4.1 The requirements of this specification are intended to provide information to select, design and install thermoplastic, water-pressure piping systems for use outside buildings. Materials covered in this specification are Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe fittings.

1.1 This guide is intended for use in the selection, design, and installation of thermoplastic water systems for use outside buildings. For specific projects, a thorough review of this guide is recommended for the purpose of selecting specific materials, methods of joining, system design factor, and any special procedures deemed necessary to assure a satisfactory system.

1.2 It is recommended that governing codes and project specifications be consulted prior to the use of this guide. Nothing in this guide should be construed as recommending practices or systems at variance with governing codes and project specifications.

1.3 Units-The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. The pipe, fittings, and joining materials shall meet the requirements of one or more of the following component product standards listed in 1.3.1 through 1.3.4 to the extent applicable. Those pipe standards followed by (a) are outside diameter-controlled pipes. Those followed by (b) are inside diameter-controlled pipes.

1.3.1 For poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastic piping components: 

 
Title of Specification

ASTM
Designation

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40, 80
 and 120 (a)

D1785

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe (SDR-PR) (a)

D2241

Threaded Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings,
 Schedule 80

D2464

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule
 40

D2466

Socket-Type Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe
 Fittings, Schedule 80

D2467

Solvent Cements for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe
 and Fittings

D2564

Bell-End Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Pipe (a)

D2672

Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Tubing (a)

D2740

Socket-Type Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Line
 Couplings

D3036

Joints for Plastic Pressure Pipes Using Flexible Elastomeric
 Seals

D3139

Elastomeric Seals (Gaskets) for Joining Plastic Pipe

F477

PVC and ABS Injected Solvent Cemented Plastic Pipe
 Joints

F545

1.3.2 For Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl chloride) (CPVC) plastic piping components: 

Title of Specification

ASTM
Designation

Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80 (a)

F441/F441M

Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80

F439

Solvent Cements for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe and Fittings

F493

1.3.3 For polyethylene (PE) plastic piping components: 

 
Title of Specification

ASTM
Designation

Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe, (SDR-PR) (b)

D2239

Plastic Insert Fittings for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe

D2609

Socket-Type Polyethylene Fittings for Outside Diameter-
 Controlled Polyethylene Pipe (a)

D2683

Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Tubing (a)

D2737

Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SDR-PR) Based on
 Controlled Outside Diameter (a)

D3035

Butt Heat Fusion Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Fittings for
  Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe and Tubing

D3261

1.3.4 For poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) Plastic Piping Components Issued By the American Water Works Association: 

C900 Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Pressure Pipe,

4-inch through 12-inch, for Water (a)

C901 Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe, Tubing

and Fittings, ¹/₂-inch through 3-inch, for Water

1.3.5 Pipes with wall thicknesses less than 1.50 mm (0.06 in.) are not recommended.

1.4 Other Joining Devices—Joining devices other than those covered by the listed standards may be selected by the user on the basis of his own engineering evaluation and service experience.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.