GreenPipe FAQs

The Aquatherm products that GPI is proud to bring to the US have been used internationally for over 25 years. Although our products are now fully-certified for use in North America, some building professionals may be unfamiliar with various properties and installation procedures. To see the complete list of questions and answers, pleasescroll down the page.

1. Does the pipe meet flame-spread and smoke development tests?
   Can I use it in a plenum?
2. Can I use it for drainage and/or acid waste?
3. What happens if a fitting leaks?
4. What about the bead on the inside?
5. Do installers have to be trained and/or certified?
   If so, who provides that training?
6. How do I transition to PEX, copper, valves, etc?
7. What approvals does the pipe have?
8. What sizes of tool match what sizes of pipe?
9. What are the pressure and temperature ratings?
10. Where is it currently in use?
11. Does the faser-composite affect the fusion process?
12. What about the oxygen barrier?
13. What happens to the pipe if it is impacted under pressure?
14. What if I freeze the pipe?
15. How does it compare price-wise to other systems?
16. What about LEED’s points?
17. I’m confused about the ID/OD, Imperial/Metric conversion.
18. Are the threaded connections North American threads?
    Are the flanges North American bolt patterns?

1. Does the pipe meet flame-spread and smoke development tests?
Can I use it in a plenum?
The pipe itself meets the 25 flame-spread requirement, but the listed smoke development rating is well over 100. The smoke from burning polypropylene is non-toxic, producing only carbon dioxide and water vapor in a fully developed fire. However, the smoke development test only measures visible smoke rather than the toxicity of that smoke, so Aquatherm has developed a number of options that allow the pipe to meet the 25/50 rating.

The widest ranging solution is the application of a “No-Fire” coating. No-Fire is fire-resistant paint that Aquatherm factory-applies to lengths of Aquatherm-Greenpipe and Climatherm pipe. The coated lengths of pipe were tested and passed with the fittings uncoated, so no extra consideration for valves and fittings is needed. The No-Fire coating can be field applied in case the factory coating is damaged during installation or shipping. The No-Fire coating can be applied to all sizes of pipe, although while the increase in cost is marginal to larger sizes of pipe, it is less cost-effective per foot for sizes below 63mm (2”).

For smaller sizes of pipe, Aquatherm has tested and passed an insulated version of our piping systems. This insulation is also applied at the factory, and is often more cost effective than purchasing the pipe and insulation separately and installing it yourself. This insulated pipe can be use to meet smoke ratings for pipe up to 50mm (1 ½”) in the USA and 90mm (3”) in Canada.

Aquatherm has been producing coated pipes for years and has a full range of tools that make them easy to work with (See parts #50506-50524 and 50910-50914). These tools help you quickly and cleanly remove the coating.

2. Can I use it for drainage and/or acid waste?
Polypropylene is chemically resistant, and often inert, to most corrosive mediums, which is why polypropylene has seen extensive use for acid waste applications as well as for de-ionized water. For a specific application, Aquatherm’s dedicated research staff can verify suitability quickly and efficiently. Simply fill out the form found on page 1.12 of the Aquatherm catalog and submit it to one of our technical specialists.

At this time, Aquatherm does not produce the gravity-fittings needed for drain systems nor are there any plans to begin manufacturing such fittings. Both the Aquatherm-Greenpipe and Climatherm lines are engineered to work in pressurized applications.

3. What happens if a fitting leaks?
Aquatherm fittings and tool are designed to consistently produce proper connections. It is difficult to make an incomplete joint that cannot simply be pulled apart by hand and refused properly. Generally speaking, if the joint bonds at all, it will bond completely, never leaking or failing over time.

However, if a joint does leak, it is possible to drill into the leak and use the Aquatherm repair pin to fix the joint. On the larger butt fusion joints, it is possible to drill into the leak and install a saddle, and then cap off the saddle.

In a worst-case scenario, the fitting will have to be cut out and replaced with a new one.

4. What about the bead on the inside?
Polypropylene is a very low friction material, and so the bead left by proper saddle and butt fusion connection does not cause a detectable amount of friction or turbulence. This bead will not cause pin holing as it would in a copper system, and will generally not affect the performance or longevity of the pipe in any way.

Sometimes, poorly executed socket fusions can leave an unintended bead inside the pipe. As long as these beads are small and infrequent, they will not affect the performance of the system either. However, if the socket fusion process leaves a large obstruction in the pipe, it is usually best to replace that connection, as well as review the technique used in making those connections.

5. Do installers have to be trained and/or certified? If so, who provides that training?
In order for your project to qualify for Aquatherm’s ten-year warranty, your pipe must be installed by an Aquatherm-certified plumber. Our training is usually only 4-8 hours long and focuses on the heat-fusion process. (Note: The Aquatherm certification is merely a supplement to normal plumbing training and does not replace the need to have your system installed by a registered journeyman plumber).

This training is currently only available through Aquatherm’s staff, but we are working with local trade schools to have them provide this training as well. Please contact our certification specialists to find out which options are best for you.

