What are the five major differences between PVC water pipes and PVC drainage pipes?

1. Different Applications

PVC water supply pipes are primarily responsible for transporting clean water, such as city tap water supply, drinking water supply for residential communities, and some industrial water transportation. Because they are essential for people's daily drinking water, they place extremely high demands on water quality and safety.

PVC drainage pipes, on the other hand, are primarily used for wastewater discharge, such as domestic sewage and rainwater within buildings. They prioritize excellent drainage capacity and require the pipe material to possess sufficient strength and corrosion resistance to withstand the various substances in wastewater.

2. Differences in Pressure and Wall Thickness

PVC water supply pipes must withstand a certain amount of water pressure during operation, so they are designed with thicker walls to ensure stable water supply under varying pressures. Pressure ratings are typically expressed in MPa, with common ratings such as 0.63 MPa and 0.8 MPa.

In contrast, PVC drainage pipes generally do not need to withstand pressure, so their walls are relatively thin. For example, the specified wall thickness for DN110 national standard PVC building drainage pipe is only 3.2mm. However, for the same DN110 national standard PVC water supply pipe, wall thickness options range from 2.7mm to 3.4mm, depending on the pressure.

3. Different Specifications

PVC water supply pipes offer a wide range of specifications and models to meet the needs of various complex water supply projects. Their nominal outer diameters range from 20mm to 800mm and even larger.

Since drainage systems are relatively fixed and do not require complex specifications, PVC drainage pipes have fewer specifications and models than water supply pipes. Common nominal outer diameters include 32mm, 40mm, and 50mm.

Fourth, Different Implementation Standards

PVC water supply pipes comply with GB/T10002.1-2023, "Uniform Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-U) Pipes for Water Supply," which strictly stipulates various performance indicators for pipes, such as pressure resistance and corrosion resistance.

PVC drainage pipes comply with GB/T5836.1-2018, "Uniform Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-U) Pipes for Building Drainage," which differs from the water supply pipe standard in various parameter requirements.

Five, Different Hygienic Requirements

PVC water supply pipes transport drinking water, subject to extremely stringent hygiene standards. The hygienic performance of pipes transporting drinking water must comply with GB/T 17219-1998, and the vinyl chloride monomer content must not exceed 1.0 mg/kg, ensuring they are non-toxic and non-polluting.

PVC drainage pipes, on the other hand, are primarily used for sewage discharge and do not have special hygiene requirements.

In summary, PVC water pipes and PVC drainage pipes differ significantly in five areas: application, pressure and wall thickness, specifications, implementation standards, and hygiene requirements. In actual construction and pipeline installation scenarios, it's crucial to choose the right pipe based on specific needs to ensure efficient and safe operation of the piping system.