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ZURN PEX, INC.
HIGHWAY 11 EAST, COMMERCE, TEXAS, U.S.A. 75428 • PHONE: 855-ONE-ZURN (855-663-9876) • FAX: 903-886-2583 • www.zurn.com
Zurn PEX
®
Plumbing Installation Guide
Zurn Pex utilizes NSF International as its third party listing agency
for NSF and ASTM standard compliance for the majority of our
products. NSF International is a well known and well respected
listing agency. Zurn Pex listings can be found on the NSF
International website at
www.nsf.org
.
NSF Standard 61
is the standard that establishes minimum health
effects requirements for the chemical contaminants and impurities
that are indirectly imparted to drinking water from products,
components, and material used in drinking water systems. Zurn
PEX systems intended for potable water meet the requirements
of NSF 61.
NSF Standard 61 – Annex G
is the annex to NSF Standard 61
that tests for the amount of lead in a product for conformance
to California and Vermont low lead legislation. Zurn PEX systems
intended for potable water meet the requirements for NSF 61 –
Annex G.
NSF Standard 14
establishes physical, performance, and health
effects requirements for plastic piping system components and
related materials. Zurn PEX systems intended for potable water
meet the requirements of NSF 14.
NSF Markings
•
NSF-pw
indicates compliance to NSF Standards 61 and 14.
•
cNSFus-pw
indicates compliance to NSF Standards 61 and
14 as well as compliance to Canadian and U.S. standards
referenced in the respective national plumbing codes.
•
cNSFus-pw-G
indicates compliance to NSF Standards 61
and 14 including Annex G (low lead) as well as compliance
to Canadian and U.S. standards referenced in the respective
national plumbing codes.
ASTM Standards and Descriptions
PEX plumbing systems are frequently described
in one or more different ASTM Standards. Zurn
PEX has different PEX systems and components of
each system may be described in different ASTM
standards.
ASTM F 876
is the standard that specifies the material properties
and the dimensions for PEX tube. This tubing is “copper tube size”
meaning that the PEX tube has the same outside diameter as
copper tube. All of the tube made to this standard has the same
pressure-temperature ratings of 160 psi @ 73°F and 100 psi @
180°F. For heating applications, the standard also has a pressure-
temperature rating of 80 psi @ 200°F. Zurn PEX tube meets the
requirements of ASTM F 876.
ASTM F 877
is the standard that specifies the performance require-
ments for a PEX system, tube and fittings together. It has requirements
for Minimum Burst at 73°F and 180°F, Sustained Pressure Test
(1000 hours) at 73°F and 180°F, Thermocycling at 100 psi and
Excessive Temperature and Pressure for 30 days to simulate
a water heater malfunction. The Zurn PEX systems meet the
requirements of ASTM F 877.
NSF Standards, Descriptions, and Markings
ASTM F 1807
is the standard for brass or copper insert and crimp
fittings. This standard specifies acceptable materials for these fitting
and specifies the dimensions for the insert or barbed portion of the
fittings. It also gives the dimensions and the material specifications
for the copper crimp rings and the finished crimp dimensions. These
fittings, when tested with PEX tube have to meet the performance
requirements for PEX systems as required in ASTM F 877. Zurn PEX
brass insert fittings and copper crimp rings meet the requirements
of ASTM F 1807.
ASTM F 2159
is the standard for plastic insert and crimp fittings.
This standard specifies the acceptable materials and dimensions
for the fittings. It also has some test requirements for evaluating
the quality of the molding process that was used to make the
fittings. These fittings, when tested with PEX tube have to meet the
performance requirements for PEX systems as required in ASTM
F 877. Zurn PEX plastic insert fittings meet the requirements of
ASTM F 2159.
Other ASTM Fitting Standards
ASTM F 1960
is the standard for “Cold Expansion Fittings” as sold
by Wirsbo/Uponor. Zurn PEX tube can be used with these fittings
so the standard number is included in the print string on our tube
but the system is not covered by the Zurn PEX warranty.
ASTM F 2080
is the standard for “Cold Expansion Fittings with
Metal Compression Sleeves” as sold by Rehau. Zurn PEX tube can
be used with these fittings so the standard number is included in
the print string on our tube but the system is not covered by the
Zurn PEX warranty.
ASTM F 2098
is the standard for a “Stainless Steel Clamp” to be
used in place of a copper crimp ring for brass or copper insert
fittings meeting the requirements of F 1807 or plastic insert
fittings meeting the requirements of ASTM F 2159. Zurn PEX does
sell rings meeting the requirements of this standard and they are
covered by a special, limited time warranty.
Detailed Description of the
Test Requirements of ASTM F 877 for PEX Plumbing Systems
Burst Test at Room Temperature and 180°F
In this test, sample assemblies are subjected to a constantly
increasing pressure until something fails. The minimum acceptable
pressure depends on the size of the tube, but it is a minimum of
620 psi at room temperature and 275 psi at 180°F. The pressure
is increased at a rate that will cause failure in about 1 minute.
The significance of this test is that it demonstrates that the short
term strength of the connection exceeds the strength of the tube.
Sustained Pressure Test at 180°F
In this test, sample assemblies are place on a continuous pressure
test while in an oven or water bath at 180°F. The pressure depends
on the size of tube but it is a minimum of 190 psi. These samples
are kept on test for 1000 hours (six weeks) and they must not leak
or come apart.
