The systems include all elements for the pipe system installation for chilled, hot fluid and various industrial applications:
• Pipes in straight lengths and / or coils
• Fittings
• Flanged joints
• Water point connections and accessories
• Welding devices and machines
• Weld-in saddles
• Manifolds
• Shut-off devices
• Cutting and peeling tools
• Installation guide and fastenings
• Transition joints from PP to metal or from metal to PP

When integrating aquatherm piping systems with other systems or components not made of polypropylene (e.g. valves, pumps, other piping, check valves, strainers, etc), care must be taken to ensure the operating parameters for polypropylene won’t damage the other materials or vice versa. Be aware that even if the aquatherm pipe is compatible with the fluid being transported, other materials in the system may not be. All parts of the system must be verified as compatible with the medium being carried before installing them. And, while the aquatherm pipe does not require treatment to protect it from corrosion, metals (ferrous and non-ferrous) in the system may be susceptible to corrosion. Do not mix the aquatherm pipe with other piping systems in conditions that will cause the other system or components to fail.

A hot water circulation system includes all components that are in contact with the circulating water, including the flow and return supply. When there is copper piping used in conjunction with PP-R/PP-RCT in a DHWR system, care should be taken to ensure the operating conditions will not cause degradation or erosion/corrosion of the copper. aquatherm recommends following the Copper Development Association guidelines (CDA Publication A4015-14/16: The Copper Tube Handbook – www.copper.org) for sizing, temperature and flow velocity in copper tubing. This will also help ensure that the copper levels in the water do not approach the regulatory action levels recommended by independent institutions (e.g. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of Germany). Sustained high levels of copper in DHWR piping can damage components within the system, even PP-R.
Damage caused by copper in the water resulting from erosion/corrosion or other degradation of copper components in the DHWR system will void the aquatherm warranty. Accordingly, and as mandated by various regulations and codes in DHWR systems, it is considered good design and operational practice to ensure that the maximum HW-temperature within any part of the system / loop does not exceed 60 °C (140 °F). Some regulations and codes further restrict the temperature at any fixture to a maximum of 50 °C (120 °F). There are some exceptions to this such as the process of thermal disinfection in health care facilities where temperatures of 70 °C (160 °F) or higher can be applied for short periods of time throughout the pipe system.
Importantly, the maximum temperature used must not exceed the rating of the pipe for the operating pressure. (See aquatherm green pipe catalogue –table: permissible working pressure potable water – Fluid transported: water according to DIN 2000) According to some regulations and codes, flow rates in a DHWR system should not exceed 0.5 m/s (1.5 ft/ sec) anywhere in the system, except in some special cases where velocities up to 1 m/s (3 ft/sec) are needed to achieve proper flow temperature. The CDA Publication A4015-14/16 – The Copper Tube Handbook – liwiths the velocity in DHWR system to similar rates.
When re-piping an existing DHWR-system originally installed in copper tubing, ensure all possible copper is replaced. If some copper remains as part of the system, strictly follow the rules and guidelines of the Copper Development Association (CDA Publication A4015-14/16: The Copper Tube Handbook) regarding flow rates and water conditions. Small amounts of copper or brass in valves and other equipment will generally not cause an issue. If the copper fails, it may degrade o-rings, gaskets, PP-R and other components as well, shortening their service life. When adding PP-R/PP-RCT to an existing copper system in a DHWR-application, the level of copper in the water should be tested. These levels should not exceed 0.1 mg/L (ppm). Higher levels of total copper indicate that the copper pipe is corroding/eroding due to system and/or water conditions. To hydraulically balance a DHWR-system and ensure the required flow rate for each area of the building, it is necessary to install hydraulic-balancing-valves in every circulating loop throughout the complete system. This also maintains the flow velocity in the smaller return piping at or below the manufacturer’s or CDA’s recommendations.
In addition to sizing the piping and pumps to the correct flow velocity, care must also be taken to avoid water hammer and excessive surge pressures. Pump systems operating with on/off cycling, or pumps oversized for the piping, can create high pressure and fatigue the piping material. The pump total dynamic head (TDH) must also be matched to the flow requirements, piping layout, and operating conditions to avoid cavitation for all components throughout the system. Cavitation can lead to excessive system noise and more importantly, can result in the erosion and degradation of the pipe surface and other components. Properly sized variable-speed (VFD) constant pressure pumping systems and pressure-sustaining valves can alleviate these issues. The pumps should be sized to operate at maximum efficiency with the lowest energy usage for the required flow rate. The issues described here are only of concern in DHWR-systems. For domestic cold water (DCW) and mechanical (heating-cooling)-systems no additional requirements or actions are necessary. In some situations, the DHWR system is also used to provide hot water to the mechanical heating system. Additional consideration and care must be given for this type of combined system, as the mechanical components may not be compatible with the more aggressive water conditions and flow velocity liwithations of DHWR systems, and these components may be not suitable for potable water contact.

