NSF Opens Test Lab for Chlorine Resistance of Plastic Piping
The accredited lab also has been automated to help plastic pipe manufacturers meet regulatory testing requirements with expedited turn-around times.
NSF International, an independent, public health and safety organization, has opened a new chlorine resistance testing laboratory at its Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters.
NSF’s engineers work directly with companies to meet their needs for chlorine resistance testing, R&D projects, and pre-production testing. The accredited lab also has been automated to help plastic pipe manufacturers meet regulatory testing requirements with expedited turn-around times.
Plumbing Codes and Product Standards require chlorine testing for products such as PPR (Polypropylene Random Copolymer), PEX and PE-RT (polyethylene of raised temperature resistance) pipes. The NSF laboratory evaluates all types of plastic piping from polyethylene (PE) to cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) to polypropylene (PP). NSF provides chlorine resistance testing against:
- ASTM F2023: Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of PEX Tubing and Systems to Hot Chlorinated Water, and
- ASTM F2263: Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of PE Pipe to Chlorinated Water.
The new lab is accredited by the International Accreditation Service to perform testing. Plumbing inspectors look for third-party certification to confirm that pipes have been tested and certified by an accredited laboratory.
“NSF International has built the new chlorine resistance testing laboratory to expand our testing and R&D capabilities and to provide faster turn-around times to support NSF Certification,” said Nasrin Kashefi, general manager, NSF International Plumbing Programs. “It is the only lab of its kind in the U.S that verifies performance claims of plastic pipes and evaluates long-term resistance to chlorinated water.”
NSF developed NSF/ANSI Standard 14: Plastics Piping System Components and Related Materials, which establishes minimum physical, performance, health effects, quality assurance, marking, and record keeping requirements for plastic piping components and related materials. NSF International also developed the American national public health standards for all chemicals used to treat drinking water and materials/products coming into contact with drinking water.
“NSF International is the leader in testing and certifying plastic pipe and has been for more than 45 years. By adding this state-of-the-art laboratory, NSF significantly expands its R&D services and offers companies the opportunity to work directly with NSF engineers on their chlorine resistance projects,” said Bob Frayer, director of NSF International’s Engineering Laboratory.
Source: NSF