Document VXmYXyZ2G21E0VQZR7mon49w

TECHNICAL SERVICES INC.------- n lpiqqg PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGY LICENSE #PI11582 January 8, 1990 Mr. Roy Gottesman The Vinvl Institute 155 Route 46 West Wayne, NJ 07470 Ref: IFT 88-76 Vinyl Institute Codes Dear Roy, For your information I received the following from LAPMO. I had requested to be informed with regards to the Ad hoc Combustible Construction Committee activities and this is the response. I hope the New Year finds you in good health. Sincerely yours, Joseph B. Zicberman, Ph.D^^J^ JBZ/cv 8S-76-lJan CTL029579 2550 NINTH STREET, SUITE 112, BERKELEY, CA 94710 TELEPHONE 415-548-3451 FAX 415-548-0290 International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical-Officials 20001 WALNUT DRIVE SOUTH WALNUT, CALIFORNIA 91789-2825 (714) 595-8449 FAX (714) 594-3690 December 18, 1989 Mr. Joseph B. Zicnerman, Ph. D. I F T Technical Services, Inc. 2550 Ninth St., Suite 112 Berkeley, CA 94710 Dear Mr. Zicherman: With regard to your letter of December 12, 1989, the Com bustible Construction Ad-Hoc Committee has been disbanded by the Board of Directors. We wish to thank you very much for your support of and in terest in IAPMO. Please do not hesitate to contact me if we may be of assistance to you in the future. Sincerely, EEW:ls Executive Director CTL029580 L Ll-, wm BOO =lo:s. -c i 5S-S:-C' ^c'JflN iji-j99e _4____ Mins. Volume 13, No.1 EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS January 1990 The A.40 Plumbing Code - much discussed within plastic pipe circles for over 10 years - may be on its way through the ANSI consensus process...PPFA has lifted its appeal to ANSI as well as its negative committee ballot against the code...this summer, PPFA officers met with officers of NAPHCC and MCAA to discuss PPFA's ongoing concerns over the draft A.40 code...the outcome was a letter ballot to A.40 Committee members asking for a change in the code language which restricted ABS and PVC DWV to: "installations where combustible construction is allowed." The ballot successfully removed this unwarranted and unfair restriction against plastic pipe clearing the way for PPFABoard action to remove the PPFA appeal on the A.40 code...action was taken by the PPFA Board in September pending a successful letter ballot removing the restrictions...removing the road blocks to PPFA support of the A.40 draft were due to efforts by Ken Stewart (Jet Stream Plastics) and Larry Schnase (Eagle Plastics) of PPFA and Ken Krauska (NAPHCC) and Don McKay (MCAA), representing the A.40 secretariat...other code provisions of concern to PPFA will be addressed in the next round of code change meetings after publication of the current document. Training could be a key to more and better plastic piping installations...why not consider the 1990's the "decade of training"...with increasing recognition of plastic pipe as a viable product for most plumbing applications, there is increasing interest from many .quarters on more and better training of installers on the proper installation of plastic piping products...discussions with leaders of NAPHCC and MCAA (see the A.40 item, above) yielded a general aereement that apprentice training programs should focus more on plastic pipe...PPFA has had botn wTitten and a/v training materials for many years, butthe demand forthem has been small largely because there is not sufficient time to make presentations for apprentices all over the nation. We would be very interested in obtaining feedback from our members...what types of training do you now do...what materials do you use...what opportunities via apprentice programs and trade schools exist in your market area for installer training? Paraphras ing one Board member, `Just think of a whole generation of plumbers growing up being trained in the proper use of plastic pipe - our problems with unions and others would disappear!' Plumbers are not the only ones wanting training on plastic pipe...The American Supply Association (ASA) has implemented an ASA Self Instruction Program where over 17,000 self instruction units have been utilized by plumbing w-holesaler personneL.these units include information on the basics of plastic pipe and fittings. Most ofthe installation and failure problems reported to PPFA are because ofinstaller error, not product problems...we suspect you see the same thing in the field...there is CTL029581 PIPELINES is a periodic publication of the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association; Larry D. Schnase, President; Richard Church, Executive Director. January 1990 anew and strong interest on education and training in the proper specification, instal lation, and use of plastic pipe and fittings for plumbing applications...perhaps it's time