Inspectors Urged to Verify Cast Iron Compliance on Jobsites

The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) and ASTM are very serious about the standards they promote for cast iron soil pipe and fittings. The CISPI 301, ASTM A74 and A888 standards have been
developed over decades with a two-pronged goal: to promote standardization in product dimensions and composition, and to protect the public health, sanitation and safety. Mcwane takes these standards seriously, too; so seriously, in fact, that we go to great lengths to have our products inspected and certified by third parties to confirm compliance with all aspects of the standards. Unfortunately, not all international producers feel the need to be in compliance with these standards. Too often, material is showing up on job sites that does not meet the standard, and yet is passed through and installed on the job. Most of the time, this material is caught and rejected by the inspector or the contractor before it goes too far. Sometimes, however, this noncompliant material is discovered well into the installation phase, requiring tear-out and reinstallation with compliant material, an embarrassing and expensive proposition for all. Inspectors are encouraged to check the material on site to verify that it meets the standard. While the standards themselves are very clear on just what parameters must be met to meet the requirements, it has been difficult in the past for contractors and inspectors to tell which material is

compliant and which is not. This problem has been solved with McWane products; all one has to do is look for the CISPI and NSF marks on the product. If the marks are there, the product has been third-party tested and is confirmed compliant. If they’re not there, odds are the product may not meet the CISPI 301, ASTM A74 and A888 standards. It really is that simple.
 These standards require that all iron used in production be tested for radiation contamination. They also specify that the chemical composition of the iron remain within strict parameters. Too much or little of
this element or that, and the iron is rejected. The iron must be tested during production for tensile strength to ensure durability, and finished products are carefully examined to ensure that they meet the standard for dimensional integrity and accuracy. Tests for all these factors are done throughout the
production day, and results are documented and saved for 7 years. Additionally, pipe and fittings must be marked with the manufacturer’s name and country of origin. Pipe must also be marked with the date of manufacture to better enable production tracking. Check the pipe and fittings on the job sites  If they carry the marks of CISPI and NSF, they’re good to go. If they don’t, beware.