NSF International is the leading independent testing and certification organization for the plastic industry, including PE, PE-RT, PEX, PP, CPVC, and PVC pipes. The plastic testing laboratories have been relocated from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, and from within the NSF International global headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The new facility, known as the Willow Run Laboratory, is about 15 miles from NSF’s headquarters.

The moving phases had been ongoing for more than a year, and the new Willow Run Laboratory has remained fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic to fulfill NSF International’s public health and safety mission as it relates to product safety.

“By bringing NSF’s laboratories under one roof, we are offering greater ease to our global clients, providing advanced plastic pipe, fitting and material testing, and establishing Southeast Michigan as the heart of the plastic piping testing industry,” said Dave Purkiss, vice president of the global water division at NSF International.

Plastic products are tested to verify they meet the required durability, performance, and safety criteria of 150 methods and standards used in commercial and residential applications. These applications include drinking water, radiant heating, gas distribution, sprinkler/fire safety, electrical conduit, and geothermal systems.

Separate from testing for certification, the new lab also conducts custom plastic testing as well as research and development. This includes evaluating non-standard components using routine tests. It can also include evaluating routine components using non-standard tests and simulation of in-service conditions. One example is applying a test typically designed for rigid piping products to a flexible hose in an atypical environment to potentially determine failure mechanisms or estimated lifetime.

The new facility offers nearly 2,000 test stations, including stations for long-term pressure/stress testing and hydrostatic design basis (HDB) and minimum required strength (MRS) ratings as well as short-term burst and other pressure performance requirements.

The Willow Run Laboratory tests up to 18-inch diameter pipes under sustained pressure and up to 4-inch diameter pipes for chlorine resistance. The lab also evaluates the long-term impact of disinfectants, such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines, on plastic material performance. Other specialties include slow crack growth (SCG) validation and rapid crack propagation (RCP) testing. 

The lab is part of NSF International’s global network of ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.nsf.org.