Is ABS suitable for water supply?

[lynn2000]

I feel confused about one of the sample questions in Ballast Building System. Question 54 for selecting incorrect statement, the last choice " D. ABS is suitable for water supply" is considered right, but what I read elsewhere is ABS is only for DWV (drainage, waste, vent). I couldn't find explanation anywhere. Do anybody understand this? Thanks.

[rifkamattman]

I don't have Ballast so not sure the question, but did a quick google search and it seems that ABS is for drainage only. Sounds like it isn't rated for hot water use (will deteriorate over time). So I am in agreement with you. Found this on ehow:

Water Pipes

Until the development of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride -- CPVC -- which has better heat tolerance than PVC, plumbers have used PVC pipes for residential water supply plumbing. PVC is commonly used to deliver water from its source to the home, for garden sprinkler systems and other landscape irrigation. PVC pipes are available in diameters as small as 1/2 inch. Because building codes permit ABS pipe for drainage use only it is not an acceptable choice for delivering pressurized water. The smallest common size of ABS pipe is 1 1/2 inches.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_6079874_abs-pipe-vs_-pvc.html

[Centroidal14]

ABS plastic can be used for delivering pressurized water.

ABS plastic can be used in small buildings but NOT in large buildings because there aren't fittings for large pipes. plastic has less friction, copper has more. long length of this is $4 and copper can be around $30 per same length.

Plastic is becoming more accepted.

I have ballast and saw the piping topic in a vid somewhere. I was going through Plumbing two days ago. Good luck!

[rifkamattman]

Centroidal14, are you sure that the vid you saw talked about ABS? I saw a video that talked about plastic in general with the same characteristics you mention, but don't remember any mention of ABS.

just wondering.

[Centroidal14]

Well, the image of the pipe that I saw in the video looked identical to images I saw online. And the guy, holding the pipe, said plastic...not ABS.

So I decided to search google and even the International plumbing code. I found additional info but couldn't back up Ballast's claim that ABS is suitable for water supply. So no. I don't the vid didn't specifically mention ABS. I hope someone will chime in because now I'd like to know!

checked my MEEB book. what do you think??:


19.10 piping, tubing, fittings and controls

(b) Plastic Pipe
Most of the plastic pipes and fittings now produced
are synthetic resins derived from such materials
as coal and petroleum. These corrosion‐resistant
materials are widely used in water supply piping,
fittings, and drainage systems (see Chapter 20). The
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) tests and
certifies plastic pipe; the NSF seal must appear on
pipes that are to carry potable water.
Most of the materials used for piping are thermoplastics
and will repeatedly soften under the
application of heat. PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
material can carry water at 180°F (82°C), but
plastic pipe should not be subjected to temperatures
higher than this. Expansion (see Table 19.12) is
much greater than that of other piping materials
for the same Δt and affects the piping design. Shockresistant
plastic is used in the plumbing systems of
most mobile homes.

[Centroidal14]

Ok. Forget what I said up above.

I checked my BALLAST ARE review manual book and page 31-8 states that that ABS is used as drainage.
I checked MEEP and in table 21.13 it states that ABS is used for water service only. not for water service and distribution

ugggh. studying all day. brain friend. hope someone solves this for us!:)

[lynn2000]

Here is the sample question from Ballast book, page 15.

54. Select the incorrect statement.
A. Several types of plastic can be used for cold water piping, but only PVDC may be used for hot water supply (where allowed by local codes)
B. Steel pipe is more labor intensive and requires more space in plumbing chases than copper pipe.
C. Type M pipe is normally specified for most interior plumbing.
D. ABS is suitable for water supply.

Solution
Type M copper pipe is only used for low-pressure piping, Type L is the one most commonly used in plumbing installations.

The answer is C.

which means D is right.

[shortindiangirl]

I'm not sure that C being wrong means that D is right. I think this is a case of which is the MOST incorrect. It could be that since ABS can be used (only) for cold water supply, it is not fully incorrect, only partially incorrect. But Type M is not usually specified for interior plumbing and therefore FULLY incorrect.

[vrcat25]

Bump...

Is ABS used regularly for drainage? I could see how somebody would say that this is incorrect too since ABS is obviously not used for water supply as ballast states.

[Patt]

http://www.diffen.com/difference/ABS_vs_PVC

[vrcat25]

http://www.diffen.com/difference/ABS_vs_PVC

I read that and it verifies what i stated that it does not appear to be suitable for water supply and is used for drainage. Therefore, it would also be an incorrect answer in ballast.

[Patt]

agreed

[vrcat25]

agreed

Ok, thanks for verifying.