System 1738® PVC

Engineered PVC Flue Gas Venting System certified to UL 1738


  • UL 1738 certified vent system for Categories II and IV gas burning appliances
  • Rated for flue gas temperatures up to 149°F (65°C)
  • Pipe, fittings, cement, and venting accessories, sizes include 2”, 3”, and 4”

The use of plastic venting systems on gas fired water heaters, furnaces and boilers has undergone a significant change. The NFPA 54-18 and IFGC-18 Fuel Gas Codes now recognize the UL 1738 venting standard across the United States. 

The safety concern today is in the use of plumbing Solid Wall Schedule 40 or Foam Core DWV pipe and fittings in FGV applications. These products were never intended to be used in FGV applications, but they have been chosen because they are often the least expensive materials available. 

Some manufacturers of these products have stated repeatedly that these products are not designed for FGV. These products do not meet the key performance requirements nor most of the material requirements of UL 1738. Simply put, plumbing DWV products are NOT designed to meet the life safety standards of FGV applications. 

System 1738 Flue Gas Venting offers a full range of pipe, fittings and termination components that are manufactured from an engineered PVC compound, rated for a maximum flue gas temperature of 149˚F and that are fully certified to the rigorous requirements of UL 1738 venting standard for gas-burning appliances, Categories II and IV.

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System 1738 Specific Terms and Conditions of Sale and Limited Warranty and Limitation of Liability

PRODUCT DETAILS

The first engineered PVC Flue Gas Venting System certified to UL 1738

System 1738® is a system fully certified to UL 1738; consisting of pipe, fittings, termination kits, and cement manufactured to strict quality, performance and dimensional standards.

The Code Change and Better Venting Option

Historically, the plumbing and HVAC industry has not nationally regulated the use of plumbing pipes and accessories used for thermoplastic Flue Gas Venting (FGV) installations. Currently, the use of plumbing Schedule 40 Solid Wall or Foam Core Drain, Waste, and Vent (DWV) pipe and fittings are allowed if they are referenced as options in the appliance installation instructions. 

Schedule 40 Solid Wall or Foam Core plumbing DWV pipe and fittings do NOT meet the UL 1738 safety standard for venting one of the most dangerous and silent killers: carbon monoxide. The use of plastic venting systems on gas fired water heaters, furnaces and boilers has undergone a significant change. NFPA 54-18 (National Fire Protection Association) National Fuel Gas Code and IFGC-18 (International Fuel Gas Code) now recognizes the UL 1738 venting standard as an option for venting Categories II and IV gas fired appliances. 

The change to both these model codes empowers relevant authorities to allow the use of a vent material specified by the appliance manufacturers or to be certified to the UL 1738 venting standard.

Venting. ReInvented.™

Advantages

System 1738 Flue Gas Venting offers a full range of pipe, fittings and termination components that are manufactured from an engineered PVC compound, rated for a maximum flue gas temperature of 149˚F and that are fully certified to the rigorous requirements of UL 1738 venting standard for gas-burning appliances, Categories II and IV.

The Certified System for Flue Gas Venting

System 1738 pipes and fittings are black in color which protects against UV degradation. Material type, application and temperature rating is included in the pipe print line as well as on the orange and black labels applied to each fitting. All System 1738 products have been certified by Intertek and carry an ETL mark as proof of certification. Markings on pipe and fittings are required by UL 1738 and clearly distinguish a certified gas venting system from every day, non-certified plumbing pipe and fittings. Look for the System 1738 label and the mark of a recognized certification agency as assurance that the venting system being used is certified.

The UL 1738 Standard Ensures:

  • Pipe, fittings, and cement compatibility
  • Products are tested and certified for the application
  • Easy identification of UL 1738 certified venting system components
  • Certified installation instructions including support spacing, solvent welding, and maintenance
  • Single source product support

System 1738 Flue Gas Venting System Includes:

  • UL 1738 certified vent system for Categories II and IV gas burning appliances
  • Rated for flue gas temperatures up to and including 149°F (65°C)
  • Sizes include 2”, 3”, and 4”
  • Pipe, fittings, cement, and venting accessories
  • Availability of cutting and bevelling tools to ensure proper joint installation
  • Terminations and accessories can be painted to match building exteriors
  • Installation training and literature support
  • National distribution

SPECIFICATIONS

Technical Specification

Categories II and IV Gas Venting Systems

 

General

System 1738® PVC flue gas venting system as manufactured by IPEX USA, LLC shall be a nonmetallic system that is third party certified to UL Standard 1738 “Venting Systems for Gas Burning Appliances, Categories II, III, and IV” in accordance with the NFPA-54 Natural Fuel Gas Code. System 1738® shall offer a full range of pipes, fittings, and termination kits sizes commonly found in venting applications for gas appliances. .

