PEI 1 on 1 SESSION – UL UPDATE on PIPING STANDARDS and CODE REVISIONS There has been recent advances to fill old gaps in both NFPA Codes and UL Standards to cover “modern” piping systems for many applications. This session will provide a summary of the proposed revisions to NFPA 30 Ch 27 for piping systems, which includes changes in the old material limitations to now allow nonmetallic and metal/plastic hybrid constructions, revised underground types, and a new aboveground piping section. A summary of the new UL/ULC 1369 Aboveground Fuel Pipe Standard will also be provided, along with clarifications for UL2039 & ULC-S633 Connector Pipe ratings and the future of UL971, UL971A & ULC-S679 Underground Fuel Pipe, plus how they fit into the Code revisions.

NFPA 30 Flammable & Combustible Liquids Code – Tank & Piping TC Action on Proposed Piping Revisions for the 2021 ed.

NFPA 30 Sec 27 for Piping Systems – A Piping Task Group was formed this Spring to develop & submit Public Inputs to address modern composite & hybrid pipe constructions based on multiple proposals submitted on them. At the 1st Draft Meeting, the NFPA 30 TAN Sub-Committee advanced:

PI #34 – Revision to allow metallic/nonmetallic underground piping systems, with a reference to UL971A re-established.

PI #33 – Addition to allow metallic/nonmetallic aboveground piping systems, with reference to the new UL/ULC 1369 Standard.

PI #16 – Clarification that flexible connectors Listed to UL2039 with fire ratings for aboveground use are permitted inside buildings.

PI #37 – Addition of Appendix guidance that UL/ULC 1369 has special test & rating options for use in marina piping systems. All of the above PI proposals were well supported by TC members, so we expect few comments to resolve at the 2nd Draft Meeting next July.

UNDERGROUND PIPING – PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

CURRENT UNDERGROUND PIPING CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES, STANDARDS & PRODUCTS

QLXT&7 – UL971 & S660 Plastic Fuel Pipe * FRP, HDPE & Other all-polymer types * 3 Containment Types for Fuel & Vapor * 4 Progressive Fuel Ratings * Underground use only

QLWV&7 – UL2039 & S633 Flex Connectors * Metal, plastic or hybrid types – max 12’ long * 3 Containment Types for Fuel & Vapor * 3 Location Ratings (UG, Sump, AG) * 1 “Automotive Fuel” Rating * Similar “Gaseous Fuels” pipe in MVTV & 7

QLXT&7 – UL971A & S667 Metal/Hybrid Pipe * Hybrid plastic/metal or all metal types * Same Requirements as UL971 & S660 * Same Ratings and UL971 & S660 * Aboveground use possible if “protected”

Underground Piping (UP) – Brief History of USA & CAN Underground Pipe and Multi-Rated Pipe for underground applications.

UL971 & ULC-S660 Non-Metallic UP requirements were revised in 2005 & 2006 to address leakage problems, with significant changes made to physical (assembly, use & abuse) and material compatibility (new fuels, higher % retention) tests.

UL971A & ULC-S667 Metallic & Hybrid UP requirements were added in 2006 & 2007 as OOIs or ORDs, which were almost identical to the UL971 & ULC-S660 test programs, except for some physical test differences depending on the construction.

The UL UP STP 2006 & 2008 Ballots failed to reach consensus on consolidation of all pipe types in one Standard with revised requirements for alternate physical tests and new test fuels to address different biofuels (B20 & E85).

UL2039 & ULC-S633 Flexible Connectors were revised in 2014 & 2016 to cover both UG & Sump applications to meet UST Regulations and eliminate “gaseous fuels” (UL/ULC 536). Based on UL971A, but with “flex tests” & new “aggressive test fuels” to cover more biofuels.

ULC-S679 Underground Fuel Piping was recently published in 2018 as a simple consolidation of S660 & S667, but did not have any significant technical changes.

What’s the Future of UL & ULC Standards for Underground Piping? UL/ULC Bi-National Standard to consolidate & update all these almost identical requirements will hopefully begin during next revision cycle (2022?). The advantages will be:

Update the Requirements to cover modern fuels and align the physical & compatibility tests with more recent piping Standards for consistency.

Dual Certifications with 1 test program for the same products used in USA & CAN.

Reduced “File Review” re-certifications, plus eliminates paperwork duplication & leap-frog requirements.

Reduced Standards Development activities under a Joint USA/CAN STP.

ABOVEGROUND PIPING – PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

ABOVEGROUND PIPING CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES, STANDARDS & PRODUCTS

Rev JYJZ&7 – UL/ULC 180 Oil Tank Pipes * Metal w/wo Plastic – 1/4”- 2.0” D Range * 3 Type Ratings (Supply, Fill/Vent & Burner) * 3 Location Ratings (UG, Sump, AG) * Combustible Liquid Only Rating * Min 15 min Fire Rating + Higher Options

QLWV&7 - UL2039 & S633 Flex Connectors * Metal, plastic or hybrid types – max 12’ L * 3 Containment Types for Fuel & Vapor * 3 Location Ratings (UG, Sump, AG) * 1 “Automotive Fuel” Rating * Similar “Gaseous Fuels” pipe in MVTV&7

New CCN – UL/ULC 1369 Aboveground Pipe * Metal w/wo Plastic – 1.0”- 6.0” D Range * 3 Location Ratings (UG, Sump, AG) + Marina * 1 Automotive + Fuel/Liquid Rating Options * Min 30 min Fire Rating + Higher Options * Extreme High & Low Temp Rating Options

Aboveground Piping (AP) – Brief History of USA & CAN Aboveground Pipe and Multi-Rated Pipe for aboveground applications.

