Welcome to John’s Blog. Answers to frequently asked questions are periodically posted here. The objective is to share information about PVC pipe with readers as well as with utilities, design engineers and pipe installers. The blog provides the latest information on PVC pipe design, installation, and application for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
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John Houle: Senior Technical Consultant, PVC Pipe Industry
John Houle holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri and an MBA from the University of Oregon. He has more than 25 years of experience in the plastic pipe industry in applications engineering, market development, forensic analysis, technical writing, and standards development.
In 1980 ASTM published its F679 standard for solid-wall PVC pipe and fittings. The standard’s title, “Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Large-Diameter Plastic Gravity Sewer Pipe and Fittings,” was appropriate at the time, because the product sizes ranged from 18-inch to a maximum size of 27-inch.
In the 43 years since 1980, however, the maximum size more than doubled to 60 inches. What was considered “large” in 1980 is now relatively small. Unfortunately, some specifiers still consider 18-inch as a large sewer pipe – with 60-inch as the comparison, I think it is time to revisit the definition of “large-diameter.” Click here for my Tech Brief on this subject. PVC sewer pipe has been the product of choice for sanitary sewers in North America for more than 70 years. The large market share gained by smaller-diameter PVC pipe is a result of the product’s outstanding performance characteristics – the same advantages that are provided by larger-diameter products.
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