Increasing concerns for health and safety along with the need for sustainable building materials has resulted in a unique industry challenge — finding a domestic water piping solution that is safe and sustainable while also being economical and reliable.
The answer for many professionals is transitioning from copper to hybrid Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX piping systems to leverage the durability, corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness of these products, which have also been proven effective in commercial domestic water systems for health, safety, performance, and longevity.
While Schedule 80 CPVC offers robust wall thickness and high pressure ratings for main piping in sizes 2 1/2 inches and larger, flexible PEX is ideal for risers and unit piping in sizes 2 inches and down. This combination provides a complete system from main to fixture that offers installation efficiencies and job site safety while providing a clean, reliable, sustainable solution that is designed to last a lifetime.
Copper concerns
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Water Drinking Act, which determines safe levels of chemicals in drinking water through Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs). The MCLG for copper is 1.3 ppm, as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems exposure above the MCLG causes negative health effects.
Copper is specifically called out by the EPA in 40 CFR 141.80 and 141.86 with limits on allowable copper in drinking water due to its potential toxicity and leaching issues. Copper is known to corrode over time and is a main source of copper particles entering the food and water we consume.
The EPA also created the Lead and Copper Rule to inform the public about the dangers of exposure to excess copper and copper poisoning, which poses serious health risks, including gastrointestinal distress and, over time, anemia as well as disruption to the liver and kidneys.
Safety of polymers
Both Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX are proven safe for drinking water systems. They are manufactured and tested to NSF/ANSI 61: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects, which establishes minimum requirements for chemical contaminants and impurities indirectly imparted to drinking water from products, components, and materials used in drinking water systems.
This standard tests for thousands of chemicals to ensure safety. In fact, according to a case study on the Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of PEX and Copper Plumbing Systems in the Journal of Cleaner Production, “Switching from copper piping to PEX piping improves human health impact substantially; human health (cancer) for 99% and human health (noncancer) for 42%.”
Sustainability factors
The study also states that “energy and global warming potential reductions for PEX piping compared to copper piping are 44% and 64%.” It further states, “acidification potential, water intake, criteria air pollutants, smog formation potential, ozone depletion potential, ecological toxicity, and habitat alteration categories improve from 21% to 85% by electing PEX pipes over copper.”
In addition, the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) Technical Report TR-52 proves the exceptional resiliency of PEX pipe in freeze/thaw cycles, which helps to reduce the risk of system damage, repipes, and unnecessary product waste.
Moreover, PEX is recyclable through specialized processes. In fact, a partnership between four corporations — Neste, Borealis, Uponor and Wastewise — began an initiative aimed at the chemical recycling of PEX waste from pipe production operations into feedstock for new PEX pipe production.
For Schedule 80 CPVC, two-thirds of the resin by weight comes from salt extracted from seawater (brine), which is one of the most abundant resources on Earth. Additionally, CPVC can be recycled during the manufacturing process as well as the aftermarket of finished products.
It is important to note that while copper is recyclable, its mining process is resource-intensive and contributes to significant environmental degradation while also resulting in generations of significantly more greenhouse gas emissions. Also, copper is a limited resource that should be reserved for other applications, such as electrical grids, where alternatives are not available. Additionally, the rigid nature of copper makes it susceptible to damage in freeze/thaw cycles, adding to repipes and product waste.
Additional benefits of polymers
Installation efficiencies — Flexible PEX bends with each change in direction, eliminating the need for many fittings. The previously referenced case study showed PEX takes about half the time to install compared to copper. The study revealed PEX offered labor savings of $12,364.88 over copper and an overall usage savings of $109,711.
Lighter weights — Both Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX are lighter compared to copper, providing greater job site safety for installers. For example, a 300-foot coil of 1/2-inch PEX weighs about 18 pounds, whereas the same amount of copper pipe weighs around 85 pounds.
Material costs — Because copper is a traded commodity, the material price fluctuates regularly. This is especially significant on large commercial projects that can span years from the specification time to the actual installation. Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX have much more stable material costs and are typically lower compared to copper.
Theft concerns — The risk of copper theft on job sites is high, posing time and cost challenges for projects trying to meet construction schedules and tight budgets. Using Schedule 80 CPVC and PEX eliminates this concern.
For more information about polymer piping systems, visit the Plastics Pipe Institute, the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association or uponor.com.
Kim Bliss is the technical and marketing content manager at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. She can be reached at kim.bliss@georgfischer.com.