 

Materials

System 1738® PVC pipes, fittings and termination kit components shall be manufactured from compounds which comply with the material requirements of ASTM D 1784, Standard Specification for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds and Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds, having a cell classification of 12454.

 

Certification

System 1738® PVC pipes, fittings, termination kit accessories and cement is certified by Intertek to standard UL 1738 and shall carry the ETL mark for certification validation. System 1738® shall be black in color and certified for Categories II and IV gas fired appliances generating a maximum flue gas temperature of 149°F (65°C).

 

Dimensioning

System 1738® PVC pipes, fittings and termination kit accessories are offered in sizes 2” through 4” (50mm – 100mm) and shall meet the OD dimension requirements of ASTM D1785.

 

Markings

In accordance with UL 1738, each length of pipe shall be tagged with a label warning against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire if system is not installed as per IPEX Installation Instructions. System 1738 PVC Flue Gas Venting pipe, fittings and termination kits include identification markers as prescribed in the above applicable standard to indicate size, material designation, product application, maximum operating temperature, certification to UL 1738 standard and manufacturers name or trademark. The pipe will consist of two bold orange print lines located 180° apart and the fittings an orange label.

 

Markings

In accordance with UL 1738, each length of pipe shall be tagged with a label warning against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire if system is not installed as per IPEX Installation Instructions. System 1738® PVC Flue Gas Venting pipe, fittings and termination kits include identification markers as prescribed in the above applicable standard to indicate size, material designation, product application, maximum operating temperature, certification to UL 1738 standard and manufacturers name or trademark. The pipe will consist of two bold orange print lines located 180˚ apart and orange and black label on the fittings.

Cements

System 1738® PVC cement and primer shall be certified to UL 1738 and meet the performance requirements of ASTM D2564. PVC cement will be auburn in color and shall only be used with System 1738® systems.

 

Installation

System 1738® PVC Pipe, fittings, termination kits accessories and cement are tested and certified to standard UL 1738 by INTERTEK/ETL as a system. Only pipe and fittings supplied by IPEX USA LLC should be used in an installation. The UL 1738 standard does not permit the mixing of components from different manufacturers.

 

Sample Specification

System 1738® pipe, fittings, terminations and cement shall be third party listed to UL 1738. System 1738® engineered materials shall comply with ASTM D1784 and have a cell class of 12454 or 23447. System 1738® is certified as a system. “Different Manufacturers Have Different Joint Systems and Adhesives. Do Not Mix Pipe, Fittings, or Joining Methods from Different Manufacturers.”

CASE STUDIES

Education is the Key: System 1738® & Alabama’s New Flue Gas Venting Code Requirements

The fuel gas code change has improved safety in the community and reduced the risk and liability of those previously installing noncertified venting products.

Expert Approval for System 1738 Flue Gas Venting

Jesse’s years of experience make him very aware of the issues surrounding the use of non-certified PVC DWV plumbing products for flue gas venting applications. Of more concern is that these products do not meet the UL 1738 safety standard for venting one of the most dangerous and silent killers: carbon monoxide.

New Life for an Old School - Keeping Tenants Safe in Massachusetts with System 1738® Flue Gas Venting

Many installers use Solid Wall DWV Schedule 40 PVC pipe made to ASTM D2665 or Foam Core DWV pipe made to F891 and PVC DWV fittings in FGV applications to save money. These plumbing materials were never designed for this use or to withstand the flue gas venting conditions to which they are exposed.

Ask the Expert. Why should I care about flue gas venting? – gb&d Magazine, Summer 2020

Whether you live in a single-family home or multi-family dwelling, the gas-fired appliances that warm your water and your home are outfitted with piping that vents potentially hazardous flue gas.

A flue gas venting option – pme Magazine, May 2020

The use of correct building materials for any job is essential.

The new standard in flue gas venting life safety – pme Magazine, November 2019

Stakeholders must take the issue of life safety seriously when it comes to FGV installations.

Plastic Venting Producers Seek Code Update For Safety - Plastic News, October 2018

Two manufacturers of plastic venting systems are pushing for a national fuel gas code in the United States that requires Underwriters Laboratories Inc. certification for use in some natural gas-fired water heaters, furnaces and boilers.

System 1738®, The New Standard in Life Safety

Homeowners are exposed to the possibility of a life safety hazard every day, and their safety is in your hands. Historically, the plumbing and HVAC industry has not nationally regulated the use of plumbing pipes and accessories used for thermoplastic Flue Gas Venting (FGV) installations. Take the time to read this article, familiarize yourself with the safety facts, and help families in your community remain safe.