IAPMO R&T Lab has expanded its plastic pipe testing services through a strategic investment in advanced laboratory equipment, significantly enhancing its ability to support manufacturers serving the plumbing and mechanical industries.
The upgraded capabilities include sustained pressure testing performed in accordance with ASTM F1598 and burst pressure testing conducted to ASTM D1599. These widely recognized test methods evaluate how plastic piping systems perform under longterm stress and extreme conditions, providing critical data on durability, safety, and reliability.
While IAPMO R&T Lab has conducted limited plastic pipe testing for approximately 15 years, the new equipment greatly broadens the scope and scale of that work. The expanded program enhances the lab’s ability to evaluate a full range of plastic piping materials — including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) — to key standards such as ASTM F876, F2389, F2769, D1785, D2846, and D3035.
A major component of the expansion is a newly installed sustained pressure testing system featuring a significant number of individual testing stations, capable of running long-term pressure tests at elevated temperatures and pressures, allowing multiple projects to be conducted simultaneously. The system is designed to identify failure modes and measure time-to-failure performance across a wide variety of product types.
The added capacity enables IAPMO R&T Lab to offer manufacturers a more complete, end-to-end testing solution. When combined with the lab’s established chemical and mechanical evaluation services, the new plastic pipe capabilities create a comprehensive testing program that can address nearly all applicable requirements for pipes and fittings in a single location.
This “one-stop shop” approach simplifies the certification process for manufacturers and reduces the need to coordinate testing among multiple facilities. It also brings IAPMO R&T Lab’s services in line with other leading laboratories, ensuring customers have access to top-tier testing options and faster turnaround times.
The importance of rigorous plastic pipe testing continues to grow as PEX and other plastic piping materials become increasingly common in new construction and renovation projects. Products that do not meet established performance standards can fail prematurely, potentially leading to pipe ruptures, water damage, costly repairs, and safety concerns for building owners and occupants.
“By expanding our capabilities in this area, IAPMO R&T Lab is helping manufacturers verify that their products meet the long-term performance expectations of today’s codes, standards, and consumers,” IAPMO R&T Lab Executive Vice President Ken Wijaya said. “The investment reinforces IAPMO’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, standards-based testing services that protect public health and support innovation within the plumbing industry.”
Geoff Bilau
Last modified: April 15, 2026