NSF International’s Plumbing Program recently introduced a
new geothermal listing for piping products that will ultimately produce
cost-effective and environmentally-friendly methods to heat and cool
buildings. NSF’s new geothermal listing service tests and
certifies Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) piping system products.
NSF International’s Plumbing Program recently introduced a
new geothermal listing for piping products that will ultimately produce
cost-effective and environmentally-friendly methods to heat and cool
buildings.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
geothermal systems average 40% greater efficiency than air-source heat pumps,
48% better than natural gas furnaces and 75% better than oil furnaces.
NSF’s new geothermal listing service tests and certifies
Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) piping system products that meet the
following requirements:
*Final performance of the
product, which includes testing to ASTM D3035 or AWWA C901
requirements for short-term burst, pressure testing and environmental stress
crack resistance.
*Physical properties of the material used
in production-this
testing includes density, flexural modulus, tensile strength, and a PENT
of at least 192 hours as required by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) Part
Q.
*Long-term hydrostatic stress
test-includes evaluation of materials to the requirements of
the PPI’s Technical Report 3 (PPI TR-3) as well as testing to European and
Asian temperature and pressure requirements.
*Health effects testingto ensure compliance with Section 4 of NSF/ANSI Standard 61:Drinking
Water System Components-Health Effectsif products are to be
used in potable water applications.
“This new certification solution provides pipe
manufacturers added value and credibility behind the products that bear the
NSF-geothermal mark (see above)” said Nasrin Kashefi, general manager, NSF
Plumbing Programs. “By having the NSF-geothermal mark prominently
displayed on products, manufacturers can demonstrate their commitment to the
environment, while reassuring consumers that all testing requirements have been
met.”
For more information regarding the new geothermal listing,
contact Tim Haenftling, technical manager, NSF Water Systems at (734) 913-5768
or haenftling@nsf.org. For more information on Centennial Plastics’ certification, contact David
Schnase at (402) 462-2227.