for PPFA to renew its efforts to provide the necessary materials...your comments would be welcome! IAPMO Corrugated Sewer Pipe Ad Hoc Committee met on November 15, 1989...added ASTM F949 (PVC Corrugated Sewer Pipe) to Installation Standard IS 1-90, for non-metallic building sewers...PPFA has minutes of the meeting in case anyone is interested...PPFA is not directly involved in this ad hoc committee...let us know if you have a specific interest in this issue..An IAPMO Ad Hoc Committee on PB also recommended approval of updated Installation Standards IS 17, 22,23,24, and 25...Editor's Note: iust can't figure out why they want to tell you how to install your product when theyve removed it from the code!! Speaking of IAPMO and installation standards...tbere are a number of proposed changes to the plastic pipe installation standards maintained by IAPMO in this current revision cyde...tbe proposals will be sent to the Product Line Committee chairmen and the Code Policy Committee for review and comment...anyone else wanting to review them should call Carol Asselmeier at the PPFA office...keep in mind that PPFA submitted a proposal last year for IAPMO to drop all installation standards including those on plastic pipe...the reasons for this PPFA proposal were that the standards are not a mandatory part of the code, jLQjj sometimes conflict with industry or manufacturer installation instructions, thereby creating both confusion and potential liability for IAPMO. The California EIR continues at its usual pace...battle lines, drawn long ago, have changed very little...the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) had to extend the deadline for comment on the draft EER (DEER) to accom modate the union and their clones...you will recall that the DEIR w>as substantially favorable to plastic pipe...now the battle moves to procedural wTangling, accusations against HCD staff for being proplastic, and, inevitably, to the legislature.Jegislative pressure on HCD to slow the process and do more studies and research will increase and persist...there is no indication yet on the success of these anti plastics ploys. Changes to the Uniform Building Code have been submitted by PPFA...copies enclosed for your information...the basic reason for the changes is to make sure building officials know the UBC does not discriminate against plastic pipe...it will be argued that the changes are not necessary, but PPFA wiU argue that the changes are needed to avoid confusion in the field...u plastic pipe installation is not specifically allowed by code language, anu plastic interests tend to confuse enforcement officials. We want to take you to a code meeting...at the Fall Meeting the Code Policy Commit tee asked members to volunteer to attend code meetings throughout the year with staff representatives...the purpose is to demonstrate more interest and unity among plastic pipe interests in the code process..encIosed is a schedule of code meetings for 1990...staff is preparing a "job description" and instructions for members attending these meetings...write us a note indicating which meeting(s) you might like to attend...as the meeting approaches, we will send you issue background information as well as instructions on your role and responsibilities.Jooking forward to your support!! PPFA.Enclosed you'll find the complete October/November Code Report for CTL029582 - - V- c* 1990 ICBO CODE CHAKG5 4304*90*3--P.P.F. A.--[F.&L.] Sec. 4304 (e), 1989 Supplement. Revise the second paragraph as follows: The T rating for through-penetration fire stops in fire-rated walls requiring protected openings shall apply to penetrations in the follow ing locations: 1. Above corridor ceilings which are not part of a fire-resistive assembly. 2. Below any ceiling. EXCEPTION: Any through-penetrating combustible or noncombustible pipe em not larger than a 4-inch nominal pipe or item not larger than 16 square inches in overall cross-sectional area need not have a T rating. Also: Sec. 4394 (0,1989 Supplement. Revise the second paragraph as follows: Where wall-protective membranes are penetrated by combustible or noncombustible pipe, or other materials or where larger openings are required than permitted above, the penetrating items shall be: 1. Protected with membrane-penetration fire stops suitable for the methods of penetration, or 2. Installed in accordance with the installation instructions of their listing for such use. Also: Sec. 4305 (b), 1989 Supplement. Revise Exception 4 as follows: 4 Other ceiling openings and^ penetrations and combustible or noncombustible pipe may be installed where such openings and penetrations and the assemblies in which they are utilized are tested in accordance with the provisions of U.B.C. Standard No. 43-1. (Balance of subsection to remain unchanged.) Also: Sec. 4305 (c), 1989 Supplement. Revise the exceptions as follows: EXCEPTIONS: I. Openings enclosed in fire-resistive-rated shaft enclosures in accordance with Secuon 1706 (a). 