What is CPVC Pipe?
CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) is a strong, durable material that has been successfully used in plumbing applications around the world for more than 50 years.
Originally developed by Lubrizol Advanced Materials, CPVC’s inherent chemical resistance, reliability and ability to stand up to high heat and pressure make it an ideal material for residential, commercial and even industrial piping and fire sprinkler systems.
In fact, FlowGuard® CPVC residential hot and cold plumbing systems installed more than 50 years ago are still reliably delivering clean, safe water to families around the world.
Why CPVC is Ideal for Residential Plumbing Systems
Following are just a few of the reasons why homes around the world trust CPVC pipe and fittings:
Safe, Clean Water Quality: Major international agencies, such as NSF International, test and approve materials for use in potable water applications. These approvals guarantee that a CPVC potable water system does not transfer any harmful and dangerous products to the drinking water it transports. In the case of FlowGuard CPVC, our material is approved for all potable water systems, and our compounds do not contain plasticizers, flame retardants, bio-stabilizers or anti-static agents.
Joint Strength: CPVC pipe and fittings are fused together using solvent cement. Solvent cement is a substance that chemically fuses a pipe to a fitting at the molecular level. Unlike glue used in other piping systems, solvent cemented joints become the strongest part of the pipe system, and if properly installed don’t break apart.
Chlorine Resistance: Chlorine-based disinfectants, especially chlorine dioxide can cause pipe failures in PPR (green pipe), PEX and metallic pipes. However, CPVC is unaffected by the chlorine and will never fail thanks to the additives used to keep your water clean and safe.
Biofilm Resistance: Water distribution systems are ideal for bacterial growth, but CPVC helps to keep water pure. Multiple international studies have confirmed that CPVC consistently outperforms copper and all other plastic piping materials, especially PPR, with regard to its ability to resist the formation of biofilms.
Fire Resistance: CPVC is fire resistant and will not support combustion. In other words, CPVC won’t help to spread a fire, unlike other plastics that can catch fire and continue to burn after the source has been removed. FlowGuard CPVC earned the best fire classification rating possible for a non-metal product due to its low flame and smoke development characteristics.
Not All CPVC is the Same
It’s important to point out that not all CPVC piping is the same. Often CPVC systems that don’t hold up over time are because of poor material quality or improper installation. As the leader and pioneer in CPVC technology, FlowGuard Pipe and Fittings are the most well established and best performing polymer piping products in the market.
For questions about using FlowGuard CPVC pipe in residential plumbing systems, contact our team of piping systems consultants.