Is CPVC the Best Solution?

For the past 30 years, CPVC has been utilized in fire sprinkler installations for apartment buildings, hotels/motels, residential facilities, and light hazard occupancies due to many factors. Some reasons include:

• Ease of Installation
• Resistance to Corrosion
• Cost of installation

Do these features outweigh the risks involved with the installation of CPVC? Over the past two years, more failures have been brought to the surface involving issues with CPVC. Environmental stress cracking (ESC) has been found as the main cause in over 80% of CPVC failures due to contamination on the inside lining of the CPVC piping. Laboratory research using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy concludes the main cause of contamination is from ABF pipe and the amines that exist in the piping to cause stress cracks.

While the failure rate of CPVC is low, there is still risk associated with this piping. Tap into Ahern’s expertise in NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] codes and sprinkler system design when deciding on which system is best for your facility. Contact us to discuss your next project.