How to Guide

108
Plastics Technical Manual
In any test, proper safety procedures and equipment
should be used, including personal protective equipment
such as protective eyewear and clothing. Installers
should always consider local conditions, codes and
regulations, manufacturer's installation instructions, and
architects'/engineers' specifications in any installation.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
or a file. Mark cut end with an insertion line similar to
uncut pipe.
ABS and PVC In-Slab
Installations
ABS and PVC can be installed embedded in a concrete slab.
PVC or ABS is unaffected by direct contact with concrete
and thermal expansion is not an issue in standard DWV ap-
plications. Care must be taken to properly support any piping
system when pouring concrete so that the weight of the concrete
does not affect the pipe system and that any heat generated by
curing concrete does not exceed the capability of the system.
Some codes require sleeving or protection of piping at slab
penetrations. While not necessary due to any corrosion issues,
always follow applicable code requirements on any installation.
Testing and Inspection
Once the roughing-in is completed on a plastic piping system,
it is important to test and inspect all piping for leaks.
Concealed work should remain uncovered until the required
test is made and approved. When testing, the system should
be properly restrained at all bends, changes of direction, and
the end of runs.
There are various types of procedures used for testing
installed plastic systems. However, a water or hydrostatic
test is a technically superior test method for inspecting
a completed plastic piping system installation and is the
testing procedure recommended by Charlotte Pipe. It is
also the most recommended test in most plumbing code
standards. The purpose of the test is to locate any leaks at
the joints and correct them prior to putting the system into
operation. Since it is important to be able to visually inspect
the joints, a water test should be conducted prior to closing
in the piping or backfilling of underground piping.
Testing DWV System
Water Test
The system should be properly restrained at all bends,
changes of direction, and the end of runs. To isolate each
floor or section being tested, test plugs are inserted through
test tees in the stack. All other openings should be plugged
*Data and language courtesy of Hultec
Unstable Soil
Burial of pipe under slab in soils that are unstable is
often accomplished by suspending the piping systems from
structural slabs. The use of plastic pipe in such installations
must be in accordance with ASTM F 2536. Cellular core pipe
is specifically not permitted for these applications.
CTS CPVC Under-Slab
Installations
FlowGuard Gold
®
and ReUze
®
CPVC is suitable for under-
slab installations when approved by prevailing plumbing and
building codes.
When performing under-slab installations, it is important
that the pipe be evenly supported. Charlotte Pipe recommends
pressure testing with water prior to backfilling and pouring
the slab. Backfill should be clean earth, sand, gravel or other
approved material, which must not contain stones, boulders
or other materials that may damage or break the piping. The
pipe should be protected from damage by tools and equipment
used to finish the concrete. Because CPVC does not react to
concrete or stucco and is inert to acidic soil conditions, it does
not need to be sleeved. NOTE: Some code jurisdictions require
sleeving at slab penetrations. Verify code requirements prior
to installation.
Do not bend FlowGuard Gold
®
and ReUze
®
1/2” and 3/4” pipe
in a radius tighter than 18”; 1” pipe should not be bent in a
radius tighter than 24”.
Check applicable plumbing and building codes before making
under-slab installations.
In-Slab Installations
CPVC is not suitable for in-slab radiant heating systems.
CPVC piping can be installed embedded in a concrete slab,
because CPVC does not react to concrete or stucco and it is
inert to acidic soil conditions.
BAR& BLOCK ASSEMBLY
2 x 4 BLOCK
PUS
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