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Steel pipe has long been the most common choice for installing fire protection systems. But contractors and engineers need to recognize the elephant in the room — steel is not the only option. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) has grown in popularity over the last four decades and is today well-established as a safe, cost-effective and dependable alternative to steel for retrofits and new installations in residential and commercial Light Hazard applications.

But even backed by decades of proven performance, many misconceptions about CPVC persist in the marketplace. To set the record straight, here are the facts that debunk five of the most common myths.

Myth: CPVC will melt in a fire.
Fact: CPVC has proven its flame resistance under rigorous testing.

This myth may be rooted in the idea that CPVC is “plastic,” but CPVC is engineered to protect people and property when fire strikes. It is a thermoplastic made from a base PVC polymer that has been fortified with additional chlorine molecules. The extra chlorine, along with specialized additives, enables the material to reliably stand up to intense heat and pressure.

When CPVC is exposed to fire a charring layer is formed on the outside of the pipe and fittings, which then functions as a thermal barrier that reduces the conduction of heat. Water flowing through the piping system will also cool the inside to further resist heat. During a UL test, BlazeMaster fire sprinkler systems continued to perform when exposed to a fire plume between 698o F and 901o F (370o C and 483o C).

Myth: CPVC pipe can only be used in residential applications.
Fact: CPVC can be used in a wide range of commercial projects as well.

BlazeMaster fire sprinkler systems are UL-Listed for use in light hazard occupancies as defined by NFPA 13, such as offices, health care and educational facilities, religious institutions, high rises and others. For instance, a contractor saved $21,000 by switching to CPVC on a retrofit of a commercial office complex.

Myth: CPVC can’t perform as well as steel.
Fact: CPVC offers superior long-term dependability because it will not corrode.

Corrosion in steel pipe can lead to leaks and costly, disruptive repairs and compromise the flow of water during a fire. This is not an issue with CPVC, which is not prone to corrosion or scaling (mineral build-ups). CPVC is also not impacted by microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), which can accelerate corrosion in steel pipe.

CPVC starts with better hydraulic performance, and the advantage increases with time as corrosion impacts steel pipe. Reliable hydraulic performance ensures enough water reaches a fire, effectively controlling, suppressing or extinguishing it. A pipe’s surface has a direct impact on this — the rougher the surface, the more energy is needed to pump the water through the system. The Hazen Williams C-Factor formula was developed to help calculate this by measuring the friction and roughness along a pipe material’s surface. BlazeMaster CPVC has a Hazen-Williams C-Factor of 150 and retains this rating throughout its life. Conversely, new steel pipe starts with a C-Factor of 120, which drops by as much as 50% as corrosion impacts hydraulics.

Myth: CPVC pipe is more expensive.
Fact: CPVC reduces installation costs and delivers lower total cost of ownership.

CPVC pipe and fitting systems can save up to 30% on labor and material costs. CPVC offers lower upfront costs based on:

• Superior hydraulics saves on material costs. Because of CPVC’s advantage on C factor, system designers can specify smaller diameter pipe that is less expensive while ensuring the same level of water flow.
• Streamlined installation method reduces labor costs. Lightweight CPVC pipe and fittings are easy to move around a job site, and the one-step solvent cement welding process means fabrication and installation can typically be a one-person job, reducing labor costs compared to steel, which often requires multiple installers.
• No expensive tools required. CPVC installation is completed using basic hand tools. By comparison, steel can require torches, threading machines, pipe wrenches and more. Lost or stolen tools add considerably to the cost of installing steel pipe, as well as the heavy equipment often needed to transport steel around a job site. CPVC reduces mobilization time and expense because fitters spend more time installing pipe and less time carrying power machines around a job site.
  • Onsite fabrication streamlines design and installation. With steel pipe, parts of the fabrication are often performed offsite in advance by a fabricator, which adds another step — and therefore cost and time — in the process. By contrast, CPVC fire sprinkler systems are often fabricated onsite.
  • Simple design alterations reduce costs for rework. It’s easy to make onsite modifications to CPVC systems when plans change. There’s no need to wait for new pieces from the offsite fabricator.

Equally important, CPVC’s lower maintenance costs are a key factor to consider when evaluating long-term costs. That’s a key consideration in evaluating the total cost of ownership of a CPVC fire sprinkler system relative to steel.

Myth: Steel is better for the environment.
Fact: CPVC outperforms steel in many environmental categories.

Because it is made with plastic, many assume CPVC must have a larger environmental footprint than steel. However, an ISO-compliant, peer-reviewed life-cycle assessment that compared one CPVC brand to steel found that CPVC systems outperform steel in 12 out of 13 environmental categories. These categories include climate change impact, metal depletion and energy consumption.

Know the facts before you choose

These facts underscore how CPVC is a viable option for designing fire sprinkler systems for a wide range of commercial buildings. While myths still persist, more contractors and engineers are becoming aware of the advantages of specifying CPVC fire sprinkler systems for light-hazard facilities. Acknowledging the elephant in the room — that CPVC is a viable alternative to steel — results in cost-effective, dependable systems that protect people and property.