Viking Plastics BlazeMaster® CPVC Pipe

Recommended Practices and Precautions for Installation

CAUTION: This information is general in nature and does not constitute a complete installation guide. Please read, understand and follow
Viking’s complete CPVC INSTALLATION AND DESIGN MANUAL prior to installing BlazeMaster® CPVC fire sprinkler pipe from Viking.
Plastic piping systems must be designed, engineered, and installed in accordance with accepted industry standards and applicable building
codes and requirements. Proper design, application, and installation are the responsibility of the end user.

Installation Best Practices Please avoid the following:

• Installation should be made only by a qualified installer or contractor • Do not use edible oils such as Crisco® as a gasket lubricant.
in accordance with all applicable codes and requirements. • Do not use any materials that are incompatible with CPVC, such as
• Carefully read and follow the installation instructions from Viking petroleum or solvent-based sealants, lubricants, firestop, etc.
Plastics’ CPVC Installation and Design Manual. • Do not use any propylene glycol-based solutions as an antifreeze.
• Follow all recommended safe work practices. • Do not use solvent cement that exceeds its shelf life or has become
• Make certain that all materials are compatible with BlazeMaster™ discolored or jellied.
CPVC including thread sealants, gasket lubricants, firestop materials, • Do not allow solvent cement to plug the sprinkler head orifice.
etc. • Do not allow puddling of solvent cement in fittings and pipe.
• Use only manufacturer premix antifreeze solutions. • Do not connect rigid metal couplings to CPVC grooved adapters.
• Keep pipe and fittings in original packaging until needed. • Do not thread or groove CPVC pipe.
• Cover pipe and fittings with an opaque tarp if stored outdoors. • Do not use solvent cement near sources of heat, open flame, or
• Follow proper care and handling procedures as outlined in Viking when smoking.
Plastics’ CPVC Installation and Design Manual. • Do not pressure test with air.
• Use tools specifically designed for use with CPVC pipe and fittings. • Do not hydrostatic pressure test until Viking’s recommended cure
• Make certain to follow all solvent cement joining procedures per times are met (at a minimum).
Viking Plastics’ CPVC Installation and Design Manual, including but • Do not use ratchet cutters below 50° F.
not limited to the following: • Do not use CPVC pipe that has been stored outdoors unprotected
- Make certain that no solvent cement is on sprinkler head and and is faded in color.
adapter threads. • Do not allow threaded rod to come in contact with the pipe (under
- Make certain that solvent cement does not run and plug the normal, non-flowing conditions).
sprinkler head orifice. • Do not install CPVC in cold weather without allowing for thermal
- Wipe off excess cement on the outside of the joint. expansion.
- Use a dauber that is properly sized for the pipe. For 3/4 inch • Do not use dull or broken cutting tool blades when cutting pipe.
and 1 inch pipe, use a dauber that is 1/2 inch in size. For 1-1/4 • Do not use CPVC with incompatible materials. Refer to Lubrizol’s
inch through 3 inch pipe, use a dauber that is 3/4 inch in size. FBC System Compatible Program for guidance regarding the
• Use a drop cloth to protect interior finishes. chemical compatibility of certain materials with BlazeMaster CPVC
• Cut the pipe ends square. pipe.
• Deburr and bevel the pipe end with a chamfering tool.
• Rotate the pipe ¼ turn when bottoming pipe in fitting socket.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cure times prior to hydro
static pressure testing (at a minimum).
• Fill lines slowly to minimize any trapped air.
• Bleed the air from the system prior to hydrostatic pressure testing.
• Support sprinkler head properly to prevent lift up of the head
through the ceiling when activated.
• Keep threaded rod within 1/16” of the pipe or use a surge arrestor.
• If necessary, use only insulation and/or glycerin and water solutions
for freeze protection.
• Listed heat tracing may also be used for freeze protection.
• For freeze protection, also consider designing system with horizontal
sidewall sprinklers installed in an interior heated wall space and/or
the use of Listed dry sprinklers.
• Allow for movement due to thermal expansion and contraction.
• Ensure installers have been properly trained per BlazeMaster®
CPVC Fire Sprinkler System Installation and Design Manual and
renew your training every two years at a minimum.

