Look for the Gold!
WATER PURITY – Some water is classified as “aggressive.” Even though such water may be safe to drink, it can affect metal plumbing systems and cause elements such as lead, copper, and cadmium to dissolve into the water supply. As a result, metal pipes within the home can be a significant source of impurities. In light of this, many homeowners and apartment dwellers now choose to buy their drinking water, or filter it to remove heavy metals. Another way to minimize such impurities in your water is to specify a FlowGuard Gold plumbing system. FlowGuard Gold chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe fittings are not a source of heavy metal impurities, and conforms to the stringent safety requirements of ANSI/NSF Standard 61 (Drinking Water Components, Health Effects). Also, unlike some copper systems, CPVC meets the requirements of ANSI/NSF 61 regardless of the pH of the water (pH is a common measurement of one of the characteristics of drinking water).
DURABILITY – Unlike metal systems, CPVC is highly resistant to corrosion. Metal piping can become corroded and leak when local water is “aggressive” due to the presence of high levels of oxygen, low pH, or other potentially corrosive elements. Highly aggressive water, while safe to drink, can cause to corrode or “pinhole” and cause leaks in only a few years. In some cases, installing a corrosion-resistant CPVC plumbing system is the only permanent remedy.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY – All hot-water pipes radiate some heat into the building. This not only wastes energy, but also causes the water in the pipe to drop in temperature and deliver cooler hot water to faucets. However, CPVC conducts heat far less than another systems. As a result, CPVC piping helps keep the hot water from cooling and provides more hot water for the user. Conversely, the low “heat” transfer of CPVC piping also helps keep your cold water from warming up. When it comes to choosing a plumbing system that will help keep your hot water hot and your cold water cold, the FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing system is the best choice. The improved thermal characteristics associated with CPVC can generate substantial long-term savings for an energy conscious home-owner or tenant. CPVC will keep hot water hot for a much longer period of time than copper tubing. The thermal conductivity of a copper system is 2500 times more that of a CPVC system.
link for video: https://www.stepen.rs/index.php?custom=videoisp&id=6
REDUCED CONDENSATION – Because some systems are a good conductor of heat, the outer surface carrying cold water will cool. Moisture in the air can then condense on this cool surface and, in some cases, cause dripping. Obviously, water dripping from pipes is not desirable because water damage to your home or furnishings could occur. FlowGuard Gold pipe is made from CPVC which exhibits low “heat” transfer. As a result, the outer surface of a CPVC pipe carrying cold water does not become as cool as a other pipe and the potential for moisture condensation (and dripping) is significantly reduced when using FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings.
link for video: https://www.stepen.rs/index.php?custom=videoisp&id=5
QUIET OPERATION – A FlowGuard Gold plumbing system is four times quieter than metal piping, per a recent NSF international study; metal tends to be prone to “water hammer” that can resonate noise throughout the building. In addition, noise caused by water simply flowing through pipe is noticeably less with CPVC.
SCALE BUILD-UP – Unlike metal, CPVC is not susceptible to corrosion. No scale build-up means no water pressure loss and reduced maintenance
COMBUSTIBILITY PROPERTIES – FlowGuard Gold CPVC has a flash ignition temperature of 900°F (482°C) which is the lowest temperature at which sufficient combustion gas is evolved that can be ignited by a small external flame. Many other ordinary combustibles, such as wood, ignite at 500°F (260°C) or less. FlowGuard Gold CPVC will not sustain burning. It must be forced to burn due to its very high Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of 60. LOI is the percentage of oxygen needed in an atmosphere to support combustion. Since the Earth’s atmosphere is only 21% oxygen, FlowGuard Gold CPVC will not burn.
Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)
Oxygen contained in Earth’s atmosphere – 21%
| Material |
LOI |
| Cotton |
16 – 17 |
| Polypropylene |
18 |
| Birch |
20 |
| CPVC |
60 |
FlowGuard Gold CPVC has a significantly lower heat of combustion at 7,770 BTU/lb compared to Douglas fir at 9,040 BTU/lb and polypropylene at nearly 20,000 BTU/lb. Materials with a high heat of combustion perpetuate a combustible mixture which, when ignited, creates more heat and causes the burning process to become self-sustaining. FlowGuard Gold CPVC cannot be the ignition source of a fire or support combustion. United States Testing Company, using the University of Pittsburgh Test Protocol, found that CPVC was “not considered more toxic that Douglas fir tree.” FlowGuard Gold CPVC emitted smoke levels are also exceptionally low. Testing at Underwriters Laboratories of Canada has shown that CPVC produces only one-third of the smoke of kiln-dried wood.
Since CPVC materials do not support combustion, they cannot burn. This property makes CPVC pipe an attractive alternative to steel and copper pipe for fire sprinkler applications. CPVC fire sprinkler piping systems are approved in USA for light hazard applications and for use in single and multifamily dwellings. Installation shall be in accordance with the NFPA Section 13, 13D, and 13R.
link for video: https://www.stepen.rs/index.php?custom=videoisp&id=3
FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings are made from a specialty plastic known chemically as chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC). FlowGuard Gold CPVC is the result of new technology that insures increased product toughness year round. FlowGuard Gold water distribution systems are assembled with readily available, inexpensive tools. Solvent cemented joints – proven with more than 45 years of successful service history – assure the reliability of a FlowGuard Gold plumbing system.