We are pleased to announce a new addition to our lineup of materials that comply with the NSF/ANSI 61 standard: American Biltrite NSF/ANSI 61 compliant EPDM. This new material extends our capability to supply gaskets fully compliant to the requirements of NSF/ANSI 61 standard for potable water applications.
NSF/ANSI 61 includes criteria for testing and evaluating products to ensure they do not leach contaminants into water, thus creating a health concern or hazard. Developed by a team of scientists, industry experts and key industry stakeholders, NSF/ANSI 61 establishes minimum criteria for impurities and contaminants that may be released indirectly into drinking water from products, components and materials, including joining and sealing materials such as gaskets and seals.
The use of gaskets and seals compliant to NSF/ANSI 61 are becoming increasingly important in certain industry sectors in both Canada and the USA. In the USA, all states now require NSF/ANSI 61 for municipal water product components. State agencies can order removal of non-certified products. Fines can be issued, but the cost of removing or replacing equipment is likely to exceed the fine. Enforcement often occurs at the bid request stage when a utility is not specifying NSF/ANSI 61 in a bid or if it specifies NSF/ANSI 61 but awards the contract to a product that is not compliant.
In Canada, similar regulations are being enacted. According to NSF, Canada is including the same wording as the US legislation in its standards and codes, and many Canadian provinces now require products used in municipal-water distribution systems and building plumbing systems to comply with the requirements of NSF/ANSI 61.
American Biltrite NSF/ANSI 61 EPDM is a high-quality, ASTM grade sheet that offers outstanding resistance to heat, ozone and sunlight, with superior resistance to water and steam and good flexibility at low temperatures. Gaskets fashioned from this EPDM are an ideal choice for the following applications:
Public drinking water distribution, including water storage tanks and reservoirs, water meters and all individual components.
Joining and sealing materials (gaskets, adhesives, lubricants).
Mechanical devices (water meters, valves, and filters).
Pipes and related products (pipe, hose, fittings).
Plumbing devices (faucets, drinking fountains).
Fire hydrants.
Process media (filter media, ion exchange resins).
Non-metallic potable water materials.
Technical specifications for American Biltrite NSF/ANSI 61 EPDM are given below:
Canada Rubber Group Inc. is a leading producer of gaskets and seals that are compliant with the requirements of NSF/ANSI 61. If you are involved with municipal water distribution, or an equipment manufacturer that requires gaskets compliant to NSF/ANSI 61, we will be pleased to discuss how we can service your needs.
To find out more about gaskets and fabricated rubber products we can fabricate from American Biltrite NSF/ANSI 61 EPDM and other NSF/ANSI 61 compliant materials, contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.