CAST IRON

SOIL PIPE
AND FITTINGS

BR-CI (421)
 WH Y C AST IRON
S O IL PIPE AN D F IT T IN GS ?
For centuries, cast iron pipe and fittings have been the backbone of drain, waste and vent (DWV) plumbing systems
throughout the world. Cast iron is as reliable as it is enduring. As building codes have gradually given way to
increasing use of PVC in both residential and commercial applications, plumbing engineers and contractors should
remember that what is allowed by code may not necessarily provide the best solution. In fact, from a liability
standpoint, maintaining the original specification and avoiding substitutions can be critical.

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C O ST-SAV ING MYTHS
Due to the perceived cost advantages, PVC has become widely used in many applications where sound
attenuation, structural stability, or fire-resistance are not critical. But decision-makers need to consider that
savings may not be as promising as they initially appear from a simple per-foot cost comparison. The labor
required to properly install plastic DWV systems can, in many cases, outweigh the initial up-front advantage
plastic has in material costs. Buried applications are a good example. Faulty trench design or use of improper
embedment materials – the wrong type of soil or crushed rock – and even poor soil-compacting techniques are
common defects in workmanship that can cause the pipe to ovalize or collapse. Due to the extra materials and
care that must be exercised in buried applications, PVC’s cost of installation per-foot can actually exceed the
cost of a cast iron installation.

FI RE - RE S TRI CTI V E CONS TRUCTI ON

Fire resistance is another important area where the
comparative benefits and drawbacks of cast iron and plastic
piping must be weighed against what would appear to be
PVC’s cost advantage. When fire-rated assemblies are
penetrated with PVC piping systems, they must be treated in
accordance with ASTM E-814 (Test Method For Fire Tests of
Through-Penetration Fire Stops) ensuring that the integrity of
the fire-rated assembly is maintained. This process is often
significantly more expensive and labor intensive for plastics,
which are classified as combustible materials, than for non-
combustible cast iron.

SO U N D ATTENUA TION
With fire resistance, the difference between plastic and cast iron is tucked away
in the walls, hidden from view. But there’s no hiding the differences in sound
attenuation capabilities. Cast iron’s ability to suppress the gurgling and sloshing
sounds of water from an upstairs fixture makes it the hands-down choice for many
homes and condominiums, motels and hotels, and high-rise structures.
Watch the video of our
DWV plumbing system sound test:
charlottepipe.com/quiet_house.aspx
(Both cast iron and PVC were tested.)

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 WHY CHARLOTTE PIPE CAST IRON SOIL PIPE AND FITTINGS?

T HE Q UA LITY O F
OUR PR ODU C TS
For residential and commercial applications, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry produces the broadest line of cast iron pipe and
fittings in the industry, including a full line of Service, Extra-Heavy and No-Hub (hubless) pipe and fittings.

PR O DU CIN G PR ODUCTS Y OU CA N’T FIND A NY W H E RE E L S E

Not only are we committed to being a full-line supplier of cast
iron pipe and fittings, we understand that contractors need
products like Extra-Heavy pipe and fittings and Double-Hub pipe
to make installations easier and faster. Although all other cast iron
manufacturers have quit producing Double-Hub pipe, we still offer
a complete line of two-inch through six-inch Service and Extra-
Heavy Double-Hub cast iron pipe. And we intend to continue
maintaining a large stock of Extra-Heavy products.

There are several reasons Extra Heavy is specified versus Service

or No-Hub. At Charlotte Pipe, our suggested specification for
underground piping is for hub-and-spigot pipe. We believe the
rigid joint found in the hub-and-spigot pipe is preferable for
underground use. Furthermore, the greater wall thickness of Extra-
Heavy pipe and fittings gives greater crush strength and increased
corrosion resistance.

In terms of crush strength, Extra-Heavy pipe and fittings are roughly twice as strong in
many sizes as their Service or No-Hub counterparts. For example, the maximum crushing
load for four-inch Service pipe is 4,451 pounds per linear foot. Four-inch Extra Heavy has
a maximum crushing load of 8,324 pounds.

Crush strength is particularly important in urban situations. Live and earth loads must be
calculated when determining what type of pipe to use. Due to the heavy traffic and the
sometimes less-than-stable ground that can be found in some older metropolitan areas,
Extra-Heavy pipe offers an added degree of safety in design and application.

Q UIE T H O U SE ® S Y STEM
Charlotte Pipe is the exclusive manufactuer of the Quiet House® System for residential
DWV systems. The Quiet House System comprises cast iron waste piping and plastic
vent lines for an economical, high-performance system that is twice as quiet as an
all-plastic system. You’ll hear no sloshing, gurgling or gushing noise within the walls.
A quiet DWV system adds value to new homes and offers home builders a point of
differentiation and a competitive edge in the marketplace.

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ACH IE VI NG UNIFORM EXCELLENCE
When you buy our cast iron pipe, you know exactly what
you’re getting. Our pipe is clearly stamped with our name,
country of origin, the CISPI symbol of quality ( ) and even
the date the pipe was made. In fact, you can give us the
date from any piece of Charlotte® cast iron pipe and we
can provide the chemical properties of that batch.

To further achieve excellence, we tightly control the

chemical properties and temperature of our iron.
We measure weight, thickness and laying length for
dimensional accuracy.