Trusted above all.™

 Viking Plastics BlazeMaster® CPVC Pipe

Cut-In Procedure for System Modification or Repairs

At times it may become necessary to make modifications to existing CPVC • Prior to applying the solvent cement, use a clean dry rag to wipe moisture
fire sprinkler systems. This can be done safely when the proper procedures and dirt from the fitting socket and the pipe end (the presence of moisture on
are followed. The following procedure has been developed to assure that the the joining surfaces will reduce joint integrity).
modifications are done successfully.
• Use a new can of solvent cement when making cut-in connections (verify the
Prior to making system cut-ins on existing systems, care should be used to re- expiration date stamped on can prior to use).
view proper joining procedures and to FOLLOW CUT-IN CURE SCHEDULES
(Table I) to ensure the highest system integrity. Several methods can be utilized • After all work is completed, the cut-in joints must be allowed to cure properly
to tie into an existing system using a socket style tee fitting in combination with prior to pressure testing as shown in Tables I, II and III.
the use of socket unions, grooved coupling adapters, and flanges. Regardless • After work is completed and cut-in cure times are met, inspect work for
of the method used, the following points must be followed to ensure the high- proper alignment and hanger placement prior to pressure testing.
est integrity:
• After cut-in cure times are met, the system must be slowly filled with water
• Using proper tools, the cut-in should be made on the smallest diameter pipe and the air bled from the furthest and highest sprinkler heads before test
section that is capable of adequately supplying the system changes, in close pressure is applied (refer to manufacturer’s installation instructions regarding
proximity to the modification being made. This approach will expedite cure Hydrostatic Testing).
times prior to pressure testing.
• After cut-in cure times are met and the air is bled from the system, it is
• The cut-in connection to the existing system should be made first, prior to recommended that portion of the sprinkler system containing the cut-in tee
proceeding with additional work. be pressure tested. Prior to pressure testing, the system must be sectioned off
• Existing lines must be drained adequately prior to solvent cementing. Con- to its smallest area using floor valves, etc., to isolate the cut-in area. It is further
sider using a Drain Vac unit to be sure all water is removed from the system recommended that the test pressure applied should not exceed 50 psi over
(moisture can slow the cure time and reduce joint strength). the system pressure. This approach will minimize the potential for water dam-
age should a leak occur.
• Carefully review and follow manufacturer’s solvent cementing procedures for
proper joining techniques prior to commencing with cut-in (pipe must be cut WARNING: AIR OR COMPRESSED GAS MUST NEVER BE USED FOR
square to proper length, deburred, beveled and dried to ensure proper inser- PRESSURE TESTING
tion depth and highest integrity).
• Carefully measure and cut pipe to proper length to ensure complete insertion CURE SCHEDULES: Table II
during assembly (check the dry fit of the components being joined). 200 psi (1379 kPa) Test Pressure (maximum)
Ambient Temperature During Cure Period
• Note: During assembly of the cut-in tee (and other components) it is impor-
tant to make a one-quarter turn when inserting the pipe into the fitting per
Pipe Size 60ºF to 120ºF 40ºF to 59ºF 0ºF to 39ºF
the manufacturer’s assembly instructions, particularly on 11 / 2” pipe sizes and
larger. This may require the use of several components assembled in combina- (16ºC to 49ºC) (4ºC to 15ºC) (-18ºC to 4ºC)
tion with the cut-in tee to create as short spool piece assembly. This can be 3/4” (20 mm) 45 mins. 1 1/2 hrs. 24 hrs.
accomplished by using socket unions, flanges, or grooved coupling adapters
1” (25 mm) 45 mins. 1 1/2 hrs. 24 hrs.
that will ensure that a one-quarter turn can be obtained on all pipe connec-
tions being joined. 1 1/4” & 1 1/2” (32 & 40 mm) 1 1/2 hrs. 16 hrs. 120 hrs.

2” (50 mm) 6 hrs. 36 hrs. Note 1

CURE SCHEDULES: Table 1 2 1/2” & 3” (65 & 80 mm) 8 hrs. 72 hrs. Note 1
225 psi (1552 kPa) Test Pressure (maximum)
Ambient Temperature During Cure Period Note 1: For these sizes, the solvent content can be applied at temperatures below 40ºF (4.5ºC), however,
(Use this table for all cut-ins) the sprinkler system temperature must be raised to a temperature of 40ºF (4.5ºC) or above to cure per
the above recommendations prior to pressure testing.
Pipe Size 60ºF to 120ºF 40ºF to 59ºF 0ºF to 39ºF
(16ºC to 49ºC) (4ºC to 15ºC) (-18ºC to 4ºC)
CURE SCHEDULES: Table III
3/4” (20 mm) 1 hr. 4 hrs. 48 hrs.
100 psi (690 kPa) Test Pressure (maximum)
1” (25 mm) 1 1/2 hrs. 4 hrs. 48 hrs. Ambient Temperature During Cure Period
1 1/4” & 1 1/2” (32 & 40 mm) 3 hrs. 32 hrs. 10 days
Pipe Size 60ºF to 120ºF 40ºF to 59ºF 0ºF to 39ºF
2” (50 mm) 8 hrs. 48 hrs. Note 1 (16ºC to 49ºC) (4ºC to 15ºC) (-18ºC to 4ºC)
2 1/2” & 3” (65 & 80 mm) 24 hrs. 96 hrs. Note 1 3/4” (20 mm) 15 mins. 15 mins. 30 mins.

Note 1: For these sizes, the solvent content can be applied at temperatures below 40ºF (4.5ºC), however, 1” (25 mm) 15 mins. 30 mins. 30 mins.
the sprinkler system temperature must be raised to a temperature of 40ºF (4.5ºC) or above to cure per
the above recommendations prior to pressure testing.

Trusted above all.™