Lead is a metal with no known biological benefit to humans. Too much lead can damage various systems of the body including the nervous and reproductive systems and the kidneys, and it can cause high blood pressure and anaemia. Lead accumulates in the bones and lead poisoning may be diagnosed from a blue line around the gums. Lead is especially harmful to the developing brains of foetuses and young children and to pregnant women. Lead interferes with the metabolism of calcium and vitamin D. High blood lead levels in children can cause consequences which may be irreversible including learning disabilities, behavioural problems, and mental retardation. At very high levels, lead can cause convulsions, coma and death. Lead can be dissolved in water when lead pipes are used for transportation of water. So, use of such pipes may be harmful to human being. hence lead-free plumbing system is most favoured for potable water transportation.

The Astral Aquarius uPVC system design and standards prioritize engineering safety factors, ensuring a prolonged service life. With a design service life span of 50 years, the astral aquarius system offers durability. It is highly resistant to corrosion, scale build-up, and electrolysis, even in environments where water, solid ends, or atmospheric conditions are aggressive. Astral holds strong confidence that the system will deliver a service life comparable to or surpassing alternative materials available in the market.

As a professional, you'll soon discover that uPVC pipes can be installed with a speed advantage of at least 25% compared to metal piping systems. This not only saves time but also translates into financial benefits through reduced tool costs and insurance advantages. Additionally, even with the fluctuating metal price structure, uPVC consistently offers a cost advantage in terms of materials, with savings of up to 50-60% compared to traditional metal alternatives.

Indeed, the thermal conductivity of a metal system is 2500 times higher than that of a uPVC system. The enhanced insulation properties of uPVC offer long-term energy savings for homeowners or tenants who prioritize energy efficiency. In this regard, the Astral Aquarius system excels by effectively retaining water temperature for a significantly extended duration compared to metal tubing.

When passing through wood studs, there is typically no need for additional provisions. However, when dealing with metal studs, it is important to take precautions to protect the pipe from abrasion and prevent noise. Various forms of protection can be employed in such cases, such as plastic insulated rubber grommets, pipe insulation, or similar methods. These measures help safeguard the pipe and ensure proper functioning without any disruptive noises.

Astral always emphasizes the use of solvent cement that is specifically manufactured to meet the requirements of ASTM D 2564. It is important to note that all-purpose solvent cement should not be used. Instead, primers manufactured for uPVC pipe are acceptable for this purpose. For more detailed information, please refer to the installation procedure outlined in the manual. Following these guidelines ensures proper bonding and installation of the uPVC pipes.

Most cracks in uPVC pipes are typically caused by rough handling. This can occur during transportation, while being stored at the wholesaler, or on the job site. Additionally, fine cracks may result from cutting the pipe with dull or damaged ratchet cutters. The majority of these cracks tend to happen during colder weather when temperatures drop below 10°C. Similar to other plastics like PEX-A and CPVC, uPVC can become somewhat brittle during these conditions and requires careful handling.

To minimize issues arising from cracked pipes, several measures can be implemented:
A) Educate your installers about the potential problems and instruct them to handle uPVC pipes appropriately.
B) Use a saw or a circular tubing cutter with a plastic tubing blade to cut the pipe to the desired length.
C) Before making a joint, thoroughly inspect the ends of the pipe. If a crack is visible, cut off the split portion before proceeding.
D) During cold weather, gripping the pipe surrounding the area to be cut for approximately 10 seconds prior to making the cut will warm the pipe and reduce the likelihood of problems.

By following these measures, you can minimize the occurrence of cracked uPVC pipes and ensure a successful installation.

Extensive tests conducted at reputable universities and independent laboratories have verified that uPVC surpasses metal systems when it comes to water quality effects. Additionally, it has been established that uPVC is no more toxic than wood in fire situations. The Astral Aquarius uPVC system is manufactured using a lead-free compound, making it highly favored in terms of health and safety. The Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of uPVC is 45, indicating that uPVC is not easily combustible in the atmosphere. Once the source of ignition is removed, uPVC ceases to burn. These characteristics further contribute to the reliability and safety of uPVC systems in various applications.

UV radiation has varying effects on different polymers. For materials like PP and PE, UV acts as a catalyst for oxidation, breaking down polymer chains and causing weakness in pipes and fittings. However, uPVC undergoes dehydrochlorination, not oxidation. This process does not significantly break down polymer chains, resulting mainly in surface discoloration. While impact resistance may decrease due to inefficient impact modifiers, stress-bearing capacity remains largely unaffected. This is primarily an installation issue before UV exposure. If parts of the piping system are exposed to light, applying standard exterior latex paint can provide sufficient protection.

Indeed, it is feasible to use Astral Aquarius at temperatures around 10-1°C. The normal temperature range of uPVC compound material is typically between 23°C to 60°C. As the temperature drops below 23°C, uPVC, like other thermoplastic materials, becomes more brittle. Consequently, its impact properties are diminished at lower temperatures. However, the hydrostatic strength of the material remains unaffected, enabling its use at lower temperatures. Nonetheless, careful and thorough engineering design considerations are necessary when operating at such low temperatures to mitigate water hammer and impact-related concerns effectively.

Sound has a tendency to travel through materials with the highest possible velocity. In the case of metal systems, sound travels because the velocity of sound in metal is higher than that in water, leading to noise emissions. However, in uPVC systems, sound will travel through water as the velocity of sound in water is higher than that in uPVC. As a result, uPVC systems are designed to be as quiet as physically possible, minimizing noise transmission and ensuring a quieter operation overall.

The formation of scale build-up in pipes is influenced by the roughness of the pipe, as indicated by the Hazen-Williams "C" factor. The Hazen-Williams formula is used to calculate friction head losses in a piping system. A higher value of the "C" factor corresponds to less friction and reduced head loss. In metal systems, corrosion leads to a significant reduction in the "C" factor, resulting in increased head loss and scale build-up.

However, with Astral Aquarius uPVC systems, corrosion is not a concern, and as a result, scale build-up is inhibited. The absence of corrosion in uPVC pipes ensures a consistent and smooth flow, minimizing friction and reducing the likelihood of scale accumulation in the system.

In the plumbing market, IPS (Iron Pipe Size) and CTS (Copper Tube Size) systems are widely used. It is crucial to have the ability to interchange between these systems easily. Recognizing this market requirement, ASTRAL has developed special transition fittings to address this need. These fittings enable the connection of IPS systems (SCH 40 & SCH 80) to CTS systems (SDR 11 & SDR 13.5). The transition fittings can be joined using a one-step solvent cement, providing customers with a fast, efficient, and simple solution to connect both systems. These transition fittings are available in sizes ranging from 15 mm (1/2") to 50 mm (2").