E COA T
Charlotte Pipe’s ecoating is an extremely efficient process for the application
of coating onto a metal surface. Fittings and five-foot pipe lengths are sent
through a 15-stage process, including multiple cleaning stages, followed by
the application of a zinc phosphate base coat, and then two stages where
a top coat is applied. The coating is then cured for one hour at 400 degrees
F. An aesthetic improvement, ecoat offers customers a consistent, thin,
even coating. It is an environmentally friendly process which has almost
no VOCs and no toxic chemicals—the same process used on 95% of all
vehicles produced in the world.

E DGE H P ™
Edge HP Iron from Charlotte Pipe is a system of specially coated cast
iron pipe and fittings designed for aggressive DWV applications. While
our standard cast iron easily meets the needs of the vast majority of
DWV installations, in certain aggressive environments, the piping system
may need enhanced protection. Edge HP Iron is specifically designed
for aggressive applications and installations that experience exposure to
undiluted cleaning chemicals with a pH range of 2 to 12, which are often
found in hospitals, commercial kitchens, soda fountains and parking
garages. The coating consists of several layers, including zinc phosphate,
cathodic epoxy ecoat and anodic epoxy ecoat (pipe) or acrylic epoxy
powder (fittings) top coats. Edge HP Iron meets or exceeds all of the
coating performance requirements found within EN 877 and conforms
to ASTM A 74 (Service and Extra Heavy), ASTM A 888 and CISPI 301
(Hubless) standards. It is certified by NSF International as conforming with all
performance and quality control requirements of the standards listed above.

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 T HE Q UA LITY O F
OUR PR OC ES S
We’ve invested millions in improving manufacturing efficiency, productivity and capacity, making our foundry
one of the most modern in the world. All products manufactured by Charlotte Pipe® are proudly made in the
U.S.A. and meet or exceed all applicable ASTM and CISPI standards.

I SO 9 001:2015 CERTIFIED
We conduct a total spectrographic analysis of 17 different elements each hour to monitor our chemical composition and
make continuous adjustments to maintain the quality of the iron. We keep a daily melt log with records on every batch,
so if there’s ever a quality problem, we can determine when and why.

Our rigorous quality testing and ongoing process improvements have helped us achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification –
an internationally recognized standard in quality assurance. ISO 9001:2015 certification verifies that Charlotte Pipe and
Foundry is a manufacturer of the highest caliber. When you order from us, you know you’ll receive excellent products.

EN VIR O N ME N T AL STEWA RDSHIP

We produce these superior products without sacrificing
environmental stewardship. Our cast iron pipe and fittings are
made from a minimum of 95 percent post-consumer recycled
material and are 100 percent recyclable. The U.S. Government,
and many state and local agencies, now require government
projects to use green building practices. The Green Building Council
administers a certification program called the Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design green building rating system (LEED).
By using materials with recycled content like Charlotte Pipe cast
iron products, specifying engineers and contractors can earn points
toward a LEED Certification. Each year we prevent more than
350 million pounds of scrap iron and steel from entering
overcrowded landfills.

We also operate our own water treatment facility, where we recycle

and re-use 100 percent of our process water. We operate well within
the limits established by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency.
Our environmental operating budget exceeds $1 million per year and
over the last decade we’ve voluntarily spent millions of dollars to stay
well ahead of the environmental compliance curve.

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 TH E Q U A L ITY O F
OUR PEO P L E
It takes the best people to produce the best product.
By treating our people right, we have very low turnover,
which means consistent products and consistent service,
and the ability to respond well to change.

T H E MOST IMP ORTA NT ELEMENT I N OUR CA S T

IR O N IS OUR P EOP LE
Despite the infusion of technology, casting iron is still as
much a craft as it is an industry. Skilled iron pourers can
tell if the iron is too hot or too cool just by looking at it. A
cupola controller can tell if there is too much coke in the
charge just by the color of the slag. And an experienced
machine operator can produce thousands of castings a
GOT A QUE S TI ON? CA L L US
day. The hallmark of Charlotte Pipe’s foundry has been
adapting to changing business and new technologies At Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, our commitment to
to remain competitive. We couldn’t do that without our service doesn’t end with delivery. We also offer a variety
exceptional people. of technical resources to support our products. Our
Technical Services department has the experience to
answer customer questions regarding codes, standards,
IT ’ S N OT A GREA T P RODUCT IF TH E RE ’S A technical issues and product usage. And, every
PR O BLEM GETTING IT important document customers require – from technical
Our wealth of experience extends into our Shipping information to pricing – is available on our website
Department, where we have more than 440 years of (www.charlottepipe.com). For additional information,
combined service. And because we manufacture for consult the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute’s (CISPI)
inventory – not for orders – we maintain stock on hand website (www.cispi.org). Engineers looking to update
so you don’t have to order extra and store it yourself. their specifications can download industry and product
All of this allows us to ship with a 99.4% fill rate. Tell us specifications from the CISPI website.
when you need our product, and we’ll ship your order
complete and on time.

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 PO BOX 35430
CHARLOTTE
NORTH CAROLINA 28235

PHONE (704) 348 6450

(800) 438 6091

FAX (800) 553 1605

INTERNATIONAL FAX
001 704 348 9884

WWW.CHARLOT TEPIPE.COM

For more than a century, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has enhanced its product lines to meet customer demand
and focused on continuous process improvement to provide better service. In short, we’ll do whatever it takes
to meet all your cast iron soil pipe needs. Ask your sales representative or wholesaler for our cast iron products today.
Or call us directly at 1-800-438-6091.

© 2005-2021 Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, Charlotte Pipe, Charlotte, and Quiet House are
registered trademarks of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company.