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Zurn PEX
®
Plumbing Installation Guide
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
ASTM Standards and Descriptions
, continued
The significance of this test is that it shows that at elevated temper-
ature, the connection is capable of holding the same elevated test
pressure that is required of the tube. Water pressure in homes is
typically between 40 and 60 psi so this test pressure is at least 3
times the usual pressure in a plumbing system.
Thermocycle Test
In this test, sample assemblies of are pressurized to 100 psi with
nitrogen gas. They are then immersed in a hot water bath at 180°F
and held there for a minimum of 2 minutes. After that the samples
are moved to a cold water bath and held there for 2 minutes. This
cycle is repeated 1000 times and the samples must not leak.
This test demonstrates that the connection between the tube and
fitting will remain leak free even as the temperature changes. This
test is very harsh because nitrogen gas is a much smaller molecule
than water and it will leak in situations were water would not.
Excessive Temperature and Pressure Test
In this test, sample assemblies are pressurized to 150 psi and kept
in an oven at 210°F. The samples are maintained at this condition
for 720 hours (30 days) and they must not leak or come apart.
Most domestic water heaters have temperature/pressure relief
valve that operate when the temperature exceeds 210°F or the
pressure exceeds 150 psi. This test demonstrates that even at the
extreme conditions of a water heater malfunction, the system is
capable handling the pressure and temperature without leaking
or coming apart.
Other Tests
In addition to the required ASTM tests, Zurn PEX has some in-house
tests that our systems are expected to pass. Even though water
hammer is typically not an issue with PEX plumbing, there are
instances when PEX may be used in combination with a rigid
piping material such as copper. In this instance, the PEX system
may be subjected to pressure surges from water hammer in the
rigid material. Zurn PEX systems are subjected to a minimum of
250,000 water hammer shocks with pressure surges up to 400 psi.
They must withstand this without leaking or blowing apart.
250,000 water hammer shocks is equivalent to 25 shocks a day
for 25 years. This test demonstrates that the connections do not
fail or fatigue with repeated pressure shocks.
PEX tube, like all tubes, expands and contracts with changes in the
air temperature and the water temperature in the tube. Because of
this, connections are subjected to some flexing as the tube expands
and contracts. Zurn PEX systems are subjected a flexing test for
250,000 cycles while being pressurized at 200 psi.
This test is intended to demonstrate that the connections do not
leak even when there is flexing in the system caused by expansion
and contraction of the tube.
A Summary of Zurn PEX Systems,
Components, and Applicable ASTM Standards
Zurn PEX Tube
ASTM F 876, F 877
Zurn PEX Brass and Copper Insert Fittings
ASTM F 1807
Zurn PEX Plastic Insert Fittings
ASTM F 2159
Zurn PEX Qickclamp
ASTM F 877 as a system with Zurn PEX tube and Zurn PEX
copper, brass, and plastic insert fittings.
Zurn PEX SSC
ASTM F 2098
