Several questions were posed in the message regarding the use of CPVC pipe.   The message from Jim Robinson at The University of Maryland covered some of these issues and here is some more detail.
1.   As far as longevity goes CPVC piping has a 50 year life expectancy (with a safety factor of 2).  In general, CPVC piping lasts much longer and requires less maintenance compared to metallic piping systems.
2.  CPVC does not melt during a fire but instead forms an intumescent char on the surface that is exposed to the fire.  The temperature necessary to form this char is much higher than the activation temperature of the sprinkler heads used in the fire sprinkler system.
3.  There are many colleges and universities where CPVC fire spinkler systems have been successfully installed for many years.  A partial list includes Boston College, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Cornell University, Mississipi State,  University of Texas at Austin, University of Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Penn State University, University of Missouri,  Brown University, Georgetown University, University of Virginia, University of West Virginia, and University of Arkansas.

> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:15:57 -0400
> From:    Jim Robinson <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: FW: CPVC piping
>
>     The University of Maryland - College Park has about 15 residential
> buildings that have CPVC sprinkler piping in resident rooms - one hotel, 4
> or 5 resident halls, and about 10 fraternity/sorority houses. There are no
> limitations (other than 'light hazard' occupancies) since these
> installations meet the requirements of NFPA 13.
>     When first introduced in the early 1980's, the standard required that
> CPVC be protected by a non-combustible material such as sheetrock.
> Subsequent testing determined that this was not necessary so it was
> dropped from the standard. In these tests (I think they were conducted by
> NIST, UL & others), the water in the pipe acted as a heat sink, absorbing
> the heat (Boy Scouts know that you can boil water in a paper bag - same
> concept). Although most of our CPVC is behind sheetrock, it is for
> architectural reasons. Though pipe melting before sprinkler activation
> was thought to be a problem when first introduced, I believe testing
> proved it to be false. I don't recall any incidents where this actually
> occurred.
>     In one resident hall, all of the CPVC is mounted with a hanging system
> called Deco-Shield - the pipe is concealed behind a plastic cover
> specifically designed for CPVC sprinkler piping - throughout the
> corridors & bedrooms. This system was retrofitted into this existing
> building in 1988 and has not experienced any problems. The retrofit was
> easier to do this way.
>     We are experiencing problems with MIC sporadically in our black steel
> systems. Where discovered, CPVC is being used to replace the steel.
>     I have had no negative experiences with CPVC in our 13 years using it.
>
> Jim Robinson
> Facilities Management
> Life Safety Systems
> 301-405-3971

>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 1:42 PM
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: FW: CPVC piping
>
>
> These questions were posted to me by my immediate supervisor.  Does
> anyone know any of the answers to these questions.  Can you let me know
> if you do.  Thanks!
> -
>
>
>
> I would like to know if institutions are using CPVC sprinkler pipe in
> dormitory rooms.  Do you use them with any limitations? Does anyone know
> of
> incidents where the piping has melted before a sprinkler head activates
> (such as above a suspended ceiling with ceiling tile missing)?  The UL
> listing on the pipe limits it use to areas
> where the temperature is below 150 deg. F. and Factory Mutual requires
> that
> ceiling tile below CPVC pipe be clipped down. Has anyone compared the
> longevity of these sprinkler systems to the more common black pipe
> sprinkler system?  While
> CPVC wont corrode, some plastics become brittle with age.
>
>
> _____________________________________________
>
> Craig S. Moody, M.S., C.I.H.
> Acting Director
> Department of Environmental Health and Safety
> University of Minnesota
> 410 Church Street S.E.
> Minneapolis, MN  55455
>
> E-mail: [log in to unmask] 
>
> Phone:  (612)-626-4399
>
> Fax:    (612)-624-1949