ABS Plastic Pipe & Fittings Guide

ABS PLASTIC PIPE & FITTINGS INFORMATIONAL & TECHNICAL GUIDE ABS Pipe: For Drain, Waste and Vent Applications WHAT IS ABS PIPE? ABS pipe and fittings are made from a thermoplastic resin called Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (or ABS for short). Strict quality control procedures for the manufacturing of ABS resins are practiced throughout the industry. In addition, third party certifiers periodi- cally audit resin manufacturers for compliance with applicable standards and quality control requirements. THE ORIGIN OF ABS PIPE ABS pipe and fittings were originally developed in the early 1950s for use in oil fields and the chemical industry. In 1959, John F. Long, a prominent Arizona builder, used ABS pipe in an experimental residence, which he built to test the latest ideas in effective, cost-cutting building supplies. Twenty-five years later, an independent research firm dug up and analyzed a section of the drain pipe. The result: no evidence of rot, rust or corrosion. In 1960, the FHA approved the use of ABS pipe for DWV applications. Since that time, it has become the leading material for DWV applications because it offers an outstanding combination of properties. Contractors have installed more than 10 billion feet of ABS pipe in residential and commercial construction. 2 ABS PIPE OFFERS MANY ADVANTAGES FOR ABS pipe remains rigid during prolonged exposure DWV APPLICATIONS to high heat such as that associated with a dishwasher Today, ABS plastic pipe is the standard material discharging water at 180°F, yet retains its high impact for many types of DWV systems. Its properties characteristics at sub-freezing temperatures. make it ideal for residential homes, manufactured • Resistance to chemicals and corrosion. ABS housing, commercial and industrial buildings, and pipe offers outstanding resistance to most household recreational vehicles. chemicals and many corrosive industrial liquids. • Ready availability. Schedule 40 ABS pipe (ABS (See pages 6 and 7 for details on specific chemicals.) pipe with the same wall thickness as standard steel pipe) • High self-ignition point. With a self-ignition and fittings are readily available through plumbing temperature of 871°F, ABS pipe is not a fire hazard supply distributors and other sources. ABS pipe is avail- in a building. If installed properly, it can be used in able in 1-1/2” diameter, 2”, 3”, 4” and 6” with solid high-rise fire-resistive construction. (See pages 8 wall or cellular core wall constructions, both of which and 9 for details on ABS pipe and fire issues.) can be used interchangeably. A full range of fittings (elbows, tees, wyes, couplings and traps) are available. • Lightweight. A 3” diameter, 10-foot long section of ABS pipe weighs under 10 pounds making it easy to handle. Installers find that less physical effort is required in handling ABS pipe, making it easy and quick to assemble. • Easy installation. Assembly involves a one-step solvent cementing process. No threading, no primer, no lead pot and torch required! (See pages 10 to 13 for complete installation guidelines.) • Lower cost than cast iron or steel pipe. ABS pipe is less expensive, foot-for-foot, than metal pipe. In addition, easier installation means faster installation time which results in lower labor costs. A DWV installation in a typical two-bath home (with about 100 joints) can be completed two to six hours faster with ABS pipe than with other materials. • Toughness. ABS pipe exhibits outstanding impact resistance which enables it to resist mechanical damage even at -40°F temperatures. ABS pipe has the strength to withstand the crushing loads of soil, slab foundations and high surface loads without collapse. It is also resistant to the impact of accidental abuse common to construction and plumbing operations. • High performance at extreme temperatures. The slow rate with which heat or cold is absorbed enables ABS pipe to retain its toughness during temperature changes – an important quality in a system that handles both hot and cold wastes. 3 ABS Pipe: The Standard for DWV Applications ABS pipe and fittings are recognized by every major the two when connecting building drains to building standards organization and regional code authority sewers by using transition cement. Consult local codes in the United States and Canada. In making the ABS and pipe manufacturers for specific instructions. resin itself, manufacturers must meet the ASTM requirements of Cell Classification 4-2-2-2-2 for pipe SPECIFICATION and 3-2-2-2-2 for fittings; a series of physical property Specifying ABS pipe is a relatively easy task as the testing on the resin. pipe wall of Schedule 40 ABS DWV pipe is the same ASTM Standards set strict specifications for the thickness as Schedule 40 (IPS) steel pipe. quality of ABS pipe and fittings. Schedule 40 ASTM When preparing specifications, it is important to F 628 and ASTM D 2661 Standards define the require- note the type of materials to be used in DWV applica- ments which must be met to be eligible for certification tions. Architects, mechanical engineers and builders by listing agencies. should incorporate