Literature
Publications
PVC Sch. 80 flanged-end pipe
The listed associations have dozens of useful technical publications and visual presentations on their websites. Click on the association site that will be most useful.
PP valve box for use in dual containment piping system
International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD):
This site contains dozens of articles on plastics in general as well as plastic piping systems in particular from their signature and highly recognized publication The IAPD Magazine. In addition there is a listing of educational tools that offer basic information on dozens of various plastics for piping as well as sheet, rod and tubing.
IAPD Plastics Educational Materials
Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA):
This site has technical and installation workbooks, videos, manuals and white papers (all of which can be downloaded) on the most commonly used plastic piping system materials for residential, commercial and industrial construction—-this includes Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC), Polyethylene (PE), Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX), Polypropylene (PP) and Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) piping systems.
Fabrication of CPVC valve box
Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI):
Everything you want to know about PE piping is on this site. In addition there are several excellent technical articles regarding most plastic piping materials. One of the most frequently used technical reports shown on the site is TR-19/2007, Chemical Resistance of Thermoplastic Piping Materials. TR-19 lists the chemical resistance capability of ten plastics with hundreds of chemical agents.
PPI General Publications
Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Associaion (Uni-Bell):
If you are designing or installing PVC underground piping, this is the site to refer. This site lists over two dozen publications and videos concerning buried PVC piping systems. Uni-Bell also lists on the site for purchase the industry’s “Bible” of underground PVC piping usage—The Handbook of PVC Pipe.
Uni-bell Handbook/PVC Pipe Association
Opus:
The Mechanical Contractor Association of American (MCAA) through its Mechanical Contracting Education Research Foundation (MCERF) has created a site that includes plastic piping as well as other piping materials. The site lists 17 different piping material (8 are plastic), 24 different system applications and 17 pipe joining methods. The beauty of the site is that an inquirer can research a particular piping material and/or application and not only get a summary of the requested material and application but also will list which piping material is recommended for which system application. This easy to use site is an excellent guide to those who are just learning about piping materials as well as experienced engineers and installers who are open and receptive to new piping materials and applications. The only defect of the site is that it doesn’t list most of the piping product manufacturers but rather lists only those product manufacturers which belong to the MCAA. But using the sustainable piping systems website (which lists over 100 product manufacturers) in conjunction with this site should solve this imperfection.
There are many other sources for gathering information about plastic piping systems such as searching the web for particular manufacturing websites, several of which contain useful technical information. However, for those who want a convenient and comprehensive source of readily accessible information on plastic piping systems, these six listed sites should fit the bill.
