What is PEX and how should you best utilize it in your project? Crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing has been used for plumbing systems in North America for over 25 years, providing safe delivery of potable water and protecting the health of building occupants. A result of modern polymer technology, PEX tubing performs in ways that provide superior reliability, durability and safety. This interactive online course will demonstrate how the properties of PEX tubing can improve the health, safety and welfare of building occupants through reliable long-term delivery of clean water without pipe degradation. Many designers layout PEX plumbing in the same way as copper plumbing systems, without taking advantage of the material flexibility, and increasing installation costs. Other designers use too much pipe, potentially delaying delivery of hot-water to fixtures. Therefore, this course will also explain how PEX systems allow designers to reduce materials, save installation time, and provide faster delivery of hot-water to fixtures by comparing 12 design examples. Finally, using empirical test data generated by NAHB-RC (now Home Innovations Research Labs) comparing various PEX designs, this course will also provide answers about the best ways to design PEX plumbing systems to optimize performance.

• Explain how the properties of PEX tubing and fittings can improve health, safety and welfare through improved plumbing materials
• Describe three distinct plumbing layouts using PEX systems and compare advantages and disadvantages of each
• Apply test data from published research to demonstrate how design of the plumbing layout can improve system performance and provide faster delivery of hot-water with reduced water waste
• Direct an installer on correct installation techniques for PEX systems to ensure long-term safety and performance
• Discuss how to access industry resources for design and installation questions