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PEX tubing

Types of Radiant Heating Manifolds

Nov 24th, 2010
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The radiant heating manifolds are units used in radiant plumbing applications. They are assembled along with the PEX tubing so that an effective system can be obtained to be used in commercial and residential spaces. There are different kinds of radiant heating manifolds that are used in plumbing applications.

Balancing Valves: These are manifolds that are used to regulate the flow of water supply. It forms an integral part of the plumbing mechanism as it also helps in regulating the temperature of flow of water supplied.

Drain Valve: The drain manifold is another important part of the plumbing system. Draining is as important as supplying so that no dirty water remains in the store unit. This is needed to improve the overall functioning of the system and to maintain it for long lasting use. Use of these units makes it easy and faster to drain out the non required water.

Flow Meter: This is another type of radiant heating manifold which is used to regulate the volume of water that has to be streamed out through outlet manifold. It is important part of the system as without having full control on the flow of water system it is not possible to use it for long time. It also helps in avoiding any kind of wastage of water or energy thereby making the entire system more functional and increasing its operational life.

Air Vents: Finally, there are air vents that are used to clean up the air from the heating system. Presence of air around the heating system can make it more disturbing. It can also hinder its working and can reduce its overall working life. So, it is important to make use of automatic air vents so that a totally risk free mechanism can be obtained.

While looking for radiant heating manifolds just make sure that all these four are present.

Fittings: Two Types of PEX Tees

Nov 8th, 2010
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Flow of water is not restricted to one single pipe line only. It flows in all direction! For this PEX tees are used extensively in all kinds of plumbing mechanisms made with PEX tubing and other fittings. These units are a sub part of PEX fittings and are used for dividing or combining the flow of liquid within two or more pipe lines.

Normally there are two types of PEX tees which are used by homebuilders to meet out different requirements.

  • Open ends
  • Closed ends

Although, the basic structure of both these types is alike which is a “t-shaped” unit, but still two of them possess different functionality. While an open end tee has all its ends opened up, the other one has two closed ends with only one opened up. An open tee is used for joining three pipe lines. Normally, a larger line is joined with two smaller ones so that water can be branched out in different regions. So, a ‘dividing’ role is played by the tee in this scenario.

This entire functionality is completely rotated in tees with closed ends. Such a unit has one of its ends closed while keeping the other two totally open. So, it is used for joining two separate tubing lines so that they can be united into one, single line. This implies that two lines are combined with each other so that they can serve adequate amount of water in larger spaces. Such PEX tees therefore play a ‘combining’ role in this kind of water supply structure.

Both these two types of units are designed with expertise into various sizes so that they can be used along with PEX tubing of different size. Since, such units are made up with metal so they inherit more resistance to corrosion and more durability. They provide better functionality in plumbing applications in comparison to units made with plastic which is why homebuilders have an inclining end towards these items. Some open ends tees are obtainable along with valves as well which can be closed and open with ease.

Employing PEX tees in all kinds of plumbing functionalities is a wise task to do!

PEX tubing + PEX Universe – a successful alliance

Oct 24th, 2010
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PEX tubing production of USA company PEX Universe (PEXUniverse.com) proved to be excellent in 17 countries. For 6 years she is in great demand in the Seattle construction market. PEX tubing from PEX Universe (PEX Universe) distinguish the optimal combination of price and quality, wide range, universal use in various types of heating and plumbing, plumbing and heating.

PEX Universe company was founded in 1972 as a small family business producing PEX products.

PEX Universe (PEX Universe) today – is:

* Two factories with total area of 154,000 square meters. m, equipped with modern equipment;
* Fourth place in the world in terms of production of PEX tubing products made of PEX;
* 750 offices in 17 countries;
* 70% of the Turkish market tubular products;
* Fully automated production of feed raw materials to finished production.

pex universe

pex universe

Representatives of the USA company PEX Universe (PEX Universe) been looking for a partner in New York. For the upcoming collaboration required a financial investment and expertise in promoting a new brand. The leaders  PEX tubing prospect of such cooperation is not in doubt.