ABS pipe and fittings into their With its light weight and unique properties, ABS specifications by a reference similar to the following: piping is easy to install above or below ground. Even so, “All soil lines, waste lines, vents, and building drains it’s important that you follow some basic guidelines to shall be installed with ABS pipe and fittings conform- ensure a successful installation. Always consult and ing to Schedule 40 ASTM F 628 or ASTM D 2661. adhere to local codes that regulate ABS pipe for DWV All products shall bear the seal of a nationally-recog- applications, and secure the necessary plumbing permits. nized listing or certifying agency.” SELECTION Schedule 40 ABS pipe carries a variety Selecting the proper ABS pipe and fittings is the first of informational markings. Cellular-core pipe is marked as shown here; solid pipe step to a successful installation. ABS pipe and fittings has the marking “ASTM D 2661 Schedule for DWV applications carry a variety of markings 40 ABS DWV.” Both types also feature the for easy identification: ASTM and/or CSA standards, manufacturer’s code for resin manufacturer, manufacturer’s name and trademark, nominal pipe size, lot number, and date of manufacture, as the DWV symbol, production code, third-party certifi- well as nominal pipe size and other mark- cation, listing agency logo and any other markings ings required or permitted by local codes. required or permitted by local codes. Pipe is marked Fitting markings vary slightly because on both sides at two-foot intervals; fitting markings of space limitations. vary slightly because of space limitations. When selecting ABS pipe, be sure to choose “Schedule 40 ABS DWV.” Only Schedule 40 pipe and fittings that conform to nationally recognized standards may be marked “ABS DWV.” Mixing of ABS and PVC pipe and fittings within the same system is not recommended. However, you can join 4 ABS Pipe and Fittings in Standards and Codes for DWV Applications Home DWV Installation A DWV installation in a typical two-bath home (incorporating approximately 100 joints) can be completed two to six hours faster with ABS pipe than with other DWV materials due to ABS pipe’s one-step solvent cementing process. PRODUCT STANDARDS: MODEL PLUMBING CODES: • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) • Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCAI) • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – National Plumbing Code – ASTM D 2661 (Schedule 40 solid pipe) • International Association of Plumbing & – ASTM F 628 (Schedule 40 cellular core) Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) – ASTM D 3311 (Specifies drainage pattern – Uniform Plumbing Code for fittings) • International Code Council (ICC) • Canadian Standards Association (CSA) BOCAI - SBCCI - ICBO – CSA CAN/CSA B181.1 Schedule 40 – International Plumbing Code (IPC) • National Sanitation Foundation International • Council of America Building Officials (CABO) (NSF) – One and Two Family Dwelling Code – Standard NSF 14 • National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (NAPHCC) – National Standard Plumbing Code ABS pipe and fittings are also listed • Southern Building Code Congress International by third party certifiers including CSA, (SBCCI) NSF International and IAPMO. – Standard Plumbing Code 5 ABS Pipe Offers Outstanding Chemical Resistance ABS pipe offers excellent chemical resistance in RESISTANCE TO HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS many applications. It stands up to any solution of ABS pipe is preferred for residential DWV applications ammonium chloride, calcium chloride or sodium because of its resistance to the chemicals commonly hydroxide, all of which are corrosive to many used in bathrooms and kitchens. According to studies metals. ABS pipe is also unaffected by aqueous performed by the ABS Institute, ABS pipe was shown to salt solutions, mineral acids and alkalis. be unaffected by commonly used household chemicals – including drain and bowl cleaners. Similarly, water has almost no effect. In a 24-hour immersion test, ABS pipe absorbed only 0.005% water by weight. Resistance Product Comments Effect Tide detergent 10% concentration used was far greater than None of ABS to recommended. Solution was very viscous. Household Soilax cleanser Mostly trisodium phosphate with sodium carbonate, Chemicals None sodium tripolyphosphate and ammonium chloride. At 20% the solution was saturated and was far more concentrated than would be recommended for actual service. Borax cleanser Mixture of hydrated sodium borates. Saturated None solution is about 2% concentration. Calgon water softener Sodium hexametaphosphate. None Clorox bleach Sodium hypochlorite. It is never used at full strength None as it was here. Ammonia 5% solution This Resistance Product Active Major Ingredients “Normal” “Excess” of ABS to Drano Sodium hydroxide. No effect No Drain effect & Bowl Liquid Sani-flush Hydrogen chloride, oxalic acid, alkyl No effect No effect Cleaners trimethyammonium chloride. Sani-flush Sodium bisulphate, monopotassium No effect No effect peroysulphate.

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