Life Cycle Assessment

Polyvinyl Chloride vs Ductile Iron Soil & Waste Systems

System

For the purposes of a direct fair comparison between alternative materials the following identical functional units were used in the LCA study for soil and waste pipe systems:

Properties

Function

  • A pipe system for the gravity discharge and transport of soil and waste from an apartment of 100 m2 to the entrance of a public sewer system

Pipes & Fittings

  • Solid wall, single layer PVC grey coloured pipe
  • All type socket fittings

Lifetime

  • A 50 year lifetime has been assumed, which aligns with the normal life expectancy of a building

Pipes System Design

  • PVC pipe system components are in accordance with EN 1329

* Comparison studies are provided for information purposes only. The environmental impact analysis for alternative pipe materials has been calculated based on the same functional unit and category rules as used for the plastic pipe system to which it is compared. The analysis of the environmental impact of the comparison material has been based on publically available data

It should be noted that data relating to raw materials, manufacturing processes, system design, installation practice, etc. for alternative pipe materials has been taken from various publically accessible sources. Whereas every effort has been made to ensure the integrity and validity of this data TEPPFA cannot accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions.

As TEPPFA has made the results of the LCA comparison studies available for the general public, following the principles of EN 15804, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, a critical review of the LCA study is required. Different to ISO requirements for comparative LCA studies TEPPFA did not install a review panel, but commissioned a single critical review. This critical review was performed by Denkstatt GmbH.