NSF Int'l Certifies First Geothermal Pipes to CSA C448 Standard
February 4, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
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NSF International certified the first geothermal pipes to Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard C448 - Design and Installation of Earth Energy Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings.
CSA C448 is North America's only government-recognized design and installation standard for geothermal systems, systems that use the earth as a heat source and heat sink. These systems provide heating or cooling by moving heat, rather than by creating heat, like a furnace does.
While conventional heating systems rely on outdoor temperatures that often vary, underground temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year, producing the desired heating and cooling temperature year round.
NSF is the only organization that certifies polyethylene (PE) piping for geothermal end use.
NSF's certification program was developed to incorporate all of the critical aspects of geothermal piping, including requirements for performance, physical aspects, health effects and quality control.
In order to achieve NSF certification, both Trinus Pipes & Tubes Ltd. and Vanguard Pipe & Fittings Ltd. had to fulfill the requirements of NSF/ANSI Standard 14: Plastic Piping System Components and Related Materials and CSA B137.1: Polyethylene (PE) Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings for Cold Water Pressure Services, in addition to the requirements of CSA C448.
Both companies also underwent a rigorous facility audit that verified the following:
- Formulation and manufacturing processes.
- Use of authorized raw materials.
- Quality control requirements.
- Sampling of product for monitoring testing.
- Product marking.
- Product complies with standards and NSF policies.
For meeting the requirements, Trinus and Vanguard can place the CSA-C448, CSA-B137.1 mark and the cNSF-geothermal mark on their pipes. These companies are also listed on the NSF web site.
Third-party certification for geothermal piping systems provides regulators and users assurance that products are independently certified to meet requirements for geothermal end use. To maintain NSF certification and demonstrate ongoing compliance, Trinus and Vanguard will be required to pass three unannounced audits annually.
"Standards are the foundation of North America's first and most comprehensive quality program - the Global Quality GeoExchange Program," said Ted Kantrowitz, Canadian GeoExchange Coalition vice president. "We welcome this certification program by a leader in standards development and testing that offers stakeholders more options for quality."
According to Jeremy Brown, NSF code and regulatory manager, "Third-party certification is essential because it helps increase confidence and product acceptance, while helping to ensure product compliance with applicable requirements. Going forward, we will continue to play an active role in building on the quality requirements of earth energy technologies."
Source: NSF International.