TPI September 2023

Mitigating the potential risks of low quality products with steel pipe certifications By Greg Maurer, director of technical services and quality assurance, Wheatland Tube and Western Tube, Zekelman Industries

What could go wrong? The range of what could go wrong spans from the presence of rust to threading challenges to catastrophic failure of the pipe a few years from now. A common scenario is that the lower-quality pipe is installed, the rest of the building is constructed, and then the problem is discovered in final testing and walk throughs. Now, a contractor doesn’t just have to replace the pipe, but they must rip out walls, floors, or ceilings to get to the faulty material. In this situation, the “cheaper alternative” has now cost thousands of dollars in repairs, replacements and delays. The project will not finish on time, and the contractor’s reputation is damaged. And yet, even that last scenario is better than one in which the faulty pipe is carrying natural gas or is part of a fire sprinkler system, where any sort of performance malfunction could be a life safety issue. It’s a concerning scenario, and one that should be avoided at all costs. You simply can’t take someone’s word when it comes to the health and safety of customers, employees or the surrounding community. Certifications that mean more Instead of relying on someone’s claim that their pipe meets the standards, contractors should seek out pipe that meets certification requirements that are verified by a third party. Some of the more common certifications are: • API – American Petroleum Institute . API certified pipe is used in petrochemical applications. It is the most stringent manufacturing certification process. • NSF – National Sanitation Foundation . NSF-61 is for materials or products that come into contact with drinking water. • UL ® and FM – Underwriters Laboratories and Factory Mutual . These organisations evaluate the components in a fire protection system. • UPC – Uniform Plumbing Code . This code governs the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public’s health, safety and welfare. This is not a requirement for steel pipes.

With the influx of steel pipes being imported from around the world, contractors have never had more choices than they do today. With mounting pressure to get a job done for less, some contractors are opting for a quick fix that may save them a few dollars. Besides, the pipes are often hidden behind walls and ceilings, so it’s not as if anyone is going to see a difference, right? And contractors are told they meet ASTM standards, so what could go wrong? Understanding ASTM standards ASTM is a wonderful organisation that develops standards that enhance the performance of products we use every day. In the steel pipe world, the A53 standard is the one that manufacturers strive to meet throughout their entire process. ASTM A53 specifies the steel must be open-hearth, basic oxygen or electric-furnace processed, and recommends the tests that should be performed to ensure the steel pipe adheres to the standard. Many contractors are not aware that compliance with ASTM standards relies solely on self-certification processes by various manufacturers from around the world. There is no ASTM representative that visits the factory and observes the processes to ensure the standard is being met. As such, when someone offers an inexpensive pipe that they claim is ASTM approved, the only way to truly verify it is for the distributor or your team to perform all the necessary tests. A contractor may even find themselves wondering how consistent the pipe’s performance will be from pipe to pipe and over time after the installation is complete. Contractors face various challenges when managing construction projects, from weather delays to staffing issues. While many of these challenges may be unavoidable, some contractors are taking unnecessary risks by selecting lower-quality steel pipes and tubes. This article highlights the potential dangers of these choices and emphasises the importance of certified pipe solutions.

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September 2023 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL