Apr 26, 2013

ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems is currently developing a proposed standard that will address the use of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing used in hydronic heating/cooling systems.

The proposed new standard, ASTM WK38788, Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) OD Controlled Tubing for Hydronic Heating/Cooling Systems, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin Based Pipe.

Gary Morgan, industry liaison manager, Viega LLC, and an F17 member, notes that the type of piping covered by ASTM WK38788 is used for a variety of applications, including radiant floor heating/cooling, snow melting, turf warming, geothermal heat pump systems and solar heating. The proposed new standard will be used by design engineers, specifiers, residential and commercial contractors, code officials and building inspectors involved with these and similar uses for the tubing.

Today, the hydronic industry predominantly specifies PEX products defined by ASTM F876, Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and ASTM F877, Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Hot and Cold Water Distribution Systems. The creation of a new hydronic tubing system standard will allow the industry to add the applicable testing and construction allowances without being limited to the otherwise constraining dimensional and drinking water conformance limitations of the present standards.

The key focus of WK38788 will be to establish testing and performance requirements for limiting oxygen permeation into the hydronic fluid, which if left unchecked can lead to rapid corrosion of ferrous components within the system.

“In the model code arena, there has been recent work to develop new codes that specifically address the performance needs of hydronic heating/cooling and geothermal systems,” Morgan says. He also notes that one of the goals of the subcommittee is to eventually have the proposed standard, once it has been approved, recognized in the hydronic model code currently being compiled by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).

Interested parties are invited to join in the ongoing development of ASTM WK38788. F17.26 is particularly seeking input from laboratories that test for gaseous permeation of membranes and films as well as the advice of manufacturers who make barrier polymer compounds such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).

ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

For more news in this sector, visit www.astm.org/sn-construction or follow us on Twitter @ASTMBuildings.

ASTM Committee F17 Next Meeting: Nov. 11-14, 2013, November Committee Week, Jacksonville, Fla.
Technical Contact: Gary Morgan, Viega LLC, Wichita, Kan., Phone: 620-480-1222; garymorgan@viega.com 
ASTM Staff Contact: Robert Morgan, Phone: 610-832-9732; rmorgan@astm.org 
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9361