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IRVING, TX — The Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building & Construction Division has launched a series of eight videos which focus on proper techniques for joining CPVC, PEX, PE-RT, and PP pressure piping materials. The Training Shorts videos, along with many others, are available on the association’s website at no charge.
According to PPI, plumbing and heating contractors have been making the switch to plastic piping materials for years, thanks to benefits such as corrosion resistance, safety for potable water, and affordability. One of the most important aspects of piping installations, however, is making proper connections that are durable and long-lasting.
Member Collaboration
“PPI member firms collaborated on developing this series of training shorts videos to address the most common installation techniques used for joining popular piping materials CPVC, PEX, PE-RT, and polypropylene (PP),” stated Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., Director of Engineering for PPI's Building & Construction Division.
“These videos were actually produced by our members, who have the best expertise in creating secure connections with their pipes. They do not promote any particular brand of product, so they are generic and universal. For example, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry provided the video on solvent cement joining of CPVC, GF Uponor provided the video on cold-expansion fittings for use with PEX and PE-RT tubing, Viega LLC provided two videos on common connections for PEX and PE-RT, and Aquatherm provided four videos focused on heat fusion joining for polypropylene.”
Varied Materials and Joining Methods
The PEX/PE-RT videos address crimp ring connections using ASTM F1807 and ASTM F2159 fittings, cold-expansion fittings per ASTM F1960, and press fittings produced according to ASTM F3347 and F3348. The PP videos provide detailed instruction on preparing and making heat-fusion joints for polypropylene pipe and fittings using butt fusion, socket fusion, sidewall fusion, and electrofusion joining techniques, and follow the new ASTM Standard Practice F3722 that was published in late 2024.
According to PPI, the new training shorts videos are a reliable source of information because they are reviewed by PPI members and staff engineers as with all PPI publications. Additional training shorts videos will be produced throughout 2025 and beyond to address common installation and technical questions about pressure piping materials. These videos are also available on PPI’s YouTube channel.
To Learn More
Founded in 1950, PPI is the non-profit North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry, including pressure pipe materials CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, and PP. PPI members work together to develop industry publications, collaborate on standards, and create educational information about these systems.
The Building & Construction Division’s Training Shorts videos are available directly at: plasticpipe.org/BuildingConstruction/BuildingConstruction/Education/BuildingConstruction-Instructional-Videos.aspx.
Additional information about multiple types of plastic pressure piping systems is available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction.