ASTM WK23931 to Efficiently Standardize PVC Pressure Fittings
June 10, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems is developing ASTM WK23931, an efficient means to standardize fabricated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pressure fittings that are used in a variety of piping applications.
ASTM WK23931 - Specification for Fabricated PVC Pressure Fittings is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F17.10 on Fittings.
Some of the applications that use fabricated PVC pressure fittings include:
- Buried water systems.
- Buried and above-ground irrigation systems.
- Process piping in industrial applications.
- Plumbing applications.
- Vacuum and force-main sewer systems.
"In these applications, ordering the pipe is quite simple: call out the standard, the diameter, the pressure rating and the job of placing an order is done," said Craig Fisher, an F17 member. "With fittings, this level of standardization has not yet been achieved in the U.S. for fabricated PVC pressure fittings."
He said if a consensus standard is developed, "all the parties in the supply chain will be able to speak a common language when it comes to calling out the fitting that is needed for the job."
Consulting and municipal engineers, contractors, distributors and plumbers are all potential users of ASTM WK23931, according to Fisher.
Fisher said anyone involved in applications involving fabricated PVC pressure fittings is invited to join in the development of ASTM WK23931.
"Experienced end-users would be on the top of my list," said Fisher. "They know firsthand how difficult it is to specify a particular product when no standard exists."
Fisher said end-users would be helpful in being able to tell the task group what a fitting needs to be capable of to perform in the end-user's piping system.
In addition, Fisher said, the task group would appreciate the assistance of anyone who fabricates large diameter plastic fittings.
"Pipe is typically a highly automated process that produces extremely large volumes of product. Fabricated fittings, on the other hand, tend to be more customized and are more labor intensive. An appreciation of the differences in manufacturing processes is a critical starting point."
Source: ASTM International.