PEX Reinstated in California Plumbing Code Effective Aug. 18, 2010
We are excited to announce that the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) approved a revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As a result, they have adopted new regulations for the use of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) in potable-water plumbing systems, effective Aug. 18, 2010.
To learn more about this decision, read the Joint Statement by The Center for Environmental Health and the CBSC.
PEX became part of the California Plumbing Code in August 2009, following the CBSC’s January 2009 certification of the EIR on PEX and the commission's ensuing unanimous adoption of regulations approving PEX water distribution systems. Earlier this summer the CBSC was compelled to repeal the inclusion of PEX in the state code, effective July 1, 2010, to comply with a court order. The court’s questions focused on technical and process issues in the EIR document, never on the suitability of PEX for plumbing systems.
Previously, 180 municipalities and counties within California had already approved the use of PEX tubing as an alternate material to copper and other materials used for plumbing piping. Approximately 15 billion feet of Uponor PEX has been installed throughout the world over the past four decades — including the past 20 years in North America. PEX is certified to the stringent health standards set by ANSI/NSF, approved in all national building codes and widely used in the remaining 49 states as well as in all 10 Canadian provinces. More than half of all new homes built in the United States today feature PEX water distribution systems.
Uponor Lead-free Plumbing Systems
To continue our mission of supplying our professional partners with building system solutions, Uponor is also launching a complete line of lead-free brass transition fittings and valves that meet California lead-free legislation and exceed the requirements of the United States Safe Drinking Water Act. Combining these fittings and tubing with our extensive engineered plastic (EP) offering and our innovative ProPEX® Out-of-the-Wall Support System provides a complete lead-free plumbing solution from the inlet to the faucet.
Benefits of Uponor PEX-a Tubing
- Unique ProPEX® expansion fittings create strong, durable connections without the need for torches, glues, solvents or gauges
- Flexible, with the smallest bend radius of all PEX tubing, reducing the number of necessary fittings
- Resists corrosion, pitting and scaling
- Eliminates water hammer and singing pipes
- ProPEX connections cannot be dry fit; never a question if the fitting is made properly
- Highly freeze resistant
- Backed by a 25-year limited warranty when installed by an Uponor-trained plumbing professional
Codes, Standards and Listings
Hydrostatic Temperature and Pressure Ratings: ● 200°F (93.3°C) at 80 psi ● 180°F (82.2°C) at 100 psi ● 73.4°F (23°C) at 160 psi ● 120°F (48.9°C) at 130 psi (1/2", 3/4" and 1" AquaPEX® only)
Manufacturing Standards: ● ASTM F876 ● ASTM F877 ● ASTM F2023 ● ASTM F1960 ● ANSI/NSF Standard 14 ● ANSI/NSF Standard 61 ● UL 1821 ● ULC-ORD C199P ● CAN/CSA B137.5
Product Listings: ● IAPMO ● CSA ● HUD ● UL ● NSF ● ITS ● ICC
Applicable Codes: ● IPC ● UPC ● NSP ● IMC ● UMC ● NPC of Canada ● NBC of Canada
Fire-rated Assemblies for United States: ● K913 - Two-hour concrete floor/ceiling assembly ● L557 - One-hour wood frame floor/ceiling assembly ● U372 - One-hour wood frame wall assembly ● V444 - One-hour steel stud wall assembly
Fire-rated Assemblies for Canada: ● WC/FCA 120-01 - Two-hour concrete floor/ceiling assembly ● WC/FCA 120-02 - Two-hour concrete floor/ceiling assembly ● WC/FCA 60-01 - One-hour wood frame floor/ceiling assembly ● UW/WA 60-02 - One-hour wood frame wall assembly ● UW/WA 60-01 - One-hour steel stud wall assembly
Warnock Hersey Plenum Rating: ● 25 flame spread/50 smoke developed (plenum rated) to ASTM E84 ● CAN/ULC S102.2
Uponor offers several plumbing products, including our extensive engineered plastic (EP) offering and ProPEX® Out-of-the-Wall system for a complete lead-free plumbing system from inlet to faucet.