Piping Gains Expanded Approval

Harvel® Plastics, Inc. has announced that its American Bureau of Shipbuilding (ABS) Design Assessment Approval for Harvel® Corzan® CPVC piping for shipboard use has been expanded to an ABS Type Approval. This approval pertains exclusively to Harvel Corzan CPVC piping in Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe, sizes1/4" through 24", produced at Harvel's production facilities in Bakersfield, California and Easton, Pennsylvania.

ABS Type Approval certifies that not only has Harvel Corzan CPVC pipe received Product Design Assessment (PDA) approval, it also verifies that Harvel pipe is consistently manufactured and maintained in accordance with ABS rules and standards. This includes plant inspections and auditing of Harvel's quality control and quality assurance procedures to ensure product consistency.

The piping can be used in non-hazardous areas of ships, MODUs (mobile off-shore drilling units; i.e. drilling rigs) and facilities governed by ABS rules. Uses typically include potable water, fresh water, seawater, drains and vent applications, within tanks and pipe tunnels, and on surface decks. ABS rules governing applications of use must be followed by the designer/user.

Piping Products Meet New “Lead-Free”

Harvel® Plastics has also received certification by NSF International as being in compliance with new "lead-free" standards regarding drinking water plumbing components. The new standards were adopted January 1, 2010, in California.

Known as AB 1953, the new California law mandates that any pipe, pipe fittings, and plumbing fittings and fixtures used to convey or dispense water for human consumption have no more than 0.25 percent lead in wetted surfaces as determined by a weighted average. Furthermore, the law requires certification by an independent American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited third party, such as NSF International. The California Department of Public Health is developing standards for building officials to implement and enforce compliance with the new regulation. Vermont is also adopting similar "lead-free" standards as of the beginning of the year.

NSF International has validated that all sizes of several Harvel piping products do not contain lead and are in compliance with California's and Vermont's new laws. Contact Harvel for a list of those products.

For more information, contact Patrick Foose, Harvel Plastics, Inc., P.O. Box 757, Easton, PA, 18044, 610-252-7355, Fax: 610-253-4436, E-mail: harvel@harvel.com, Web: www.harvel.com.