The Importance of Standards in Drain, Waste, and Venting Plumbing Systems

The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute promotes life safety by ensuring quality products are in the marketplace and there is easy access to information regarding codes & standards, best and correct installation practices, and so much more. This article provides an overview of standards including providing a definition, why they are important and how they are used.

Standards Defined

What is a Standard? Specification Standards define requirements for a finished product. In this case, CISPI Standards are related to the manufacture of cast iron soil pipe and fittings as well as standard couplings. Standards protect manufacturers, code authorities, designers, and users through requirements for inspection of product dimensions, materials used for production, and chemical and mechanical testing. Many standards have a review cycle of five years.

History of Standards

Until the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute was created in 1949, there were no dimensional requirements or standards for cast iron soil pipe and fittings. In March of 1949, the Institute was comprised of 24 member companies, and represented manufacturers from across the United States. These pioneers identified the need to standardize product design with the following outcomes:

• Aid interchangeability of different manufacturers’ pipe and fittings
• The need for distribution of product information to aid specifiers and designers
• Provide continuing education on the benefits of using cast iron soil pipe and fittings to specifiers, installers, and inspectors

These goals have been the focus of the Institute for nearly 75 years.

The Institute maintains two Standards, CISPI 301 and CISPI 310. These standards contribute to life safety, ensuring product quality and harmonization across manufacturers.

Standardized Dimensions

The first standardized dimension in a standard was used in the production of rifles during World War 2. It required that all rifle products produced by manufacturers be interchangeable.  The Institute learned from standardization of dimensions for the rifle industry and adopted that approach for cast iron soil pipe.

Standards Development

Standards Developing Organizations (SDO) are responsible for researching, writing, and publishing standards. Many of these organizations consist of a consensus group of producers, users, and general interests. Examples of SDOs are:

• ASTM International – Volunteers write product specification, testing method, practice, and guide standards for many industries, including specification standards for cast iron soil pipe and fittings.
• ASME, ASSE, NSF, and others.

 Are standards mandatory?

Scientists, engineers, architects, and government agencies rely on safety standards to ensure the quality and consistency of materials. While standards are voluntary, they are mandatory when cited in contract documents, government codes, regulations, or laws.

Who Uses Standards?

Standards are used by a variety of constituents in the architecture, engineering and construction community including:

• Engineers and architects
  • They design and specify the building plans and product materials.
• Inspectors, Builders and Contractors
  • Their knowledge of standards is important for the integrity and safety of built structures.
• Third-party certifiers
  • Third-party certifiers incorporate Annex A1 in the testing of manufactured products.
  • They are responsible for reviewing quality control reports and conducting random inspections.
• Code bodies
  • The people who develop the code, which includes organizations like the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
• Manufacturers
  • Manufacturers follow the Specification Standard in the manufacture and production of the product.

 Type of Standards

This section provides an overview of standards, what they are and how they are incorporated into the manufacture of cast iron soil pipe and fittings.

Specification Standards use mandatory language. That is to say, the words “should” or “may” are not used. Instead, “shall” and “will” are used.

Cast Iron Standards

Cast Iron Standards are predominantly written by ASTM. One of the first standards written by ASTM was for hub and spigot cast iron pipe and fittings. Today several ASTM standards are used in the production of cast iron soil pipe, fittings, and their jointing methods. Some examples are:

• ASTM A74 – Service and Extra Heavy Hub and Spigot Pipe and Fittings
• ASTM A888 – Hubless Pipe and Fittings, which uses CISPI 301 as a base document
• ASTM C1277 – Hubless Couplings, which uses CISPI 310 as a base document
• CISPI Standards
  • CISPI 301 is for pipe and fittings
  • CISPI 310 is for hubless couplings
  • Original standard for hubless pipe, fittings, and coupling

Note: ASTM standards reference sections of both CISPI standards. Since the publication of ASTM A888 changes are made to the CISPI standards only after the consensus group at ASTM approves changes to the reciprocal ASTM Standards

Specification Standards

The Specification Standard defines the product, components, dimensions, physical and chemical constituencies, and testing requirements. Required marking and any labeling is all included. This type of standard benefits the end user because all products are interchangeable.

The Specification Standard is a mandatory standard and is used by all manufacturers for a product.

Testing

Testing requirements found in the CISPI, and ASTM cast iron standards identify six (6) tests that need to be completed by the manufacturer and verified by the third-party certifiers.

• Radiation screening of scrap pig iron and recycled ferrous metals
• Lead testing of coatings
• Mechanical testing
• Chemical testing
• Pipe dimensional testing
• Fitting dimensional testing

In addition to the above test third-party certifiers are to conduct a random inspection of the manufacturer’s finished goods inventory at the manufacturing location. These inspections are to include dimensional and marking inspections, in accordance with ANNEX A1 of the cast iron pipe and fitting standards.

Practice or Guide Standards

Practice or Guide Standards provide specific details, in this example, for installation of the product. Practice or Guide Standards are not mandatory until they are put into a body of a code. For example, the ASTM Practice D2321 Standard is utilized for proper underground installation for PVC/ABS. However, there is not an underground installation practice standard for cast iron because of the ease of installation.

Test Methods

Test Method Standards identify the method, requirements, procedures, and criteria to test products, materials or conditions to perform the specified testing. An example of a Testing Standard would be ASTM E 84 a test for flame and smoke spread of products used in a building structure.

Learn More

The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute is dedicated to providing standards that ensure consistency in product manufacturing to serve the public good. For more information contact a CISPI Territory Manager.