NSF International announced it has certified the first geothermal pipes to Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA) standard C448: Design and Installation of Earth Energy Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings. NSF is the only organization that certifies polyethylene (PE) piping for geothermal end use.
CSA C448 is North America’s only government-recognized design and installation standard for geothermal systems, systems that use the earth as a heat source and heat sink. They provide heating or cooling by moving heat, rather than by creating heat like a furnace. While conventional heating systems rely on outdoor temperatures that often vary, underground temperatures remain relatively constant all year round, producing the desired heating and cooling temperature year round.
NSF’s certification program was developed to incorporate all of the critical aspects of geothermal piping, including performance, physical, health effects and quality control requirements. In order to achieve NSF Certification, piping materials had to fulfill the requirements of NSF/ANSI Standard 14: Plastic Piping System Components and Related Materials and CSA B137.1: Polyethylene (PE) Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings for Cold Water Pressure Services in addition to the requirements of CSA C448. Companies also undergo a rigorous facility audit that verifies the following:
- Formulation and manufacturing processes
- Use of authorized raw materials
- Quality control requirements
- Sampling of product for monitoring testing
- Product marking
- Product complies with standards and NSF policies
