Abstract:

　　A new study highlights the role of plastic pipe, tubing and fittings in green building technologies.

　　The report, “Green Building Technologies that Use Plastic Pipe and Tubing to Function,” was compiled by Sustainability Edge Solutions and is available through the Glen Ellyn-based Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association.

　　The study cites various advantages of plastic piping systems including durability and strength combined with chemical, weather and corrosion resistance and biological inertness; extensive testing and compliance with nationally accepted consensus standards; material flexibility and light weight, enabling greater design flexibility, ease of installation and lower installation time and cost; ease of color coding and marking to identify safe acceptable uses; and cost-effectiveness in terms of manufacturing, transportation and ease of installation.

　　Applications covered include: gray water reuse, rainwater harvesting, geothermal ground loops, higher efficiency hot water distribution, radiant heating, solar hot water, water-efficient irrigation, radon venting, decentralized wastewater treatment, central vacuum systems and residential fire sprinklers.