PVC is one of the most widely used plastics in construction and building. It can be used for drinking water and wastewater pipes as well as flooring and roofing foils. Additionally, it can be used to cover walls and PVC Electrical Trunking. These products are lighter, more affordable, and have many performance benefits.
Lightweight and strong
PVC’s key technical attributes for use in construction and building applications include its abrasion resistance and lightweight.
Installation is simple
PVC is easily cut, shaped, and welded to a variety of designs. Its lightweight reduces manual handling difficulties.
Durable
PVC is impervious to chemical rotting and weathering. It also resists shock when fit in proper pvc trunking size, corrosion, shock, and abrasion. PVC is the best choice for outdoor and long-lasting products. Used in medium- and long-term applications, accounting for around 85 percent of the PVC produced in the construction and building sector.
PVC pipes can last up to 40 years and have an in-service life of up 100 years, according to estimates. Studies have shown that more than 60% of PVC pipes will be used in other applications, such as cable insulation and window profiles.
Affordable
PVC has been used in construction for many decades because of its excellent cost-performance and physical properties. Despite its competitive price, this material is also very durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance.
Safe material
PVC is not toxic. PVC is safe and has been in use for over 50 years. It is the most extensively tested and researched plastic in the world. It meets all international safety and health standards, both for the products and for the applications it is used.
Higher costs can also be incurred when PVC is substituted with other materials for environmental reasons without additional research or technical benefits.
Not only would it have negative economic effects, but it could also have larger social implications such as a reduction in PVC usage in construction applications.
Fire resistant
As with all organic materials, such as wood and textiles, PVC products can burn when placed in a fire. PVC products are self-extinguishing. Products can be slowed down by removing the ignition source. PVC products are fire-resistant due to their high chlorine content. They are hard to ignite and produce very little heat, so they will char rather than ignite.
However, if a larger fire is present in a building PVC products will ignite and emit toxic substances just like organic products.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most dangerous toxicant that is emitted by fires. It is responsible for between 90 and 95 % of deaths. CO is a dangerous poison because we can’t smell it, and most people are killed by fires while they sleep. All organic materials, whether wood, textile, or plastics, emit CO.
Acids can also be released from PVC and other materials. These acids can be smelt and can cause irritation, so people may try to flee from the flames. PVC is a common cause of hydrochloric acid (HCL) poisoning. No fire victim has ever been scientifically proven to have suffered HCl poisoning.
Dioxins played a significant role in measuring and communication programs for many years before big fires were discussed. We know today that dioxins released in fires don’t have any effect on people, as evidenced by numerous studies of fire-exposed people. The measured dioxin levels were not higher than background levels. Official reports have confirmed this important fact. We also know that other carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fine particles are emitted from all fires. These can pose a greater hazard than dioxins.
There are many reasons to use PVC products for buildings. They perform well technically, have excellent environmental and economic properties, and can be compared with other materials in terms fire safety.
