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Until recent l y, mechan ica l cont rac to rs

installing drain, waste and vent systems in

commercial environments were limited in options. But

due to innovations by IPEX in nonmetallic DWV piping

systems for plenums and high-rises, installers are

beginning to see that System XFR® makes good economic

sense. The IPEX system is easier to work with and

requires far less maintenance.

For over ten years, System 15® has been supplied

throughout Canada and has become the product of choice

for many contractors and designers, particularly for low-rise and light commercial construction. When System 15cannot be used due to code restrictions on plenums and

high-rises, System XFR can fill the void. Contractors allacross Canada are discovering System XFR’sadvantages in a wide range of practical, cost-saving applications.

Today, System XFR coupled with System 15,delivers the industry’s only top-to-bottomthermoplastic DWV system for all types of lowand high-rise construction and commercialand institutional projects. Tested andapproved to meet stringent flame spread andsmoke development code requirements, thesesystems are ideal for installation in hospitals,senior care facilities, apartment buildings andother multi-story or non-combustible structures.

Read on for a sample of projects utilizingIPEX System XFR-DWV.

Today, System XFR coupled with System 15 delivers theindustry’s only top-to-bottomthermoplastic DWV system

System XFR Case Study #3Site: North Slave Corrections Facility, Yellowknife, Northwest TerritoriesWhen a nearby facility was closed for code reasons, a new YouthOffender Facility was required in Yellowknife within months. Thenew facility had to be built quickly and on a fixed budget.

The restrictive nature of the Group B Division 1 buildingclassification required that all building products meet verystringent flame and smoke requirements. Based on pastexperience, the mechanical engineer selected IPEX System XFR

knowing it met all of the building coderequirements and with a lower installedcost would meet the budget requirementsas well.

The lower weight of System XFR provedto be a bonus during installation as wellas reduced freight cost to thecontractor. The completed installationsatisfied all parties: engineer, ownerand contractor, proving once again thatSystem XFR was the ideal productchosen for this demanding installation.

The project was completed on time andon budget.System XFR Case Study #2

Site: Lépine Towers & FaubourgSt-Laurent, Montreal, QuebecSystem XFR recently made its debut inMontreal at two major condo sites. AtLépine Towers the consultants, DuprasLedoux & Assoc., specified the IPEXSystem for more than 20,500 metresof drain, waste and vents, while atFaubourg St-Laurent the parking leveldrainage system was plumbed withSystem XFR, as per Lafrance M+Especifications.

Contractors at both sites, Groupe MDFand Plomberie Richard Jubinville, chose itfor its strong impact resistance and long-term protection. SystemXFR was created to withstand the punishment of normaltransportation, storage and rough handling; its coating is fused tothe PVC substrate to deliver unparalleled protection for the life ofthe pipe and fittings.

From an economic standpoint, this equates to long-term savings,thanks to System XFR’s corrosion resistance and reducedmaintenance. Tested to the demanding CAN/ULC-S102.2 standardfor flame spread and smoke developed classifications, System XFRis the only plastic alternative to metal that meets code requirementsfor flame and smoke.

System XFR Case Study #4Site: Vaughan Mills, Vaughan, OntarioAt 1.2 million square feet with 200stores, restaurants and entertainmentvenues, the newly constructed VaughanMills represents one of the largestshopping centres in Ontario.

Mechanical contractor Geo. A. KelsonCo. Ltd. of Newmarket was awarded the

project and chose IPEX System XFR-DWV forall 4 inch rainwater leaders on the project. Since much of thispiping was to be installed in return air plenums, it was necessaryfor the piping system to possess both Flame and Smoke ratings.

The plans called for a number of lines to be mounted highoverhead and since PVC is much lighter than metal, it requiredmuch less time and labor to install. And thanks to its lowerrate of thermal conductivity, System XFR required no exteriorinsulation as is often required for metal pipe. The project wascompleted on time and was considered an overall success asSystem XFR proved to be a viable alternative and solution forthe contractor.

