Under what environmental conditions do you need to choose PVC pipes?

1. Temperature Environment: Normal Temperature, No Extreme High/Low Temperature Scenarios

PVC pipes have a narrow temperature resistance range (typically 0°C to 60°C) and cannot withstand extreme temperatures. Therefore, they are suitable for the following normal temperature environments:

General Indoor Environments: Such as indoor cold water pipes in residential/commercial buildings (cold water branches in kitchens and bathrooms), exposed wall pipes, and cold water pipes concealed in ceilings (no heat sources nearby).

Temperature Outdoor Environments in the South: Such as outdoor rainwater pipes and air conditioner condenser pipes in areas south of the Yangtze River (minimum winter temperatures must be no less than 0°C to prevent freezing and cracking).

No High-Temperature Heat Source Scenarios: Keep away from heat sources such as water heaters, wall-mounted boilers, and heating pipes (at least 30 cm away) to prevent high temperatures from softening, deforming, or releasing harmful substances.

Note: If the ambient temperature is 0°C or less (such as outdoors in northern China) or 60°C or higher (such as near hot water pipes), PVC pipes are strictly prohibited and should be replaced with heat-resistant pipes such as PE pipes.

2. Pressure Environment: Low Pressure, No High-Pressure Impact

UPVC pipes generally have a weak pressure-bearing capacity (common models can withstand pressures ≤ 0.6 MPa) and are therefore only suitable for low-pressure transport applications, including:

Low-pressure water supply applications: Examples include cold water branches within buildings (municipal water supply pressure is typically 0.3-0.4 MPa, with branch pressures even lower) and outdoor water pipes in low-rise residential buildings (no added pressure from higher-rise buildings).

No-pressure/low-pressure drainage applications: Examples include indoor drainage pipes (bathroom and kitchen waste pipes, which rely on gravity and are pressure-free), outdoor rainwater pipes (rainwater flows naturally, without pressure), and air conditioning condensate pipes (condensate is discharged at low pressure).

Low-pressure irrigation applications: Examples include low-pressure drip/sprinkler irrigation pipes in small courtyards and vegetable gardens (irrigation pump pressure ≤ 0.4 MPa).

Note: For high-pressure applications (such as municipal main water supply pipes, high-rise secondary water supply pipes, and high-pressure irrigation systems, with pressures ≥ 0.8 MPa), choose PE pipes or other higher-pressure-bearing pipes to prevent PVC pipe cracking and bursting.

3. Installation and Installation Environment: Non-Buried, Non-Complex Construction Scenarios

PVC pipes have high rigidity but poor toughness, and are less resistant to impact and soil subsidence. Therefore, they are suitable for non-buried and simple construction environments:

Indoor Exposed/Semi-Concealed Installations: Examples include wall-mounted cold water branches and electrical conduits (exposed installation offers increased rigidity, ease of fixation, and superior aesthetics to flexible PE pipes), and conduits embedded in ceilings or walls (without soil pressure or external impact).

Non-Buried Outdoor Installations: Examples include rainwater pipes on building exterior walls (wall-mounted installation, no soil compaction), and balcony/terrace drainage branches (exposed but not buried).

Simple Construction Scenarios: Scenarios requiring convenient cutting and splicing (e.g., electrical conduit with frequent turns; PVC pipe allows for quick connection via elbows; drainage pipes need to be tailored to the specific household layout; PVC pipe cuts and seals the joints for easy operation).

Note: For underground installations (e.g., municipal pipe networks, outdoor buried water pipes), trenchless construction (e.g., pipe jacking, directional drilling), or environments with the risk of vehicle overrun or soil subsidence, PE pipe should be selected to prevent PVC pipe breakage.

4. Media and Corrosive Environments: Scenarios without Hygiene Requirements or Severe Corrosive Environments

PVC pipes are less hygienic and corrosion-resistant than PE pipes, making them suitable for environments with no special media requirements:

Non-potable water transportation: Examples include cold water (used only for flushing toilets and mopping, not for direct drinking), rainwater, air conditioning condensate, and temporary drainage for construction (e.g., foundation pit drainage).

Non-corrosive, general wastewater: such as domestic sewage (without high-concentration acids, alkalis, or organic solvents) and kitchen wastewater (without significant oil accumulation). However, PVC pipes have a smooth inner surface and are not easily contaminated, making them suitable for general sewage disposal.

Non-corrosive gas/liquid applications: Avoid transporting corrosive media such as dilute acids, alkalis, and chemical wastewater (PE pipes should be selected for these applications). PVC pipes are only used for transporting neutral media (such as water and air; PVC conduit can be used for insulating wires).

5. Cost and Budget Environment: Pursuing High Cost-Effectiveness and Cost Control

The greatest advantage of PVC pipe is its low cost (at only 1/2 to 2/3 the price of PE pipe of the same specifications). Therefore, it is suitable for the following budget-sensitive applications:

Economical construction projects: such as water supply and drainage pipes for resettlement housing, temporary buildings, and factory ancillary facilities (no high durability requirements, prioritizing cost control).

Short-term/temporary use: such as temporary water supply pipes and drainage channels for construction (use period ≤ 5 years, no long-term durability required).

Large-scale infrastructure projects: such as residential outdoor stormwater pipe networks and municipal roadside drainage ditches (where pipes are used in large quantities, PVC pipes can significantly reduce the total construction cost).

Summary: PVC Pipe's "Suitable Environment Profile"

When the environment meets multiple of the following conditions simultaneously, choosing PVC pipes can both meet the requirements and control costs:

Temperature: Normal temperature (0°C-60°C), no extreme high/low temperatures;

Pressure: Low pressure (≤0.6MPa) or no pressure, no high-pressure surges;

Installation: Indoor exposed/semi-concealed, non-buried, simple installation;

Media: Non-potable water, ordinary sewage/rainwater, non-corrosive;

Budget: Pursuing high cost-effectiveness and controlling costs.

In these scenarios, PVC pipes' advantages of strong rigidity, easy installation, and low price can be fully utilized, while avoiding their limitations of temperature fluctuations and weak toughness, making them the most cost-effective solution.