:
Discussion and suggestions for improvements:
The Cast iron Soil Pipe Handbook as published by CISPI is available at no charge at www.cispi.org and contains complete installation
recommendations for cast iron soil pipe and ttings both above and below grade. A contractor can access and download this information
easily and without cost, so this simple paragraph as written will result in a proper installation if adhered to.
The specications for installation of PVC, while technically accurate, are not helpful to the average contractor as they do not maintain
copies of the referenced ASTM Standards. The references are very brief and do not include information explaining what the standards
cover.
Specications for PVC installation could be signicantly strengthened by referencing the installation instructions of the pipe and
ttings manufacturers whose products are being specied. Several manufacturers, including Charlotte Pipe, publish detailed
installation instructions in their technical literature. These instructions have specic references to the fundamental elements of both
ASTM standards and include pictures, charts, and detail drawings of burial, etc.
The manufacturer’s technical documents may be too lengthy for inclusion in a typical specication but a specication that references
the ASTM standards, the manufacturer’s recommendations and includes a brief list of items covered in those documents would more
clearly state what the engineer’s expectations are on a project.
Suggested Short-Form Specication for PVC Drain, Waste and Vent Piping Installation:
Install PVC Pipe and ttings in strict accordance with the installation recommendations of the pipe and ttings manufacturer, Appendix
X1 of ASTM D2265 (Storage and Installation Procedures for PVC Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Piping) and for buried pipe ASTM D2321
(Standard practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe for Sewers and other Gravity-Flow Applications).
Such instructions shall include but are not limited to cutting, solvent cementing and priming, joints, connections, transitions, alignment
and grade, trenching, bedding, backll and compaction, supports and spacing and allowance for thermal expansion.
Contact Charlotte Pipe Technical Services for a suggested long-form specication for underground installation of plastic pipe and for a
drawing showing a typical trench detail.
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company P.O. Box 35430, Charlotte, NC 28235 1-800-438-6091 704-348-6450
www.charlottepipe.com
Charlotte Pipe also recommends that speciers use our Plastics Technical and Installation manual, along with industry references that
consider sub-surface conditions unique to each project, and that all installations are made in accordance with ASTM D 2321 and in
compliance with applicable code requirements.
Unstable Soil
Flexible piping systems like ABS or PVC have less structural strength than
rigid metallic piping systems, which is an important consideration when
designing systems buried in unstable soil. Burial of pipe beneath a building
built on unstable soil is often accomplished by suspending piping systems
from structural slabs. The installation of plastic pipe in such situations
must be made in accordance with ASTM F2536 (Standard Guide for
Installing Plastic DWV Piping Suspended from On-Grade Slabs). Per the
standard, cellular core pipe is not permitted to be used in this application
due to its reduced pipe stiness.
Mechanical Cleaning
Maintenance and drain cleaning to remove
blockages are required to keep DWV systems
performing optimally. This is especially true
in hospitals, prisons, hotels or food service
applications. Mechanical cleaning using auger
bits or high pressure water may damage ABS or
PVC pipe and ttings.
Re: SECTION 221316 - SANITARY WASTE AND VENT PIPING
PART 3 – EXECUTION
3.2 PIPING INSTALLATION
Cast Iron P VC
N. Install cast-iron soil piping according to S. Install aboveground PVC Piping
CISPI’s “Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings according to ASTM D2665
Handbook,” Chapter IV, “Installation of
Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings.” T. Install underground PVC piping
according to ASTM D2321