2. Exit enclosures in accordance with Chapier 33. 3. Openings permitted in accordance with Section 1706 (c). 4. Atria constructed in accordance with Section 17IS. 5. Penetrations, and combustible or noncombustible pipe penetrations protected with through-penetration fire stops msulled to provide an F rating or a T rating in accordance with Secuon 002 (b). The T rating shaJl apply only to: A. Penetrations which are not contained within a wall at the point where they penetrate the floor, or B. Penetrations which are larger than a 4-inch nominal pipe or 16 square inches in overall cross-sectional area. (Balance of subsection to remain unchanged.) Reason: To clarify the Building Code requirements on the use ofcombustible piping. Analysis: None. CTL029583 PLASTIC PIPS AND FITTINGS ASSOCIATION CODE REPORT; October/November, 1989 The following is a summary of major code activity in which PPFA has been involved during October and November, 1989. Please feel free to contact the PPFA office for further information about any of these code actions. LOG IR #89-62, City of Santa Maria, CA MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PB ISSUE: Request for support at hearing to allow PB. OVERVIEW: Al Wedderburn, Chief Building Inspector, City of Santa Maria, requested help from PPFA with materials to support the use of PB. Their water has a high carbon dioxide level and total dissolved solids. Wedderburn believes PB is the best material to use for hot and cold water distribution and NFPA 13-D (One and Two Family Dwelling) fire sprinkler installations. PPFA Field Representative, Ted Grizzell, sent Wedderburn a packet of information to support PB and offered to attend the public hearings if necessary.Wedderbu indicated that he had good support from his council on adoption of PB. Several hearings were held and at the November 9, 19 89 meetingattended by Ted Grizzell and Chuck Walker (Shell) a quorum was not present so no action could he taken. Ted Grizzell will continue to follow up with Wedderburn. LOG: IR #89-120, City and County of Denver, CO MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PB ISSUE: Meeting of Building Department's Amendment to discuss PB. Committee OVERVIEW: PPFA Field Representative, Ted Grizzell, Bob Friedlander (Vanguard) and other industry representatives were invited to attend a meeting of the Denver City and County UPC Amendments Committee to discuss PB. The committee presented statements of concern about PB, and industry provided input on what has been done to solve past problems with PB. Grizzell followed up with Mr. Hilleary of the Building Inspection Division, who told him the Committee has decided to recommend adoption of the 1988 UPC with no changes on PB (PB would not be allowed) to the City/County Council. The Council should consider this issue in February or March 19 90 . PPFA will receive a notice of this meeting and has directed Field Representative Grizzell to contact Steve Pregun from Shell to establish strategy with contractors and others to contact the Council now in an attempt to win their support for PB. CTL029584 LOG IR #89-122, City of San Leandro, CA MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: A3S, PVC, CPVC ISSUE: Hearing regarding limitations on ABS, PVC and CPVC. OVERVIEW: The City of San Leandro is in the process of adopting the 1988 model uniform codes. They have never allowed the use of plastic plumbing pipe, but are required by state law to adopt the UPC. They intend to propose adoption language presently in CA T-24 which would limit ABS & PVC to residential construction up to 2 stories in height, with no PB or CPVC for hot/cold water distribution allowed. PPFA's support in this action was requested from Russ Green (ABS Institute) and Howard Kerr, representative of area homeowners. Letters and materials supporting plastic pipe were presented to the Appeals Board. PPFA attended their October 26 meeting at which the Board voted 4-to-l to approve the plastic pipe changes. The proposal will be sent on to the City Council for a possible hearing in December 1989. PPFA Field Representative, Jack Lancaster, will contact the interested parties to see what PPFA can do to help. LOG: IR #89-127, Town of Weathersfield, CT MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PVC-DWV ISSUE: Request for installation information underground building drain. regarding PVC OVERVIEW: Mr. Glen Manos (Tempo Mechanical, Dallas, TX) has a problem with an inspector in Weathersfield, CT, who says they have to use expansion joints with the PVC underground