PPFA - NAHB Greenbuilders Page

PPFA homepage PPFA Greenbuilding Resources PPFA Plastic Piping Manufacturing Life Cycle Inventory PPFA Policy on Sustainable Building Download: PPFA NAHB Vital Circulation Systems Presentation Images of some typical green and sustainable piping systems

PLASTIC PIPE AND FITTINGS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES GREEN BUILDERS!

The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association shares your concerns for the conservation and protection of natural resources in the built environment. PPFA's Sustainable Piping Systems Committee was established to coordinate activities among PPFA Product Line Committees to achieve sustainability goals and promote sustainable building systems that depend on pipe and tubing to function.

This page is designed for those looking for resources regarding these green and sustainable building systems.

Consider the advantages of plastic piping. If you are looking for reliable, safe, cost-effective, energy conscious building materials, plastic piping should be part of your next set of job specifications. There are currently a large number of sustainable piping systems to consider in your next project. These easy access links include Toolbase.org, PATH, NAHB RC and governmental web sites.

Green & Sustainable Piping Systems
High Effiency Hot Water Distribution - By carefully designing the hot water distribution of a building, energy waste, water waste and waiting times can all be reduced.
Residential Hot Water Distribution System Research - ORNL	Evaluation of Residential Hot Water Distribution Systems by Numeric Simulation, 2004, Oak Ridge National Labs. This report examined multiple distribution systems. (note that CPVC was incorrectly modeled as Sch 40 in the study, not CTS tubing, therefore it is actually underrated for performance).
Domestic Hot Water System Modeling for the Design of Energy Efficient Systems	NAHB Research Center, Inc. report on improving hot water distribution systems.
Liberty Village Lincoln, Nebraska Field Evaluation	This September 2006 field report examined Time, Cost & Performance Comparison of PEX & Copper.
Gray water System - A parallel DWV system can reuse a significant amount (50%+) of a buildings waste water on site, typically for irrigation, conserving potable water.
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes gray water use.
NAHB Field Trial	2004 PATH-NAHB RC field trial report of a home equipped with a gray water and rainwater system in New Mexico
California Revised Gray water Standards	Revised California Gray water Standards - In March 1997, the Building Standards Commission approved these revised Standards.
California Gray water Guide	California's 1995 guidebook to gray water systems
Arizona's DEQ Using Gray Water at Home	Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's Guide to Complying with the Type 1 General Permit for Gray water
Colorado Gray and Storm water Policies	Two page 2003 document on both gray and rainwater harvesting issues in the state of Colorado. Rainwater harvesting requires special permitting due to the states water rights law.
Graywater.net	Extensive commercial gray water web site.
Rainwater Harvesting - Collection and storage of storm water is a natural way to converve potable water for several applications.
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes rainwater harvesting.
NAHB Field Trial	2004 PATH-NAHB RC field trial report of a home equipped with a gray water and rainwater system in New Mexico
Texas Water Development Web site - Manual on Rainwater Harvesting	Web site includes information on rainwater harvesting including the Texas Water Development Board Rainwater Harvesting Manual, 3rd edition, 2005.
Colorado Gray and Storm water Policies	Two page 2003 document on both gray and rainwater harvesting issues in the state of Colorado. Rainwater harvesting requires special permitting due to the states water rights law.
Geothermal Systems - Ground loop systems can save a significant (50%+) amount of energy used in heating or cooling a building.
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes geothermal systems.
Geoexchange Web site	Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium's web site.
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association	The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is a non-profit, member driven organization established in 1987 to advance geothermal heat pump (GHP) technology on local,state, national and international levels.
Radiant (Hydronic) Heat - Using well regulated water based radiant floor heating can improve occupant comfort, conserve energy,reducce infiltration, does not contribute to indoor air quality (IAQ) issues and is a good option in large homes and commercial spaces.
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes "dry" - or no pour - radiant hydronic heating
US DOE EERE Web site	U.S. Department of Energy Web site - Radiant Heating
Radon Venting - A critical component of indoor air quality is the safe removal of radon gas.
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes radon venting in residential homes.
US EPA Radon Web site	U.S. EPA Radon web site, contains information on radon, testing and venting.
US EPA Radon Publications	U.S. EPA Radon publications
Drain Heat Recovery - Heat energy can be recovered from waste water ordinarialy purged down the drain and returned to the water heater.
US DOE EERE Web site	U.S. Department of Energy Web site - Drain-Water Heat Recovery
Toolbase.org Web site	ToolBase Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. This link describes waste heat recovery systems.
Foundation Drainage - These systems drain water away from the buildings foundation , improving durability and potentially improving IAQ.
PATH Foundation Drainage	The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is dedicated to accelerating the development and use of technologies that radically improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America's housing.
Residential Fire Sprinklers - Active fire prevention is critical for several environmental and safety reasons. Water can be saved, environmental emissions and landfill waste reduced with these systems.
PPFA_fire_sprinkler_brochure_final.pdf	PPFA Residential Sprinkler Document.
Central Vacuum Systems - These systems, when properly vented outdoors, can improve indoor air quality for occupants.
coming soon!	.

PPFA Green Publications
ABS Green Brochure pdf file (2.38 MB)	This 2 page brochure describes the advantages of ABS piping systems in green and sustainable building.
CPVC Pipe Is Recyclable Presentation pps file (1 MB)	This Power point slide presentation shows how CPVC pipe scrap is currently recycled to make new pipe. CPVC, like most plastics used in pipe, is a thermoplastic and reprocessing is relatively easy.
PE Polyethylene � An Environmentally Sound Piping Material pdf file (5.4 MB)	This 2 page brochure reviews what makes Polyethylene pipe and fittings a product of choice, especially for those involved in green and sustainable building.
PE Pipe is Recyclable Presentation pps file (1 MB)	This Power Point slide presentation shows how polyethylene pipe scrap is currently recycled to make new pipe. Polyethylene, like most plastics used in pipe, is a thermoplastic and reprocessing is relatively easy.
PEX Offers Environmentally Sound Solutions pdf file (5.2 MB)	This 2 page brochure reviews what makes PEX pipe and fittings a product of choice, especially for those involved in green and sustainable building plumbing and heating systems.
PEX Design Guide: Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems pdf file (754 KB)	This 128 page Design Guide provides current information and resources necessary to design and install cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) water supply systems in residential buildings. It includes comprehensive design concepts and installation guidelines to increase the acceptance and proper use of PEX. PPFA's PEX installation guide is incorporated in this document.
PVC & CPVC: Delivering Clean Water for a Healthy Planet pdf file (98 KB)	This 2 page brochure reviews what makes PVC and CPVC pipe and fittings a product of choice, especially for those involved in green and sustainable building.
PVC - 5 Questions and Answers about the Advantages of PVC Piping pdf file (6.8 MB)	This 2 page brochure answers the five most common questions on PVC piping.
Why Thermoplastic Piping Systems? pdf file (250 KB)	This 2 page brochure describes 18 reasons why you next plumbing system should be engineered with thermoplastic piping.
Cost comparison report - plastic vs. metallic piping systems pdf file (754 KB)	This 2006 report compares the material cost and labor hours of installing various piping systems in a 12-story residential high rise structure and shows the significant savings of plastic piping systems.

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