Main product of PEX Universe

Oct 23rd, 2010
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First, the company has had experience with the products PEX Universe (PEX Universe). Specialists PEX tubing was installed more than 150 kilometers of polypropylene PEX tubing for domestic water and heating, as well as corrugated Plumbing PEX tubing and could ensure the quality and reliability of PEX tubing from PEX Universe (PEX Universe).

For technical indicators are in no way inferior to the well-known European brands in St. Petersburg. High quality PEX tubing PEX Universe (PEX Universe) confirmed and consistent with international and national standards: ISO, DIN, EN, TSE, GOST.

Secondly, the PEX tubing PEX Universe cheaper European counterparts for at least 20-30%, as pricing of the company is focused not on the euro and the dollar.
This will significantly reduce the cost of utilities during the construction and reconstruction of the communication systems and thus will enable the construction and engineering companies to offer their customers more competitive projects.

PEX tubing offers a wide range of PEX tubing manufactured PEX Universe (PEX Universe):

* External Plumbing PEX tubing (corrugated plumbing and drainage PEX tubing for storm water and Plumbing drainage in diameter from 100 mm to 2 m, the rigidity of class SN 8);
* Polypropylene PEX tubing for domestic plumbing and heating;
* Pressure polyethylene PEX tubing PE 80 and PE 100 for outdoor and underground water systems with a diameter up to 2,6 m;
* PEX tubing for domestic Plumbing from PEX;
* PEX  PEX tubing of PE 80;
* Kabelezaschitnye PEX tubing;
* PEX tubing for deep wells.

PEX tubing

Oct 22nd, 2010
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- Michael, what are the reasons for the rapid development of the company?
- First, the key to success in the product itself. At the European level of quality product prices Everhot 20-30% lower than the western counterparts. This is due to the fact that the products Everhot focused not on the euro and the dollar.
Secondly, the company PEX tubing “was founded on the basis of large commercial and industrial holding company. The investment enabled the company to build a modern, spacious office and warehouse space. Our warehouses supported by virtually the entire range of products we offer. Including large-diameter PEX tubing. This allows you as quickly as possible to ensure that any customer need.
All the specialists have been trained and are ready to provide the client with any detailed information about the products offered. We conduct seminars and consultations on product Everhot as in his office, and on-site at client’s office or directly on the object.

Pipe is the PEX tubing FIRAT

Oct 22nd, 2010
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According to studies by UPONOR, concern FIRAT (Firat) took fourth place in the world in volume production of PEX tubing products made of PEX. FIRAT provides 70% of the Turkish market tubular products and has 750 offices worldwide.

PEX tubing Firat

Products FIRAT has international quality certificates: ISO, DVGW, RAL, VDE, SKZ – and complies with international and national standards: ISO, DIN, EN, GOST, TSE. For the seventh year of production FIRAT is in great demand in the Seattle construction market. In St. Petersburg production FIRAT represents Ltd PEX tubing.

- Company “PEX tubing” was founded as a representative group FIRAT. The company’s goal is to promote high- quality modern products for engineering systems on the market of the North-West.

- Tell us more about the products FIRAT.

- We represent the entire range of products FIRAT for internal and external engineering systems:
• corrugated plumbing and drainage PEX tubing for storm water and Plumbing sanitation, the rigidity of class SN 8;
• polypropylene PEX tubing for domestic plumbing and heating;
• pressure polyethylene PEX tubing
PE 80 and PE 100;
• PEX PEX tubing;
• PEX tubing for domestic Plumbing from PEX;
• PEX  PEX tubing made of PE 80;
• kabelezaschitnye PEX tubing;
• PEX tubing for deep wells (up to 300 m).

