Health & Safety
Combustion safety is a leading concern for many builders, though it is rarely considered with respect to plumbing piping. Safety-conscious builders and plumbers should consider a few key elements:
Flammability
Corzan® Piping Systems are self-extinguishing. When exposed to fire, Corzan Piping Systems will develop a char but will not worsen the fire by continuing to burn after the flame is removed. This is because Corzan has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 60, meaning that it requires 60% oxygen in the air to sustain a flame. Other non-metallic plumbing materials have an LOI of less than 20, meaning they burn easily and sustain a flame in normal air.
Toxicity of Combustion By-Products
Third party laboratory testing of inhalation toxicity using the New York State Modified Pittsburgh Protocol shows that CPVC is no more toxic than a campfire. The Biological Services Division of the United States Testing Company, now SGS, confirms that the smoke from burning CPVC is comparable to the smoke from Douglas Fir wood. Caution: Inhalation of smoke from a building fire is never recommended. While CPVC will not significantly add to the toxicity of a building fire, other building products can produce more harmful smoke.
Installation Hazards
Corzan Piping Systems are joined using a solvent welding process meaning there will be no need for torches or flames during the installation. Copper tubing generally requires the use of a flame to solder joints, which creates a significant hazard during construction. In some cases that hazard requires a fire watch be present on the jobsite, adding cost and complexity to the work. If for any reason a fire is needed for other work on your project, you can trust the fire resistance of Corzan pipe and fittings to minimize the risk of plumbing pipe ignition.
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