Why Ordinary Drain Pipe Isn't Built to Handle Your Furnace's Heat Over Time - Part 1 - HVAC Know It All Podcast | Lyssna här

In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Gaetano Altomare, Category Manager - Plumbing at IPEX by Aliaxis, who describes his team's work developing certified flue gas venting products. They examine System 1738, its differences from System 636, and the risks of using generic drain, waste, and vent pipe on gas-fired appliances. Installers will learn how certification, product markings, and appliance instructions inform material selection.

Gaetano explains how advances in engineered plastics helped his team develop compounds capable of meeting UL 1738 requirements. Drawing on that development experience, he connects mechanical and material testing to long-term exposure to heat and condensate, then explains the temperature limits and applications of PVC and CPVC venting.

Key Takeaways

Why generic drain, waste, and vent materials are not designed for flue gas exposure, including the conditions that can cause ABS to become brittle and crack.
How System 636 and System 1738 serve Canadian and US certification requirements, respectively, rather than different appliance operating conditions.
How UL 1738 combines mechanical performance and material testing to evaluate suitability for flue gas venting over time.
How product labels and print lines identify venting material, certification, manufacturer, and maximum temperature rating.
Why the appliance manufacturer's installation manual must guide material selection, including when higher-temperature applications call for CPVC.