I would like to elaborate on the PEX tubing for the outdoor sanitation.
Plumbing PEX tubing FIRAT have a two-layer structure. The outer corrugated surface – a black, inner smooth – yellow. Class stiffness SN 8.
The main advantages of plumbing PEX tubing FIRAT: resistance to stress, light weight, chemical resistance to aggressive environments (acids, alkalis, chemicals), insensitivity to high temperatures, as well as increased durability. Corrugated PEX tubing FIRAT hygienic, impact-resistant, easy to install. They are easily interconnected with couplings. The range of products offered have all the necessary types of fittings. Their use eliminates the need for additional equipment, arc welder, adhesives, etc.
Diameter tubes produced from 100 mm to 3600 mm.

Battle: PEX vs Copper

Sep 28th, 2010
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The battle is on between PEX tubing (or plumbing if you like) and Copper tubing. Most people have already been swayed to the PEX corner by cheaper and easier installation as well as effectiveness even in acidic conditions. This round is for the few skeptics who may still remain.

With PEX plumbing, do not have to worry about vandals who like digging up cables and tubing. It may seem like a laughable problem now but it would not be so funny, when compelled to go without water, for weeks after sections of your plumbing disappear overnight. Though this problem is more common with copper tubing, metals in general are never quite safe unlike PEX which is of no value.

As environmental temperatures change, so do those of water varying from normal room temperature to extremely hot or extremely cold. Copper tubing is not exceeding accommodative of these changes. The pipes tend to weaken due to the constantly changing temperatures and can even end up bursting. PEX tubing, on the other hand, comfortably expands and contracts in line with temperatures making it a better suited option.

For any environmentalists who may be crying foul over the fact that PEX tubing is essentially made of plastic, the fantastic news is that PEX tubing can be recycled in not just one but three ways-thermally, chemically and mechanically. Take your pick; stick to PEX tubing and save planet Earth.

With durability that can span at least 50 years, PEX piping is less likely to spring a leak than Copper piping. However, as the plumbing eventually wears down over time, some sections may need to be replaced. In the case of Copper tubing, the plumbing may have to be treated chemically to ensure that there is no residue left from soldering the (numerous) joints. Replacing PEX tubing is as easy as installing it-fewer connections = less joints = less soldering = you happy.

Sadly PEX tubing is not infallible. One of the greatest drawbacks is that it has to be kept away from direct sunlight due to its plastic nature and can therefore, not be used outside. All things said and done it are rather obvious, that the pros outweigh the cons by far. It shouldn’t be too presumptuous then to declare PEX piping / plumbing the outright winner of Round 2 and this fight in general. Wasn’t much a fight, was it?

Facts behind the Use of PEX tubing with Oxygen barrier

Sep 27th, 2010
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The Oxygen barrier PEX tubing is manufacturing meets the ASTM F876/F877 standard. At 180F, the pressure rate is 100psi. The Oxygen barrier PEX tubing is for various radiant applications that include melting snow systems, return and supply lines of boilers, radiant floor heating, and baseboard and radiator systems.

The barrier diffusion of Oxygen tubing prevents iron corrosion in the heating part per DIN 4726 standards. These parts include boiler heating elements, circulators and radiators. In addition, the Oxygen PEX tubing is available in a variety of sizes.

The type of application and requirements of the heat load determines the size of the barrier PEX tubing. The manufacturer of the radiant system gives these specifications.

½” PEX tubing is the most available size. This is for radiant heat installations that include engineered floors, non reinforced concrete slab and reinforced concrete slabs, sandwich installations and the sub floor installations.

The ¾” PEX tubing is for the snowmelt system. This is because the snowmelt system requires a flow rate that is higher than that of radiant heating. The PEX tubing type is common in aluminum or iron radiators and also copper fined baseboards.

1” PEX tubing is for the radiant manifold or boiler return and supply lines. The size of the PEX tubing makes it possible for the tube to transport water for longer distances. In addition, the size also makes it one of the best options for the installation of wood furnaces outdoors.

