PVC Flue Gas Venting Pipe

System 1738 – Engineered PVC Flue Gas Pipe

Years ago we started installing gas boilers that allowed venting through PVC piping. The use of PVC piping to vent the boilers made for easy routing of vent pipes and the ability to easily vent up through the roof much like plumbing vent stacks. Until recently the industry didn’t have standards that addressed the use of venting flue gasses with PVC piping. So for many years gas boilers were installed with traditional PVC piping like the picture shown below (boiler in my own home!).

Propane Boiler with PVC DWV Piping

Unfortunately, traditional PVC DWV piping was never designed or certified for transmitting gasses, rather it was only designed and certified to carry liquids. Obviously, the release of CO gasses into the home could be a very serious safety issue resulting in CO poisoning and possibly death. As a result, new standards have been developed to specifically address the use of PVC pipes to vent gas appliances. That new standard is UL 1738 – UL Standard for Safety Venting Systems for Gas-Burning Appliances.

Recent changes in both the NHPA 54-18 and IFGC-18 Fuel Gas Codes now recognize the UL 1738 venting standard. The UL 1738 venting standard ensures that the entire system including the piping, fittings, solvents are designed to carry flue gasses safely. UL 1738 also requires that products be labeled for easy identification.

There are several products available on the market which meet the UL 1738 standard. One of those products includes the System 1738 product line.

System 1738

System 1738 is an engineered PVC Flue Gas Venting System certified to UL 1738. System 1738 is a UL 1738 certified vent system for Category II and IV gas burning appliances. The system is rated for flue gas temperatures up to and including 149°F (65°C). Pipe sizing includes 2″, 3″ and 4″ along with corresponding fittings, cement, and venting accessories. Some of the benefits of using System 1738 include:

• Fully certified as a complete system of pipe, fittings, cement and venting accessories.
• Permanent solvent welding joining system.
• Material type, temperature rating and product certification is included in the pipe print line and fitting certification sticker.
• Carbon monoxide warning label.
• Solvent cement formulated for the application.

What Does This Mean for Homeowners?

So the real question is what does this mean for homeowners? If you’re having a new gas boiler installed in a new home or existing home be sure to ask your heating professional if the venting system meets the new UL 1738 standard. If you have an existing gas fired boiler that uses traditional PVC DWV piping it’s important to ask your heating professional to inspect your current vent piping and discuss options for addressing the UL 1738 standard to ensure your heating system doesn’t have any gas leaks.

 

The post PVC Flue Gas Venting Pipe appeared first on Home Construction Improvement.

by Todd Fratzel via Home And Garden