DESIGN GUIDE Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems 2006
This DESIGN GUIDE Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems provides the information and resources necessary to design and install cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) water supply systems in residential buildings. It includes comprehensive design concepts and installation guidelines to increase the acceptance and proper use of PEX. This document is targeted to meet the needs of home builders, designers, and trade contractors. Its purpose is to introduce potential users to PEX and to enable current users to optimize their PEX plumbing and minimize system costs. In addition, it will allow code inspectors and homeowners to become familiar with the applications, performance characteristics, and benefits of PEX water supply systems.
You can also Read Plumbing Engineering services design guide 2002 Edition
There are numerous opportunities for more widespread use of PEX pipe in the U.S. residential market. The development of manifolds and parallel plumbing systems for flexible piping has helped to advance its use. All major residential building codes permit the use of PEX piping, but obstacles to its acceptance still remain. There is anecdotal also research information that shows:
- Some plumbers are reluctant to use PEX piping due to a lack of experience with installation methods and design requirements
- Some jurisdictions prohibit the use of PEX piping for water supply plumbing even though PEX pipe is approved for use in all model codes
- Codes were originally written for rigid trunk and branch systems; while they have now been amended to include PEX piping systems, they do not provide many system design details
- There is a perception among some that PEX piping systems are inferior as a building product, generally based on knowledge of past failures of PB piping systems.
DESIGN GUIDE Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems Applications
PEX piping can be used in a wide variety of applications in residential construction. This Design Guide is focused on the design and installation of PEX hot and cold water supply systems, which can be used for both new construction and remodeling projects. Other applications for PEX are described in a separate section of this guide and include:
Radiant floor heating systems for suspended floor systems or in slab construction
Municipal water service pipe in underground applications
Snow and ice melt systems for sidewalks, driveways, entrances, and ramps
Turf conditioning for greenhouses, golf courses, and sports field surfaces
Fire suppression systems (residential fire sprinklers)
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