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Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

(OP)
I am looking at using plastic pipe to distribute HVAC chilled water through a utility tunnel in a college campus application.  What are the drawbacks in using plastic verses steel in a tunnel?  What type of plastic pipe is commonly used in this application?  The pressure will be relatively low (tallest buidling is 6 stories and the pump head will be less than 60psig.).  Does anyone have a design guide for plastic pipe in chilled water applications?    

RE: Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

You could always use CPVC Sch 80 if your worried about damage from things hitting it or high pressure.  The labor is pretty much the same except the pipe is $2x PVC, which is still dirt cheap.  I guess just dont freeze the water in the pipe and it will be okay.  I couldnt find any specs on the low temperature (only high temp) side of the plastic pipe.    

RE: Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

I am in a year round cooling environment, we use sched 80 pvc. It expands and contracts quite a bit with temperature.

Maybe look at urecon preinsulated pipe

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.

RE: Plastic pipe in indoor chilled water systems

Many chilled water users (including college campuses, you could see with a quick internet search of specifications etc.) for many reasons including experience, use ductile iron pipe.  It is more impact and "pressure" resistant than the plastics.     

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