drainage system being installed in an apartment complex under construction. Thisinstallation involves a 100 foot run under the slab of 4-6 inch PVC. PPFA contacted the inspector, George Mueller, for an interpretation of his ruling. He indicated that the contractor did not allow for expansion and contraction in his plans. Up to now they have allowed plastic pipe in single family homes for drainage underslab, but in an apartment building they are concern d with the long runs of pipe. PPFA wrote to Mr. Mueller explaining that based on our experience, there should be no problem with this installation, but indicated howan offset could be used to absorb theexpansion/contraction if they still felt it was needed. LOG: IR #89-135, City of Orlando, FL MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PVCCX (PVC Cellular Core) ISSUE: Request for help in obtaining approval of PVCCX. OVERVIEW: Bart Hodges (Charlotte Pipe) called PPFA Field Representative, Jack Lancaster, regarding the inability to sell PVCCX in Orlando, FL. They had cone in for approval and were told they needed an SBCCI letter approving their CODERP12/TXTPPFA 01/05/90 2 CTL029585 material. Orlando does not require a compliance report or. long standing materials, but does on new materials. City of Orlando official, Mike Jackson, indicated the lack of approval was because a compliance report for PVCCX did not exist. Lancaster learned from SBCCI that a compliance report for PVCCX had existed, but was expired. Under the code Orlando has the right to require tests or test reports as proof of compliance. A compliance report takes about 3 months to obtain and costs $2,800 and the required tests must be made at the expense of the owner or his agent by an approved testing lab or other approved agency. LOG: IR #89-140, Township of Concord, PA MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PVC ISSUE: Request for assistance in code approval for PVC DWV. OVERVIEW: Mr. Gunning, Director of Operations, for the McKee Group in PA, called requesting information that would help him gain approval for PVC DWV in an apartment project under construction. Field Representative, Jack Lancaster, responded with information indicating the 25 years of acceptance of plastic plumbing pipe in the NSPC and the NPC which are both used in his area. Ke also included correspondence indicating approval in the state of Tennessee and the background of the investigation for their approval. A copy of PPFA's Growing World listing plastic pipe, its uses, and ASTM's national consensus standards for each was also' sent to Mr. Gunning. Field Representative, Lancaster, will follow up with Mr. Gunning on this issue. LOG: IR #89-142, City of Sioux Falls, MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PVC-DWV ISSUE: Request for information plastic pipe in wood construction. South Dakota on shaft enclosures for OVERVIEW: Ron Bell, Chief Building Official, called concerned over the lack of consistent code interpretation in his area regarding the use of shafts when installing combustible materials, specifically plastic pipe, in wood constructed buildings. Even though the 1988 UBC, which they use, is specific and says that installations in buildings over 3 stories must be in a shaft, jurisdictions in that area are loosely interpretating the code or ignoring it totally. He has contacted Bill Wall, ICBO Regional Official, for some type of communication from them to clarify this issue so some continuity among the inspection officials can be established. He requested information regarding companies producing firestopping materials and pipe wraps from PPFA. After receiving and reviewing all the input, he will send PPFA a copy of what his jurisdiction will set forth as their code requirements for installations in buildings over and under 3 stories. CODERP12/TXTPPFA 01/05/90 3 CTL029586 LOG: IR 4189-145, Omaha, NE MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PVC ISSUE: Request for code joining requirements. OVERVIEW: Ron Withem, Executive Vice President, MCA of Omaha and a member of the Omaha State - Legislature, told PPFA Field Representative, Jack Lancaster, that the Omaha Plumbing Dept, has issued a directive ordering the exclusive use of purple primer instead of mechanical cleaners. He requested help on code requirements and manufactures installation recommendations. After reviewing the code with Ron, Jack sent him a letter explaining the background on code requirements and manufacturers recommendations. He indicated to Ron that not updating their 20-year-old code for plumbing materials and methods can have undesirable results for Omaha. PPFA recommends this be done immediately and will help them in preparing the changes needed. Lancaster also indicated that plumbing