BCAB #1566 - Transition Cement, Sentence 7.2.5.11.(2)

June 19, 2002

BCAB #1566

Re: Transition Cement, Sentence 7.2.5.11.(2)

Project Description

The project in question is a new 100 unit seniors housing project. It is proposed to use ABS shower strainers connected to PVC trap arms and ABS trap arms under vanity sinks connected to PVC stub outs in the walls.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 7.2.5.11.(2) states that the transition cement required by sentence 7.2.5.11.(1) is only to be used for "joining an ABS drainage system to a PVC drainage system."

Appellant’s Position

The appellant contends that there is no limit on the number of locations in a DWV system that the transition cement can be used. It is only limited to joints between ABS and PVC and may not be used to join PVC to PVC or ABS to ABS.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the ASTM D3138-95 standard for transition cement, referenced in both the CSA PVC and ABS pipe standards, is not a specification for cement intended for "mixing ABS and PVC piping materials. The standard envisaged limited application such as the joint between an ABS building drain and a PVC sewer system.

Appeal Board Decision #1566

It is the determination of the Board that transition cement can only be used to join an ABS drainage system to a PVC drainage system. It is not intended that it be used to join components throughout a drainage system. The ASTM standard for transition cement (ASTM D3138) referenced in the CSA standards for ABS and PVC pipe and fittings clearly states that it is only intended to be used for, "for example, joining an ABS building drain to a PVC sewer system. The intention was not to create a specification for an all purpose ABS-PVC solvent cement that would be used for mixing of ABS and PVC piping materials."

George Humphrey, Chair