PP-R Added to Military Guide Specifications

Aquatherm is pleased to announce the inclusion of PP-R in the Unified Facilities Guide Specifications. This inclusion came as part of the US government’s effort to find longer lasting and more environmentally friendly building materials.

The Unified Facilities Guide Specifications are the result of joint efforts from NASA, NAVFAC, AFCESA, and USACE to provide a cohesive building specification for all military facilities. The UFGS is used by all participating organizations, although some parts of the spec are only intended for specific branches. The addition of PP-R is intended for all participants.

Polypropylene was added to the UFGS for a variety of reasons, including its natural insulation values, reduced weight, and seismic properties. PP-R pipe has already been used on USACE facilities and is being planned for NAVFAC installations as well.

The current update focuses on allowing polypropylene pipe that conforms to ASTM F 2389, NSF 14, and NSF 16 for General Plumbing. Heat fusion connections were added to the list of acceptable joint materials, per ASTM F 2389. It was also stipulated that pipe that will be exposed to UV radiation must come from the factory with UV resistant protection.

This addition to the UFGS came as part of the February quarterly update. Submissions to have PP-R added for heating and cooling distribution are currently under review, with hopes that it can be added within the next update cycle.

Aquatherm would like to extend a special thanks to Jim Pascal, Sustainable Building Products, and Proline Mechanical Sales for their efforts in introducing Aquatherm piping systems to the Department of Defense.

A link to the UFGS can be found here http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_org.php?o=70