The 3/8 inch PEX tubing is for residential radiant heating applications of slabs that are non-structural. Its flexibility makes it the ideal choice for small areas. It is used in the kitchen and bathroom radiant heat applications.

5/8 inch PEX tubing replaces the ½” PEX when higher rates of flow or heat loads are required. Additionally it is a replacement for the ¾” PEX where the applications need less flow and more flexibility. A good example of this is the snows melt systems.

The oxygen barrier tubing is abbreviated EVOH which is a layer of special polymer on the outer surface of the pipes that helps protect ferrous components from corrosion. The cast iron components in the radiant heat system that the pipes protect include circulator pumps, air scoops among others. The oxygen barrier tubes are readily available at pocket friendly prices. They are not suitable for water supply lines as the water has oxygen at all times.

California approves PEX for plumbing — again

Sep 22nd, 2010
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SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The California Building Standards Commission has given its approval for the use of PEX tubing in potable water systems in the state following its review of a Second Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (SRDEIR). PEX had been approved in the California Plumbing Code until a group called the Coalition for Safe Building Materials sued the Building Standards Commission.

Opponents of plastic pipe were the chief backers of the Coalition for Safe Building Materials, said Dick Church, executive director of the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association.

PEX became part of the California Plumbing Code in August 2009, following the CBSC’s January 2009 certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on PEX and the commission’s ensuing unanimous adoption of regulations approving PEX water distribution systems. This summer, however, the CBSC was compelled to repeal the inclusion of PEX in the state code, effective July 1, 2010, to comply with a court order.

The Commission’s action allows the statewide use of PEX in hospitals, clinics, schools, residences and commercial structures. The effective date of the action is August 18, 2010, for the 2007 California Plumbing Code and January 1, 2011, for the 2010 CPC.

Prior to the inclusion of PEX in the California Plumbing Code a year ago, 180 municipalities and counties within the state had already approved the use of PEX tubing as an alternate material to copper and other materials used for plumbing piping. During the time when PEX was temporarily removed from the plumbing code, those jurisdictions could continue to use PEX under those same alternate-materials provisions of California law.

“We estimated that half of the new houses in California had PEX in them based on local approvals,” Church told CONTRACTOR, noting that was the case before the recession when houses were still being built in California.

The CBSC reinstated PEX with the caveats that underground PEX must be sleeved, the material had to stand up to recirculating hot water, the fittings won’t de-zincify, and PEX systems had to be filled and flushed.

“We’re very pleased with the action of the California Building Standards Commission,” said Adina Barnes, strategic marketing director for PEX manufacturer Viega LLC. “This is the end of a long process and we appreciate the effort of all involved in getting to this result.”

“We are committed to giving Californians the right to choose the plumbing product that is best for them and their applications,” said Rich Houle, associate product manager, Uponor Commercial Plumbing. “Regardless of individual preferences, we fully support everyone’s right to use the plumbing material of their choice if that material meets the highest testing and listing standards required, and PEX does.”

According to Houle, “Given its many years of successful and proven performance in plumbing systems worldwide, Uponor PEX meets all the relevant criteria, and Californians deserve the same choice in systems that is currently enjoyed by builders and installers in all 49 other states.”

The resolution is the result of an agreement with the State of California, PPFA and other representatives of industry, and the California Pipe Trades Council, Church said. He believes this terminates the dispute although the Pipe Trades Council could technically ask the court to first discharge the writ of mandamus against the Building Standard Commission.

The CBSC issued five rules for PEX when it reinstated the material. Those rules are:

When PEX tubing is placed in soil and is used in potable water systems intended to supply drinking water to fixtures or appliances, the tubing or piping shall be sleeved with a material approved for potable water use in soil or other material that is impermeable to solvents or petroleum products.