System XFR Case Study #1Site: Jean Coutu PJC Pharmacy, Moncton, New BrunswickCommercial buildings are protected by stringent fire and smokeregulations, so it’s no surprise engineers working on the Jean Coutu PJCPharmacy specified System XFR DWV. The special fire-retardantproperties of System XFR eliminate flame spread and greatly reduce theamount of smoke generated.

The mechanical contractors also chose IPEX because of Systems 15and XFR’s reputation of being the industry’s only integratedthermoplastic system for low and high-rise buildings. By usingcombined systems, the contractors didn’thave to worry about transitions to metalsystems, therefore saving job site timeand money.

“We’ve always liked System 15, so wewere really pleased with how well itworked with XFR. There’ll be no need toworry about air plenums on future jobs.”David Leger, Contractor, George’sPlumbing and Heating.

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In addition to the complete line of cements for System XFR

and System 15 installation, IPEX provides a wide range of

industry leading firestopping products. Whether the

installation requires caulking, wrap straps,

collar devices, cast-in-place or

simply firestraps, IPEX provides

fully certified products to

complete the installation.

Complete firestoppingfrom IPEX

About IPEX

IPEX offers the world’s most extensive range of

thermoplastic piping systems for the mechanical,

plumbing, municipal, industrial and electrical markets.

Visit us at our web site www.ipexinc.com or for more

information, call us at 1 866 473-9462

To receive more information, complete this form and fax to (905) 403-1124.If you know of someone who would like to be added to our mailing list for Pipeline, simply complete this form with their contact information and fax it back to us.

Code CompatibilitySystem XFR pipe and fittings, when used in combinationwith System 15, not only satisfies National and ProvincialBuilding Codes but also provides a cost effective, trouble-free long-term installation:

• To use thermoplastic piping in a building classified asnoncombustible, the material must meet a flame spreadrating of 25 or less. Approval to use thermoplastic pipingin noncombustible buildings is detailed in clause3.1.5.15.(1) of the Building Code.

• Products for use within air plenums must meet a flamespread of 25 or less and a smoke developed classificationof 50 or less (Building Code article 3.6.4.3.(1)).

• Products to be used within a building deemed to be high-rise must also meet the smoke-developed classification of50 or less (Building Code article 3.2.6.)).

• The fire resistance rating of a material is attained byhaving the product tested according to a prescribed testmethod. National and Provincial Codes specify the testrequirements in 3.1.12.1.(2). In the case ofthermoplastic piping the prescribed test method isULC/CAN S102.2.

By using System XFR and System 15 in combination,designers and contractors can maximize the potentialinstallation and cost benefits offered by these two products.

Expansion LoopsNormally, piping systems are designed with sufficientdirectional changes to inherently compensate forexpansion and contraction. However, when this is not thecase or when there is reasonable doubt as to adequateflexibility of the system, expansion loops or expansionjoints are necessary. If an expansion loop (fabricated with90º elbows and straight pipe) is used, the length R shouldbe determined by using the following formula to ensure itis of sufficient length to absorb expansion and contractionmovement without damage.

R = 1.44R = Expansion loop leg length (ft.)D = Nominal outside diameter of pipe (in.)

ΔL = Dimensional change due to thermal expansion or contraction (in.)

Example: for 3" Sch 80 PVC pipe, ΔT = 70ºF, run = 100', ΔL = 2.52. How long should the expansion loop legs be inorder to compensate for the expansion?

R = 1.44 3.50 x 2.52 = 1.44 8.82 = 4.28 ft.

In situations where straight runs of pipe are long or the endsof a straight run are restricted from movement or where thesystem is restrained, flexibility must be inserted into a pipesystem through the introduction of flexural offsets. In eachcase, rigid supports or restraints should not be placed withthe leg length of an expansion loop, offset or bend.

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Information taken from the Drainage Systems for Noncombustible ConstructionTechnical Manual available through IPEX.