6. How do I transition to PEX, copper, valves, etc?
Aquatherm offers a full line of threaded brass transition pieces for smaller sizes of pipe and flange connections for large pipe sizes and mechanical equipment. We are currently working on grooved transition pieces and PEX transition pieces as well.

7. What approvals does the pipe have?
Aquatherm piping systems are certified by NSF 14, 51, and 61 for a wide variety of applications, and are listed in the I-Codes (2003 to the present) for most of the United States and in CSA standards for Canada. We are currently working on an IAPMO listing to cover the remaining states in the USA. If there is any question regarding local approvals, please contact your account manager.

The Aquatherm-Greenpipe system is listed for use in potable and food grade applications, while the Climatherm is generally listed for application in mechanical system. For compressed air and industrial applications, it is usually best to contact our staff directly, as most such applications have case-by-case approvals.

8. What sizes of tool match what sizes of pipe?
Our 500-watt heating iron is compatible with our 16-32mm pipe (3/8”-1” ID). The 800-watt heating iron is compatible with our 16-63mm pipe (3/8”-2” ID). The 1400-watt heating iron is compatible with out 16-125mm pipe (3/8”-4” ID). For our 160mm, 200mm, and 250mm pipe (5”, 7”, and 9” ID), a suitable butt-welding machine must be used.

9. What are the pressure and temperature ratings?
Aquatherm’s faser-composite Aquatherm-Greenpipe and Climatherm lines are rated at 100 psi at 180º F, based on a 50-year life cycle. See page 1.6 of the Aquatherm catalogue for a table of pressure and temperature ratings.

10. Where is it currently in use?
Aquatherm products have been, and are being, installed in buildings in and across Canada, in many states in the US and around the world. Our sales force and code approvals team continue to work hard at expanding the acceptance and use of Aquatherm products in North America.

11. Does the faser-composite affect the fusion process?
The faser-composite layer is still mostly polypropylene, containing only enough fiberglass to reduce the linear expansion. Faser-composite pipe using the same tools and the same heat times as the non-faser pipe, without any extra considerations.

In fact, because the faser-pipe tends to hold its shape better than the non-faser pipe if they are inadvertently overheated, it is recommend to use only the faser-pipe on ¾” pipe and smaller.

12. What about the oxygen barrier?
The oxygen interaction through the walls of Aquatherm pipe is minimal, comparable to the total interaction of a metal piping system. While the need for treatment is not eliminated, it is greatly reduced from what other plastics would need and so an oxygen barrier is not cost effective. Aquatherm pipes are compatible with most standard oxygen treatment systems.

13. What happens to the pipe if it is impacted under pressure?
Unlike other rigid plastics, polypropylene does not break apart or explode if damaged under pressure. This makes it considerably safer than other plastics for compressed air and other high-pressure applications. If pressurized to failure, Aquatherm’s pipes will simply bubble and split, relieving the pressure without endangering people or property.

14. What if I freeze the pipe?
While we cannot predict all the circumstances, it is safe to say that Aquatherm piping systems will survive most accidental freezing without any damage to the integrity of the pipe. Polypropylene is both strong and flexible, allowing it to absorb undue stress that would damage other systems.

15. How does it compare price-wise to other systems?
Against a soldered copper system, contractors have reported an estimated 30-45% savings on materials alone, with an additional 30-50% savings in labor while using the Aquatherm-Greenpipe product. If a laborsaving technique (such as press fitting) is used to install the copper, then the material savings is increased and the labor costs become comparable.

Against welded steel, the Climatherm materials will cost slightly more, but a substantial labor savings balances out the cost. Against grooved steel, material and labor costs are generally equal.

Aquatherm pipes are also competitive with potable rated CPVC on materials and labor.

16. What about LEED’s points?
LEED’s points are awarded on a per project basis, so it is impossible to give a definitive number, however, Aquatherm does have a practical guide for applying Aquatherm piping systems to the LEED credits program. This document was produced by Aquatherm to illustrate the various ways in which upgrading to fusible polypropylene piping systems can earn and contribute to LEED credits.

There are many ways to help protect environmental and human health while promoting sustainable development. Switching to Aquatherm piping systems from the current industry standards offers a wide variety of health and safety benefits, not all of which are addressed by the LEED program at this time. This document is intended to address Aquatherm’s relevance to LEED credits based on Version 2.2 of the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Reference Guide.

The strategies outlined in the document act as a starting point for earning the appropriate LEED credits. Depending on the situation, upgrading to Aquatherm could offer an even larger contribution to the LEED credits than listed here.

Aquatherm is proud to be a member of the USGBC and a pioneering contributor to the development of sustainable, environmentally-friendly building materials.

The Aquatherm LEED reference guide can be found in the Technical. [send me LEED PDF?]

17. I’m confused about the ID/OD, Imperial/Metric conversion.
To consistently match the tools and the fittings, all Aquatherm pipe is manufactured by Outside Diameter in metric units. To avoid confusion as the pipe is introduced into the North American market, Aquatherm has established Nominal ID sizes for the pipe, based on flow rates and actual inner diameter. The following chart should help:

18. Are the threaded connections North American threads?
Are the flanges North American bolt patterns?
Yes.