PEX installed in any recirculating hot water system must meet or exceed the ASTM F876-08 performance requirements for PEX tubing product life in a continuously recirculating hot water system.

PEX brass fittings must meet or exceed the NSF 14-2009 requirements to prevent dezincification and stress crack corrosion.

All installations of PEX tubing where it is the initial plumbing piping installed in new construction shall be flushed twice over a period of at least one week. The pipe system shall be first flushed for at least 10 minutes and then filled and allowed to stand for no less than one week, after which all the branches of the pipe system must be flushed long enough to fully empty the contained volume. This provision shall not apply to the installation of PEX tubing where it replaces an existing pipe system of any material.

At the time of fill, each fixture shall have a removable tag applied stating:

“This new plumbing system was first filled and flushed on ______ (date) by ___________ (name). The State of California requires that the system be flushed after standing at least one week after the fill date specified above. If this system is used earlier than one week after the fill date, the water must be allowed to run for at least two minutes prior to use for human consumption. This tag may not be removed prior to the completion of the required second flushing, except by the building owner or occupant.”

Prior to issuing a building permit to install PEX tubing, the building official shall require as part of the permitting process that the contractor, or the appropriate plumbing subcontractors, provide written certification that he or she will comply with the flushing procedures set forth in the Code.

The building official shall not give final permit approval of any PEX plumbing installation unless he or she finds that the material has been installed in compliance with the requirements of the Code, including the requirements to flush and tag the systems. Any contractor or subcontractor found to have failed to comply with the PEX flushing requirements shall be subject to the penalties in Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 1.5, Chapter 6 (Section 17995, et seq.).

All PEX tubing installed in California must provide at least 30-day UV protection.

California Building Standards Commission

Source: http://contractormag.com/news/california-pex-plumbing-1234/

If Copper Pipes Are Too Costly …

Sep 19th, 2010
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By JAY ROMANO

THE price of copper has nearly quadrupled over the last four years, and plumbers and do-it-yourselfers are taking a fresh look at alternatives to copper tubing and fittings. And what some are turning to is a flexible synthetic material called PEX.

Illustration by Tom Bloom

Andy Engel, a home improvement contractor in Roxbury, Conn., said that PEX is a “clumsy acronym’’ for cross-linked polyethylene, a flexible plastic tubing that has been used primarily for radiant heating since the 1960’s.

In recent years, the use of PEX for potable water — the piping that delivers drinking water to home faucets — has increased by about 40 percent each year.

Copper still accounts for about 80 percent of the market for plumbing systems; other metals and plastics accounting for the remainder. But the recent increases in copper prices, along with growing confidence in PEX, is making it more popular.

“The scuttlebutt among plumbers is that PEX is every bit as reliable as copper, yet costs less and is faster to install.’’ Mr. Engel wrote in the June/July issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine.

While copper plumbing has proved to be quite reliable over the last 75 years or so, it does require some skill when using a torch to solder the fittings used to connect two pieces of copper. And because the copper tubing used in most plumbing applications is rigid, soldered joints are necessary whenever the tubing changes direction.

But with PEX, installation is easier.

“You don’t need a torch,” Mr. Engel said, because PEX connections are made using compression fittings that can be installed with an adjustable wrench or, in some cases, with crimped connections made with a special crimping tool.

And while PEX fittings are typically more expensive than copper fittings, you generally need fewer fittings with PEX.

Greg Lowitz, the president of Builders Websource, a Redwood City, Calif., company that provides advice and resources to the construction industry, said that because PEX is flexible, it can change direction with no need of fittings. It is relatively easy to install a supply line directly from the water source to an appliance using just one connection at each end.

Mr. Lowitz said that the best way to install PEX is to use a manifold, a distribution fixture similar to the circuit-breaker panel. The manifold connects to the main water supply and the main hot water line and then supplies individual runs of tubing to various appliances and fixtures.