Numerous international certificates testify to the high quality standard of the green pipes.
Some examples: DVGW, SKZ, HIG (Germany) AENOR (Spain) ÖVGW (Austria) WRAS (UK) SAI-Global (Australia) CSTB, CARSO (France) SII (Israel) TIN (Poland) SITAC, KIWA, SWEDCERT (Sweden) IIP (Italy) BNQ (Canada) BRANZ (New Zealand) CERTIF (Portugal) EMI (Hungary) u.v.m.
Hygienic suitability According to DIN 1988 T2 all installation parts coming directly in contact with potable water are commodity goods according to the Law for Food and Commodity Goods. Plastic pipes have to comply with the KTW-recommendations of the Federal Public Health Department.
Material: The hygienc suitability of the material used for the aquatherm green pipe system is independently verified through test certificates from the Hygienic Institute in Gelsenkirchen. The suitability for potable water pipes in the field of cold and hot water is confirmed by continuous tests. Processing: The joining method requires no additives such as fluxes or solder. The connection is made by socket fusion. Potable water – our most precious commodity good: The increasing use of PP in the field of food packing confirms the hygienic qualities of the material. This makes aquatherm green pipe the optimal packing for our most precious commodity good – potable water.

Questions that customers often ask about AQUATHERM GREEN
Where can aquatherm green be used?
Which pipe types are available from aquatherm green?
How can I purchase aquatherm green?
What fire protection solutions are offered for aquatherm green?

The aquatherm polypropylene pipe systems comply with the requirements of the fire classification B2 DIN 4102 (normal inflammable). Compared to natural products like wood, cork or wool, aquatherm polypropylene pipes do not produce any gas toxicity. In case of fire, there is no risk of dioxin emissions.
To avoid fire and smoke transmission aquatherm advises the use of fire retardant seals. The fire resistance period is the minimum period in minutes. The extent of the preventive measures depends on the type of installation. The determining of fire areas and fire classification has to be made in accordance with the law of the country. Information is given by the Planning Department and Building Control Office or the Fire Protection Representative.
Basically fire walls and ceilings with pipe passages have to be installed to the same fire resistance classification. All fire protection systems with a corresponding classification are suitable for aquatherm polypropylene pipes.

Planning:

• TrinkwV-2000 Regulation for Potable Water
• DIN 2000 Central drinking water supply-Guidelines regarding requirements for drinking water, planning, construction,operation and maintenance of plants
• EnEV Decree for Energy Saving
• DIN 1988 Standard for Potable Water Installations
• ISO 10508 Plastic pipe systems for hot and cold water installation – Guideline for classification and dimensioning
• All provided pipe-systems correspond to the technical conditions of the application classes acc. to ISO 10508 for the field of potabel water and heating. aquatherm green pipe for the classes 1, 2 (potable water), aquatherm blue pipe for the classes 4 and 5 (heating).
• For the application of the classification system (acc. to ISO 10508) the national regulations and the manufacturer¢•s instructions must be considered.
• DIN 4109 Standard for the Elimination of Noise in the Field of Structural Engineering
• DIN 18381 Installation of Gas, Water and VOB Part C Sewage Pipes inside Buildings
• DIN 16928 Pipe Connections, Fittings, Installation
• DVS 2207 Welding of Thermoplastics
• DVS 2208 Welding Machines and Devices for Thermoplastics

Systemspecific standards:

• General quality requirements, dimensions
• DIN 8077 Polypropylene (PP) Pipes, Dimensions
• DIN 8078 Polypropylene (PP) Pipes, General Quality Requirements
• DIN 16962ff Pipe Joint Assemblies and Fittings for Polypropylene Pressure Pipes
• DIN EN ISO 15874ff Plastic pipe systems for hot and cold water installation; polypropylene
• DVGW-Working sheets
• SKZ-Guidelines
• DIN EN ISO 9000 ff.

Systemspecific standards: Hygiene

BfR Federal Institute for risk assignment
• Health assessment of plastics and non-metallic materials within the framework of the law for foods and commodity goods for potable water applications

DVGW-working sheet W 270
• Increase of Microorganism on Materials. Used for Potable Water Applications – Test and Evaluation BS 6920
• “Suitability of non-metallic products for use in contact with water intended for human consumption with regard to their effect on the quality of water.”
• Local regulations and codes of practice must be observed. The same goes for regulations regarding the use of chemicals.
*(Additional regional decrees and recommendations are disregarded.)

aquatherm polypropylene pipes may be stored outside at any temperature. A solid base for the pipe is very important to avoid a deformation of the pipes while in transport and storage. At temperatures below 0 °C it is possible to damage the pipes through strong impacts. The material has to be treated with caution at low temperatures. In spite of its high resistance aquatherm pipes should be treated with care. UV-radiation has effects on all high polymer plastics. Do not store permanently outdoor. The maximum permissible storage time outdoors is 6 months.