636 Glue Confusion

[Admin]

Recently, in Ottawa, there have been an increase in inspection rejections regarding the type of glue used to secure 636 PVC pipe to the non 636 PVC intake coupling on the Amana GKS furnace.  The Inspectors are claiming the grey IPEX glue cannot be used to secure the PVC 636 to the PVC intake coupling.

The inspector was using Clause 4.1.3 on his warning tag,

(4.1.3) Subject to clause 4.1.4, an appliance, accessory, component, equipment, or any other item shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's certified instructions and this Code.  
(4.1.4) Where a conflict exists between the manufacturer's certified installation instructions and this Code, the most stringent of the two shall prevail.

You can download the Amana GKS installation guide - Here

Pg.14 of the Amana GKS manual states for non-direct vent, "a minimum of one 90 degree elbow SHOULD be installed on the combustion air intake coupling".  As per section 1.6 of the B149.1-05 (B149.1S1-07) "should" indicates a recommendation, not a requirement, ergo the fitting they are taking issue with, is not even required.  For direct vent, it states "secure the combustion air intake pipe directly to the air intake coupling".  The manufacturer uses different wordage, secure for direct vent, and install for non-direct vent.  It makes sense, in the case of non-direct vent, that glue is not required.  TSSA's position is that if you do install the elbow, you must follow the IPEX cementing guidelines.  I would point out that the IPEX guide is for vent systems, which are defined as something that convey flue gas.  An intake is not a vent.

Amana uses 3 different materials for their intake coupling, ABS, PVC and CPVC.  The intake coupling will sometimes be stamped ABS, PVC or CPVC.

You can download the IPEX 636 installation guide - Here

You can download the IPEX System 636 Cement Bulletin - Here

Section 3(k) of the IPEX guide states,

Follow appliance manufacturer's instructions regarding vent to appliance connections.

Pg.14 of the Amana GKS manual states,

Carefully follow the pipe manufacturers' instructions for solvent cementing PVC.  In Canada, venting must conform to the requirements of the current CAN/CSA-B149.1-05 Installation Code. Use only CSA-listed, ULC-S636 compliant two-three-inch diameter PVC or ABS pipe, solvent cement, and fittings throughout.

NOTE: Because of probable material conflicts, do not use other commercially available "no hub connectors".

Amana says, use ONLY ULC-636 PVC solvent cement and fittings througout.  The grey cement.  Amana acknowledges the ULC 636 requirement in Canada, and advises not to substitute their no hub connector.  I assume that's beacuse it's approved for use with ULC 636.  Amana also advises to carefully follow the IPEX guide.

Section 8(b) of the IPEX guide states,

Do not use solvents or cements other than what is required by this guide. Only IPEX's System 636 PVC/CPVC Primer (purple or clear in color) shall be used for System 636 PVC or CPVC venting systems. Only System 636 PVC solvent cement (grey in color) or System 636 CPVC cement (orange in color) shall be used to connect System 636 PVC pipe and fittings. Only IPEX's System 636 CPVC solvent cement (orange in color) shall be used to connect System 636 CPVC pipe and fittings.

Section 8(c) of the IPEX guide states,

In instances where transitions between material types is necessary, only System 636 Transition Cement shall be used for connections to ABS. Only System 636 CPVC cement shall be used for transitions between PVC and CPVC.

Apparently the inspector has spoken with IPEX and they said we can use the 636 PVC (grey) cement to secure the 636 PVC pipe to the non 636 PVC intake coupling, which is what we have been doing.  However, you can interpret Section 8(c) to mean that only 636 CPVC cement (orange) shall be used between 636 pipe and non 636 PVC or non 636 CPVC, in which case the grey cement would be an infraction.  I am awaiting interpretation from TSSA.

Update - TSSA will not intepret the IPEX guide.  Now waiting for a response from IPEX.

[Admin]

According to IPEX, Section 8(c) refers to IPEX 636 ABS, 636 PVC and 636 CPVC.  IPEX states the 636 PVC cement (grey) can be used on the non 636 PVC material.  IPEX suggested they would be updating their guide to clearly outline cementing procedures for non 636 materials.

The IPEX guide says to follow the Amana guide, which says to follow the IPEX guide!  The IPEX guide says we could use 636 PVC or 636 CPVC glue, but Amana says to use only the 636 PVC glue.  Following Clause 4.1.4, the more stringent instruction would be to use only the 636 PVC glue (grey).

The following is from TSSA Code Ammendment FS-135-08,

The current deadline for special fittings and vent systems to comply with ULC S636 is July 1, 2008. In recognizing the difficulty in gaining certification for these special fittings and vent systems that are supplied by the appliance manufacturer, an extension to comply has been extended for these fittings and vent systems until October 1, 2008.

I think the PVC intake coupling would be classified as a special fitting, and should have already been manufactured with 636 PVC.  The manufacturer should just approve the use of a 2" rubber clamp to secure the 636 pipe to the intake coupling.  Then there would be no problems with glue.

[wantboost]

Was 636 glue always grey never yellow or any other color ?

[tenletters]

Was 636 glue always grey never yellow or any other color ?

Yellow is ABS.

It has always been grey as far as I know. The primer is purple, but there's a clear option I suggest you use. It seems a little cleaner to use in the event that you spill a few drips on the floor.

[scarey8]

S636 glue is available in grey for the PVC (white pipe).  Orange glue must be used for CPVC (grey pipe)  and also can be used for PVC (white pipe) connections. 

[rmuntz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH5HEC2-ock&list=PL9U6LjJezZY-06FugwJP4ieEUPDFC3ADC&index=6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tqXZTLOKO0&list=PL9U6LjJezZY-06FugwJP4ieEUPDFC3ADC&index=5