Installation Guide

FlowGuard Gold
®
JANUARY 2013
13
installed in proximity to CPVC piping systems, care
should be taken to protect the CPVC from burning with
torches or contact with molten solder and solder ux,
as well as incompatible thread sealants, leak detectors,
lubricants, or other chemical products which may be
used on metal piping.
Paint
• Water-based acrylic latex paint is the preferred and
recommended paint to use on Lubrizol CPVC pipe and
ttings. Oil or solvent-based paints may be chemically
incompatible.
• Certain types of oil or solvent-based paints may,
however, be used provided that it is a light coating that
dries quickly. These paints should not be allowed to
puddle or pool on the surface of the pipe and/or fitting.
Application of solvent-based paints must be individually
reviewed as there are certain types of paints and stains
that contain drying oils and should not be used at all
on CPVC.
Polyurethane (Spray-On) Foams
• In understanding spray polyurethane foams there are
two general areas of concern for CPVC pipe and fittings:
(1) chemical compatibility and (2) potential damage to
pipes and ttings due to high exothermic temperatures
during installation. These spray polyurethane foams
have different cell structures, different ame retardants,
reach different curing temperatures and require different
installation thicknesses to obtain the required r-value. All
of these factors must be considered when using spray
foams.
• In 2009, Lubrizol assisted the Spray Polyurethane Foam
Alliance (SPFA) to determine if chemical compatibility
issues exist with FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster®
and Corzan® CPVC pipe and fittings. SPFA findings,
although not comprehensive, conclude that those spray
polyurethane foams tested did not pose a chemical
compatibility problem. In addition, Lubrizol is unaware
of a CPVC failure that was the result of chemical
incompatibility with spray polyurethane foams. For more
information on the SPFA testing, please contact them at
[phone] or visit their web site at www.sprayfoam.
org. With respect to chemical compatibility, one must
always check with the spray foam manufacturer to have
them provide assurance that the formulation that they
are manufacturing is not incompatible with CPVC.
• In a separate, unrelated study also in 2009, Lubrizol
conducted testing with a manufacturer of spray
polyurethane foam to better understand the effects of
high exothermic temperatures on FlowGuard Gold and
BlazeMaster CPVC pipe and fittings. These findings
demonstrated that temperatures can exceed the
softening point of dry CPVC pipe and fittings.
• This study found that, for the products tested, the
spray pass thickness of the manufacturer’s nominal
two pound density spray polyurethane closed cell foam
should not exceed a maximum of two inches per single
pass. Lubrizol also found in this study that repeated two
inch passes (layers) separated by 10 minute intervals
provided sufcient time for the spray polyurethane foam
to cool. For the manufacturer’s nominal half pound
density spray polyurethane open cell foam, Lubrizol
found that spray pass thickness should not exceed
a maximum of six inches per single pass. Because
polyurethane spray foams’ resulting exothermic
temperatures and chemical compatibility characteristics
can vary to some extent, Lubrizol recommends that you
consult with the manufacturer of the polyurethane spray
foam to be installed.
Residual Oils (Including Cutting Oils) with Steel Pipe
• Transitions from steel pipe to CPVC pipe can be
made through a variety of methods such as threaded
connections, anges, and grooved adapters.
Occasionally the steel pipe may contain residual oils that
were used to aid in the cutting process. Some of the oils
used for this purpose may be incompatible with CPVC.
These cutting oils should be removed from the steel pipe
prior to connecting to CPVC pipe. If a cutting oil is used
consult with the manufacturer of the cutting oil for a
specific recommendation as to compatibility with CPVC.
Those cutting oils which are listed in the FBC System
Compatible program have been tested and conrmed to
be compatible with FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster®,
and Corzan® CPVC.
Residual Oils with HVAC Applications
• Some heat exchangers or condenser coils may contain
residual oils from the manufacturing process which can
cause cracking of CPVC. Caution should be exercised
when installing CPVC in combination hot water/
air heating units or as condensate drain lines for air
conditioning systems. Confirm the compatibility of CPVC
with the residual oils prior to installation. The interior of
heat exchangers or the exterior of condenser coils may
be thoroughly flushed with mild ionic detergent solution
to remove incompatible oils prior to piping installation. A
rinse with clean water to completely clean the system is
advisable as a nal ushing.
Rubber & Flexible Materials
Containing Plasticizers
• CPVC is not compatible with some rubber and exible
plastic materials containing certain types of plasticizers.