ANN ARBOR, MICH. – NSF International recently certified Zurn Pex’s fire sprinkler piping system for meeting applicable fire protection requirements. Zurn Pex, Inc.’s piping and fittings met NSF’s fire protection testing and certification requirements for multi-purpose piping as identified in the International Residential Code (IRC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard.
Recent changes to the IRC require the installation of fire sprinklers in newly constructed homes. The IRC defines building, plumbing, mechanical, energy and electrical regulations for one- and two-family residences, and is adhered to in 41 U.S. States. The IRC code also specifies that fire sprinkler pipes and fittings must be certified and tested by an accredited third-party organization such as NSF International. In achieving NSF certification, Zurn Pex Inc., a manufacturer of plumbing products and accessories, met the requirements of UL 1821: Standard for Safety Thermoplastic Sprinkler Pipe and Fittings for Fire Protection Service as well as NSF’s stringent fire protection testing and certification requirements.
Zurn Pex’s pipe and fittings comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components-Health Effects and NSF/ANSI Standard 14: Plastic Piping System Components and other standards for residential use. The NSF Certification process includes:
- a review of the manufacturer’s formulation information on pipe and fittings,
- testing pipe and fittings against applicable standards, and
- conducting factory inspections to verify the manufacturer is following the registered formulation and continues to produce products that meet all certification requirements.
After initial certification, NSF International conducts ongoing testing and unannounced inspections to verify that the pipes continue to comply with all requirements. Any changes to the registered formulation must be approved by NSF via testing or engineer review.
For successfully meeting all certification requirements, Zurn Pex’s fire sprinkler pipe and fittings will bear the NSFpw (potable water) Mark and UL 1821 standard designation and appear on NSF International’s online listings.
“We know our customers will feel confident knowing that our products are tested to the highest standards for water distribution, potable water, heating and residential fire protection by NSF International,” said Brian Fiorisi, Zurn Pex, Inc. Product Manager.
NSF International is designated as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is accredited by the International Accreditation Service to test fire sprinkler piping and fittings to UL 1821: Standard for Safety Thermoplastic Sprinkler Pipe and Fittings for Fire Protection Service. NSF also tests fire sprinkler pipe and fittings against UL 1821 in NSF’s engineering laboratories.
“Fire sprinklers can be the difference between life and death in a fire. NSF’s third-party certification provides regulators and consumers peace of mind that these components meet national standards for safety and quality purposes,” said Nasrin Kashefi, General Manager of NSF International’s Plumbing Program.