Tyco Statment for CPVC Pipe Solutions Using ABF II Coated Steel Pipe

Since its introduction, Allied Tube & Conduit ABF® II anti-microbial steel sprinkler pipe has been installed and successfully maintained in millions of feet of steel-CPVC applications in thousands of installations.

The small number of recent concerns expressed to Tyco regarding on-site compatibility issues have been vocal, but represent less than one-tenth of one percent (.001) of the U.S. installed base of combined anti-microbial steel and CPVC pipe solutions
incorporating Tyco's Allied ABF II coated steel pipe.

Failures in CPVC piping and fittings can involve numerous factors, such as:

  • Quality of manufacture
  • Installation practices introducing external stress
  • Ancillary products used in the integrated system or at the job site
  • Other site-specific, environmental factors

Tyco's investigations to date on the small number of reported failures consistently indicate that factors other than Allied's ABF II coating are substantial contributors.

As a responsible leader in the fire sprinkler industry, Tyco is committed to performing testing of integrated piping systems in order to understand the root causes of these failures. This testing is extremely complex due to the large number of independent variables associated with any given installation and the high degree of their variation across sites.

It is important to complete this testing and analysis in order to avoid drawing incomplete or inappropriate conclusions.  Comprehensive, professional testing requires examination of field samples and simulation of real usage scenarios over extended periods of time. These tests take hundreds to thousands of operational test hours to complete.

We will provide updates to our customers and suppliers as our investigation and testing progresses. Our target is to complete a round of comprehensive tests from field samples in late March.

In the interim, as previously announced:

  • Allied offers both uncoated and coated steel sprinkler pipe
  • Customers may purchase uncoated raw I.D. 2" through 4" Schedule 10 x 21 foot sprinkler pipe, which will be covered by a one year limited warranty
  • Customers who prefer the anti-microbial protection of ABF II coated pipe can purchase Allied ABF II coated pipe in sizes up to 4" O.D.
  • Customers should specify "coated" or "uncoated" steel sprinkler pipe in purchase orders

Thank you for your continued confidence in Tyco.