How to Guide
7
GENERAL INFORMATION
Testing with or use of compressed air or gas in PVC / ABS 
/ CPVC pipe or fittings can result in explosive failures and 
cause severe injury or death.
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Cost Effective
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convenient to handle, relatively flexible, and easy to 
install. These features lead to lower installed cost than 
other piping systems.
Virtually Maintenance Free
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designed, and installed, it is virtually maintenance free. 
Therefore, years of trouble-free service can be expected 
when using Charlotte Pipe and Foundry ABS, PVC and 
CPVC systems.
Handling and Storage of ABS, 
PVC and CPVC Pipe
Receiving Pipe
As pipe is received, it must always be thoroughly inspected, 
prior to unloading. The person receiving the pipe must look for 
any transportation damage caused by over-tightened tie-down 
straps, improper treatment, or a shift in the load.
Pipe received in a closed trailer must be inspected as the trailer 
is opened. Take extra time to ensure that the pipe has not been 
damaged by other materials having been stacked on top of it, 
load shift, or rough handling.
Visually examine the pipe ends for any cracks, splits, gouges, 
or other forms of damage. Additionally, the pipe should be 
inspected for severe deformation which could later cause 
joining problems. The entire inside diameter of larger diameter 
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cracks which could have been caused by loading or transit. The 
use of a flashlight may be necessary to perform this inspection.
Any damages must be observed by all parties involved, 
including the driver, and should be clearly noted on the bill of 
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be retained by the receiver. In addition, the manufacturer and 
carrier should be notified, within 24 hours, of any damages, 
shortages, or mis-shipped products.
Handling Pipe
The pipe should be handled with reasonable care. Because 
thermoplastic pipe is much lighter in weight than metal pipe, 
there is sometimes a tendency to throw it around. This should 
be avoided.
The pipe should never be dragged or pushed from a truck bed. 
Removing and handling pallets of pipe should be done with a 
forklift. Loose pipe lengths require special handling to avoid 
damage. Precautions to follow when unloading and handling 
loose pieces include not banging lengths together or dropping 
lengths, even from low heights, on hard or uneven surfaces.
In all cases, severe contact with any sharp objects (rocks, 
angle irons, forks on forklifts, etc.) should be avoided. Also, 
the pipe should never be lifted or moved by inserting the forks 
of a forklift into the pipe ends.
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than 4-inch requires extra care as the added pipe weight can 
cause cracking from relatively minor impacts. Also, plastic 
pipe becomes more brittle as the temperature decreases. The 
impact strength and flexibility of PVC and especially CPVC 
pipe are reduced. Therefore, take extra care when handling 
skids or loose lengths when the temperature drops below 50°F.
Storing Pipe
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possible, the pipe should be stored on level ground which is 
dry and free from sharp objects. If different schedules of pipe 
are stacked together, the pipe with the thickest walls should 
be on the bottom.
If the pipe is in pallets, the pallets should be stacked with the 
pallet boards touching, rather than pallet boards being placed 
on the pipe. This will prevent damage to or bowing of the pipe.
If the pipe is stored in racks, it should be continuously 
supported along its length. If this is not possible, the spacing 
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The pipe should be protected from the sun and be in an area 
with proper ventilation. This will lessen the effects of ultraviolet 
rays and help prevent heat build-up.










