Plumbing Africa October 2017 | Page 53

FEATURES 51 A matter of PHACT By Ken Patrick, PHACT chairman On 8 June 2006, representatives from a number of competing piping companies agreed to form an association that would promote the use of polymer piping systems for hot and cold water. And so began the Polymer Hot and Cold Technology (PHACT) Association, a non-profit organisation, whose aim is to develop the polymer pipe system market in South Africa through responsible, ethical, and factual marketing. PHACT and the SABS worked quickly towards adopting the relevant international standards and this was first achieved for what were called the monolayer pipes (that is, a single material) and subsequently, the multilayer piping systems. Before PHACT’s formation, misinformation, misunderstandings, and unsubstantiated claims from manufacturers and distributors alike, plagued the polymer piping industry in South Africa. Since all PHACT members are competitors (sometimes quite fiercely so), some lively discussions have taken place over the years. Arguments, accusations, break-ups, and reunions have ensued, but mostly, common purpose has been shown. We now have SANS for: • PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) • PE-RT (polyethylene with raised temperature resistance) • PE (normal high-density or medium-density polyethylene, often used in multilayer piping systems) • PB (polybutylene) • PPR (polypropylene random copolymer) • C-PVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride). The industry now boasts over 20 different piping systems available on the market, offering the South African plumber a myriad of choice. Naturally, it can be quite confusing to know which system to use, but South African National Standards (SANS) do exist for all the different pipe materials and combination pipe systems. After initial and overwhelming success since 2006, certification has been a headache for the past three or four years. The reason is simply that most piping systems are sold globally and certified to ISO standards. SANS are exactly the same as the ISO standards (except for a requirement that DZR brass be used for brass fittings). STANDARDISATION Eleven years ago, in the absence of South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) standards, PHACT was still trying to update some JASWIC (Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Installation Components) ‘R’ specifications that had been abused over the preceding years. Accordingly, systems that had provable ISO certification were only required to provide the necessary DZR testing certification and have their locally distributed products tested over a shorter cycle (1 000 hours), to ensure that the international results were in line with what was being locally distributed. The industry now boasts over 20 different piping systems available on the market, offering the South African plumber a myriad of choice. O-Ring Pipe stop Stainless Steel Bite Ring Collet An example of a crimp fitting. www.plumbingafrica.co.za A typical crimping tool. An example of a push-fit fitting. October 2017 Volume 23 I Number 8