This from my Forum

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I can't answer this one and nobody else has stepped up to make an attempt.

I know they do some pretty crazy things in California now and then. This poster asked this question in my Tanks Forum:

I will be installing a Calfire required 2-1/2" hydrant on my 3000 gal fire/house water poly tank. Calfire says I can use schedule 80 on the outlet side. I plan to do this because of the thicker wall for more strength, etc. Can I also use it for a short stub of siphon pipe(12" or so)in the tank and attached to a schedule 40 elbow at the thru tank fitting? I have enough schedule 80 to do the job or I will have to find a short piece of schedule 40 for the stub. Being only 12" or so and submersed in 3000 gal of water, is schedule 80 drinking water safe?

Anyone know what he's talking about? I have no idea what Calfire is. Let alone trying to find anything in 2-1/2" fittings.

[phishfood]

My guess, and that is all it is, is that Calfire is some type of governmental agency that sets standards for fire protection/prevention. I know that in my area, rural businesses have to have a large tank that is kept filled with water as a source in case of a fire at the business. Maybe this is something similar?

Anyway, I have seen 2 1/2" Sch 80 in both PVC and CPVC. Other than the somewhat lower flow rate because of the recuced ID due to the thicker pipe wall, I don't see any reason that it couldn't be used on the siphon side of the pump. What the enforcing agency would have to say, I have no idea. You probably already know this, but Sch 40 pipe & fittings and Sch 80 pipe & fittings are interchangeable.

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Your guess is as good as mine. Cause I've never heard of Calfire before.

I am aware of the smaller ID for Sch 80. I have never had good luck finding 2.5" anything here in my area. It's just a bastard size and nobody wants to stock the stuff.

[Chris]

Cal Fire is the government and where ever this guy is they are probably just using their standards as a guide line. As for the SCH 80 yes it is drinking water safe we install it all the time for domestic lines. Although I have never installed a wharf head hydrant on a sch 80 line, usually the smallest I work with is 4" so we use C900 PVC pipe but I imagine it would work fine.And for the question about using SCH 80 inside instead of SCH 40 I have never had a complaint for upgrading to a better product but I would ask the inspecting agency before he did it just to be on the safe side.