The Absence of Aboveground Piping System Standards forced AHJs to approve Underground Pipe Listings outside of their scope of use, because rigid metal pipe & fittings per ASTM Specs required by Codes had more leak potential (un-flexible, excessive joints) and cost more.

Flexible Connectors and Oil Supply Pipe although optionally rated for aboveground use if fire tested, were limited to either short lengths, small diameters, or only Combustible Liquids, so the USA & CAN STPs & Code TCs agreed to expand UL/ULC 180 and develop UL/ULC 1369:

UL/ULC 180 for Combustible Liquid Tank Accessories is adding 2 new pipe types under a Bi-National Standard (Ballot Aug 2018 & pending CR). The requirements have similar UL2039 physical & compatibility tests, but with appropriate modifications for use on only combustible liquid tanks:

Supply Pipe – Existing copper tubing with plastic sleeves rated for corrosion protection, leak communication and/or secondary containment.

Fill/Vent Pipe – New metal “press fit” connections for steel pipe & tubes for Class II. New plastic “engineered” piping systems for Class IIIB.

Flex Hose – New rubber hose/metal braid constructions for short flexible equipment connections if protected by a fire safety valve. These small diameter piping product will typically be used on limited capacity tanks (UL80 & ULC-S602 or UL/ULC 2258) for heating oil systems, small generators and lube-oil supply systems. This Standard was also accepted as a proposed reference in NFPA 31 Sec 8 for Piping.

FOCUS on NEW UL/ULC 1369 for ABOVEGROUND FUEL PIPING

UL/ULC 1369 for Aboveground Fuel Piping is was published as a ANSI/SCC Bi-National Standard in Sep 2018, with coordinated Code recognition! This new performance based Standard covers modern piping systems for aboveground general purpose and special uses, and has many options:

Primary, Secondary & Coaxial Systems (pipe & fitting) min 6’ L in 0.5”- 6.0” D range. Designs are rigid to flexible with any connection type.

Mixed Materials are permitted, but metal is currently required for either Pri or Sec. All plastic pipe may be considered in next ed.

Pressure Rating min 50 psi for all systems. No “open” systems (UG Pipe) due to containment differences in aboveground uses.

Automotive Fuel Rating covers common motor fuels (Diesel max B20, Gasoline E0-E85 & iBu??, K1, etc.) with 4 aggressive test fuel.

Special Fuel Raging option for fuel blend stocks (B100, E100, M100) with additional tests.

Special Liquid Rating option for special flam/comb liquids (heated #6, etc), chemicals or unclassified liquids (DEF, etc.) with additional tests.

General Use Rating intended for fuel transfer on-ground (tank to dispenser), in buildings (tank to generator or burner), or chase & sumps.

Special Use Rating option for “Marina Use” on fixed or semi-floating docks requires additional corrosion resistance & tide cycle testing.

Severe Temperature Rating option for extreme environments. Normal testing @ -30 °C & 50 °C. Severe testing @ -40 °C & 60 °C.

Fire Resistance Rating at least 30 min with options for +15 min. Protective coatings or end sleeves are tested & covered in the Listing. The Performance Tests were primarily based on UL2039 (+ some of UL971A), have many test parameters increased to address the higher strength and different environmental conditions for aboveground pipe applications. Some highlights are:

Pressure Tests are similar except for severe high & low temp options and new P/F options of min 250 psi Pri / 200 psi Sec or 5X rated

Mechanical Design Tests are similar except the methods combine UL971A & UL971 to address any material combination.

Physical Tests are similar except for higher values for Drop, Impact, Puncture, Torque, Pull, Crush & Bend Tests.

New Support Test option for brackets & anchors holding pipes to walls, ceilings & docks

New Marina Test option for requires severe corrosion (400 hr Salt Fog & 1200 hr CO2/SO2 ) and tide cycle (10k cycle dynamic bending).

Fire Resistance Test is similar except the lowest rating is 30 vs 15 min and the method clarifies evaluation of protective coatings & sleeves.

Short Term Compatibility Tests are similar except for 4X longer UV exposure for exposed non-metallics.

Long Term Compatibility Tests have the same 4 aggressive test fuels & external fluids with repeat pull, crush & bend, but

Pass/Fail Options for min physical property & breakdown retention were added (UL/ULC 1316) – 70% @ 180 days or 50% @ 270 days.

Note - Combined Markings for pipes compliant with multiple Standards will be worked out during the Listing Investigation.