ZERN_PEX Supply Plumbing

[Mike Tracy]

THis is the first time I have run across this type of supply plumbing. DOes anyone have any experience with it and is their any concerns with this type of supply?

Thanks for your help!!!

[John Arnold]

I believe there is a current class action suit. Try doing a search of this board.
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/plumbing-system-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/5686-pex-class-action-suits-have-begun.html

[Mike Schulz]

Zern Changing Crimp Rings - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum (http://www.contractortalk.com/showthread.php?t=15639)

[Timothy M. Barr]

I have been using Pex for about a year Great to work with. They have been using it in all the Habit tat homes for about a year. One reason they approved here is because it is not worth stealing. I did a little test on pex I hooked it up to compressed air, About 200 pounds Crimps held just fine

[Jerry Peck]

I did a little test on pex I hooked it up to compressed air, About 200 pounds Crimps held just fine

Timothy,

Try a better and more accurate test:

Use a micrometer and measure the outside diameter of the crimp rings.

Do your pressure test again. Repeat every few hours (to try to simulate varying pressures in the piping). Do this for 5 years, mic the crimp rings again every 6 months and see if there are any changes, mic them under pressure, under no pressure.

I don't know that you should see any growth in the size (diameter) of the crimp rings as that would indicate they are flexing, flexing metal fatigues and fails eventually.

[Timothy M. Barr]

Tool maker by trade been there and done that That was one of things I checked Nothing moved Now if you use the cheap copper rings don't stand near them

[Joshua Hardesty]

Cheap copper rings?

If you're using zurn pex I'm curious what other methods of joining pipes you're using.

[Timothy M. Barr]

Push on fitting Similiar to quick disconnect air hose fitting

[Bruce King]

The issue is not about the crimps.

If the fitting has QPEX on it, it is a Zurn and also sold as QuestPEX at H. depot.

These are the brass fittings involved in the class action suit.


Back to the copper crimps, I would like to see a test done like this:

Crimp a copper ring properly onto the proper barbed fitting using the proper tool onto a pipe capable of being pressure tested.

Cut the crimp ring off with a dremel tool being careful not to damage the pipe.

Don't bother trying to pull the fitting off the pipe, you can't, the barbs are all imbedded into the pipe wall at this point.

Now pressure test this joint that has no crimp ring.


It might blow off around 200 to 300 psi. so be careful.

[Joshua Hardesty]

Push on fitting Similiar to quick disconnect air hose fitting

Can you post a brand name?

I'm curious if they're similar to sharkbites.

[MaMa Mount]

Can someone explain a bit about the installation of a Zern Pex manifold.
Today on a inspection I came across this set up in a garage at the front wall. Opposite this wall was the master bathroom.

Once you remove the exterior plastic panel cover you could see the plumbing equipment, but you could also see the wall insulation to the side of this equip.

If you pulled the insulation back a bit you could see the drywall. It was my understanding that these PEX setups were inside a panel box like electrical service equipment.

If there was a fire in the garage, the plastic panel would surely melt away and it could spread directly into the wall cavity or beyond the opposite wall.

Thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.

MaMa

[Timothy M. Barr]

I have seen two them. Both mounted to board then this is attached to the concrete block wall in the basement. Both were Habit for Humanity homes. Both homes passed code here in Canton Ohio

[Jerry Peck]

Can someone explain a bit about the installation of a Zern Pex manifold.
Today on a inspection I came across this set up in a garage at the front wall. Opposite this wall was the master bathroom.

Once you remove the exterior plastic panel cover you could see the plumbing equipment, but you could also see the wall insulation to the side of this equip.

If you pulled the insulation back a bit you could see the drywall. It was my understanding that these PEX setups were inside a panel box like electrical service equipment.

If there was a fire in the garage, the plastic panel would surely melt away and it could spread directly into the wall cavity or beyond the opposite wall.

All that is required is that there be at least 1/2" gypsum board separating the garage from the house, so, they could attach furring strips, set back from the garage wall surface, to the sides of the studs, install 1/2" gypsum board, then install the PEX manifold on that gypsum board with its plastic cover, or, (to keep it simpler) just install a gypsum board cover in place of the plastic cover, mounting the PEX manifold 'within the wall' but still providing the 1/2" gypsum board separation.

[Jim Luttrall]

Can someone explain a bit about the installation of a Zern Pex manifold.
Today on a inspection I came across this set up in a garage at the front wall. Opposite this wall was the master bathroom.


I am seeing this more and more in new construction here. I don't like the break in the separation wall between the house and garage, but the local AHJ's are allowing it. I continue to call it out just like a attic stairway in a garage, it should be a minimum of 1/2 gypsum between the garage and house. One of these days, this will come up on the AHJ radar and get some attention. I do believe the PEX manufacturer's have a fire rated enclosure, but it is more $$ and no one is using it.

[MaMa Mount]

Thanks Boyz, your the greatest.:)

MaMa Mount