Water and Liquids
Potable Drinking Water Systems Standards
For potable drinking water (DW), the single most important issue is keeping water safe, clean, and free of pollutants. All Techno Ad sealing elements manufactured for use in the DW industry meet or exceed strict international manufacturing and environmental standards for the amount and types of contaminants permitted to migrate into drinking water under varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat and/or cold. Techno Ad products have been tested and are DW certified by a wide array of certification organizations, including:
NSF International (USA/Canada and worldwide)
Independent Public Health and Safety Organization
NSF/ANSI international standards for food equipment, DW and wastewater system components. Standard 60 sets health effects criteria for water treatment chemicals. Standard 61 sets health effects criteria for water system components.
WRAS (UK) – Water Regulations Advisory Scheme
Two-tiered testing scheme: material safety testing and mechanical testing. Material safety testing is performed in accordance with the British Standard 6920 (the product does not impart odor or flavor, leach into the water, or promote the growth of microorganisms); Mechanical testing ensures a product is watertight and properly identified.
ACS (France) – Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire
Material safety approval required for materials and products in contact with drinking water in France.
KTW (Germany)
The German Technical and Scientific Agency for Gas and Water DVGW (Deutsche Vereinigung des Gas und Wasserfaches)
DVGW regulations for plastics used in the transport of drinking water – KTW (Kunststoffe und Trinkwasser).
W270 (Germany)
The German Technical and Scientific Agency for Gas and Water DVGW (Deutsche Vereinigung des Gas und Wasserfaches)
DVGW regulations for plastic and rubber materials in contact with drinking water.
AS4020 (Australia/New Zealand)
Standard for testing any product that comes in contact with drinking water.
KIWA (Europe and worldwide)
Independent quality certification organization
Independent testing according to international standards (ATA, CE, DVWG, EPA, ISO, NSF, WRAS, etc), combined testing for multiple countries.
FDA (USA) – Food and Drug Administration
The FDA does not specifically approve rubber compounds. Safe rubber ingredients for contact with foods are listed in the FDA “White List” located in the Code of Federal Regulations (title 21) section number 177.2600. Materials compounded only from ingredients on the list are considered to be FDA compliant.
Underwriters Laboratories – Safety science company
Premier resource for compliance, validation, certification, testing, inspection, auditing and knowledge
solutions worldwide.
FM Global
Insurance, underwriting, risk-management, third party certification of products and services
Certifies products and services with a unique focus on:
- Objectively testing property loss prevention products and services and certifying those that meet rigorous loss prevention standards.
- Encouraging the development and use of FM Approved products and services that improve and advance property loss prevention practices.
ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials)
International cooperative for the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards.
Desalination
Desalination is the process of producing fresh water suitable for human consumption, irrigation, or industrial use from seawater or brackish water. There are a number of desalinization processes such as Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) desalinization, Reverse Osmosis (RO), Multi-Effect Distillation (MED), and Vapor Compression (VC). Each process has its own set of conditions which requires specific types of rubber or combined rubber-metal parts. All parts used in desalinization plants, and especially pumps and valves, must be resistant to the corrosive effects of free chloride ions in addition to withstanding extreme heat.
Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
Equipment for industrial or municipal wastewater treatment needs to be able to withstand contact with a wide range of organic and inorganic chemicals and gases, corrosive chemicals and extreme climatic conditions. Specific rubber materials may be better for different specialized conditions. For example, Neoprene is well suited for an oily environment, silicone can stand up to extreme hot and cold temperatures, and EPDM withstands prolonged contact with water and the weathering effects of direct sunlight.
Fire Protection Systems
Equipment used in every industry for the prevention and protection against the hazards of fire. All components in fire protection systems must be able to withstand extreme heat in addition to not breaking down when in contact with chemicals, gases, and corrosive chemicals.