The manifold eliminates the “branch line’’ system of conventional plumbing in which the lines to individual fixtures branch off a larger supply line. The manifold system makes it possible to shut off individual supply lines and to add new lines without having to tap into existing lines, Mr. Lowitz said, and it can even save energy by routing hot water directly from the manifold to the fixture.

Mr. Engel, the contractor, said that it is also possible to connect individual PEX lines to an existing copper system by using a fitting that accepts a copper pipe on one end and a PEX line at the other.

And while some PEX manufacturers will sell only to licensed plumbers, he said, do-it-yourselfers can find PEX tubing and fittings at large home-improvement centers and on the Internet.

“PEX is definitely a do-it-yourself option,’’ Mr. Engel said. “If you can make a straight cut and tighten up a nut, you can work with PEX.’’

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/realestate/03home.html

Doing a shift from Galvanized pipe to PEX pipes

Sep 18th, 2010
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It may be surprising why one will want to make a shift from the galvanized pipe to the PEX plumbing tubes. Well, probably the answer lies within a clogging in the pipes of your house. The reason why pipes get galvanized is because the coating in the galvanized area provides a certain protection of the metal from rust. The question still remains on how long this coating does last. More often than not we do come across some form of corrosion in the pipes, an evidence that these galvanized pipes do not really last as long as they should. Besides, some form of calcium starts building over inner surfaces of pipes, due to zinc galvanization, and causes clogging up of the pipe, making the whole system ineffective. Another reason why it is disadvantageous to use galvanized piping over PEX pipes is that they form certain types of corrosion with copper, if the union is not dielectric.

Replacing Galvanized Pipes with PEX Tubing

This might compel to change your system from what is in use to another form. Some of the steps that will be required to take are included below.

Step 1: Make sure all the water is well drained. Probably have to go to your building’s main supply in order to do this. Shut off all the water since it will definitely interfere with the replacement process.

Step 2: Remove the galvanized pipes that need replacement. This can be done by the use of hacksaws, tube cutters and band saws, according to the type of binding that was done on them.

Step 3: There is a threading transition that needs to be installed before fixing the PEX plumbing pipes. These transitions are those that make it possible to combine these two materials into to form one system. Depending on the PEX pipe used and its size, dielectric union should be necessary at this stage.

Step 4: It is now possible to connect the PEX plumbing tube with the fitting that has been provided. On doing this, make sure that accuracy is preserved. This is because it is quite a soft material, despite its durability and its tough plastic nature.

Step 5: Some tests to your replacements are mandatory at this stage, in order to verify whether the replacement does not leave any leaks. The pressure test is most accurate and will give us the best indicator.

PEX tubing – not problem!

Sep 8th, 2010
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PEX tubing, the inner part of which is made from polibuten in Seattle is still quite rare. Meanwhile, more than 15 years of Austrian firm NIOXY produced and through its dealer network established in various countries, 50 million meters of tubing of this type. The PEX UNIVERSE, specializing in installation of low-temperature heating systems, mounted in the floor, the first being delivered in our country PEX tubing who, with their relatively high cost, however, had several advantages over metal-polymeric tubing of other materials. This is primarily a longer resistance to pressure and temperature, the temperature resistance of 115 ° C at rated working pressure, resistance to compression (4,4 H / MME at 95 ° C), high resistance to cracking, and a number of specific indicators.

The inner layer of tubes, through which water is made of high flexibility type polibuten SHELL PB 4125, produced by Japanese company MITSUI SEKKA. The next layer of aluminum foil provides a tubing full oxygen barrier. The third layer of polyester fiber gives the strength of the tubing structure and increases its resistance to excess pressure. Finally, the fourth layer of polyethylene protects the tubing from mechanical damage and ensures the safety of assembly systems. Connecting tubing and components produced by thermal welding. Tools – scissors for cutting tubing, welding machine and device for removing protective layers – like used for welding polypropylene tubes. The technology of welding is specific and requires some training.

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