officials, plumbers, builders and public citizens should be heard somewhere in the rulemaking process before Omaha imposes a new regulation on the industry. LOG #88-71, City of Houston, TX MATERIAL(S) AFFECTED: PB ISSUE: Protection of P3 in the Houston code. OVERVIEW: Steve Pregun (Shell) attended the November 14, 1989 meeting of the Houston Construction Industry Council as PPFA's representative. The most significant item to report was that Mr. Hal Caton, Deputy Building Official, reported the City plans to adopt the 1988 Uniform Building and Plumbing Codes in early 1990. The UBC and UPC with local amendments are still in the proposal stage having been sent to the City Council for review. The proposed local amendment for Polybutylene is in the Houston Code, Section 803, USE OF JOINTS: Polybutylene pipe and fittings with heat fussion, pressure lock, copper insert fittings and copper rings as defined in ASTM 845 are accepted to join PB pipe. PB pipe is limited to straight lengths only. Use of acetal fittings is prohibited. CODERP12/TXT? PFA 01/05/90 CTL029587 4 j i STATISTICAL INFORMATION The table titled "Inquiries by Jurisdiction" indicates whether code activity fell into the category of local, state or model code. "Nature of Inquiries" provides an. indication of the kind of information requested. "Inquiries by Material" is a breakdown of which materials were affected by inquiry. "Inquiries by Issue" presents information on the subject matter of the inquiries. Total number of inquiries is reported in the "Inquiries by Jurisdiction" table. However, since an inquiry may involve more than one issue, material or nature, other tables may show varying numbers. NOTE: Model code activity statistics are highest in the early part of the year when the code change cycles begin. However, PPFA fieldmen participate in model code change cycles throughout the year. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1989 INQUIRIES BY ISSUE General Plastic Pipe- - - 7 General Plastic Fittings -5 Code Updating- ----- -5 Joining/Adapting- - - - - 2 Installation, Underground-1 Fire Resistance- - - - - -1 Installation/Fire Rated Construction- ----- l TOTAL: 22 NATURE OF INQUIRIES Code-Expansion of Uses- - - 5 Answer Allegations- - - - - 3 Standards for Plastic Pipe- 3 Installation Information- - 3 Code Approval-New- - - - - -2 Design Information- - - - - 2 Field Failures- ------ 1 Education- -------- -1 Code-Protection of Uses- - -1 INQUIRIES BY JURISDICTION Local---------- 12 State------------ 1 TOTAL: 13 INQUIRIES BY MATERIAL PVC------8 ABS---------- 3 PB---------- 3 PVCCX----- 3 CPVC- - 3 ALL----------1 TOTAL: 21 TOTAL: 21 CTL029588 Code Group International Conieronce ol Building Ollicials (ICBO) 5300 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90001 (213) 099-0541 International Assoc. o( Plumbing and Mechanical Ollicials (IAPMO) 20001 South Walnut Drive Walnut. CA 91709-2025 (714) 595-0449 Budding Ollicials & Codo Admin, international (OOCA) 4051 West Flossmoor Rd. Country Club Hills, IL 00477-5795 (700) 799-2300 Southern Building Code Congress International. Inc. (SBCCI) 900 Montclair Road Birmingham, AL 35213 (205) 591-1053 Code Change Submittal Dale August 15 1990^PE CALENDAR - t/4/go Review by Appointed Committee January Monograph March-Aprd Budding Standard Challenges Must be received by G-1; published July-August Budding Standard Annual Conference 9/9-15/90 Denver, CO February 15 4/30-5/3/90 Boise, ID Clranges as submitted are reviewed not published N/A 9/23-27/90 Boise, ID August 1 1/7-11/90 Louisvdle, KY Yes 6/24-29/90 Hamdton, Ontario Resubmit lor Further Study October 1 February 15 Fall Printed Into Code or Supplement 3 year cycle; next published 1991 3 year cycle; next publish^! 1991 3 year cycle; next published 1990 March 1st Deadline. A Blue Book Is pub. w/all submittals 7/9-12/90 Blrmlnglram, AL Committee re views: approve, disapprove, or further study Red Book is published. Comm. Actions published ASAP 9/30-10/4/90 New Orleans, LA Membership re views: approve, disapprove, or further study March 1 3 year cycle; next published 1991 Councd ol American Budding Ollicials CABO-One & Two Famdy Dwelling Code 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 700 Falls Church, VA 22041 (703) 931-4533 January 1 3/27-29/90 Cincinnati, OH End ol August to hear in lato September Not applicable except for appeals January 1 3 year cycle -r annual supplement; next published 1992 National Assn, ol Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors - NAPHCC P.O. Box G000 Falls Church. VA 220G4 (000) 533-7094; (703) 237-0100 March 15 May Committoo No process CTL029589 0/23-24/90 Atlantic City, NJ Public Hearing comments will 10/12/90 (tentative) Falls Church, VA Appeals 3 year cyclo + annual supplement; noxt published