In your Sept. 24, Page 3 article “Pipe panel will certify, plants, products,” Tony Radoszewski, marketing director for the Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe Association, stated that the recently commenced CPPA plant certification program was the first program of its type in the storm-water industry. His specific quote was “CPPA is the first one to do this. There are no other pipe products for the storm-water industry that are doing this.” This statement is totally wrong. I am very surprised that Mr. Radoszewski is not aware that the American Concrete Pipe Association has had an international plant certification program that has been in effect for several years. ACPA commenced its plant certification program in 1998.
The ACPA program includes independent third-party audits of plants manufacturing concrete storm sewer and culvert pipe and sanitary sewer pipe. Each plant is audited and graded on more than 25 separate criteria. The plant must demonstrate and pass unique test procedures that assess quality well beyond normal ASTM requirements. For sanitary pipe certifications, these tests include water tightness, off-center joint leakage tests, and differential joint shear structural tests.
I am glad to see CPPA finally initiate a plant certification program, but they are far from leading the industry. It is disturbing to see a quality magazine publish such a misleading statement and mistruth. I strongly suggest a retraction of Mr. Radoszewski's statement be issued immediately. If you require further information on the ACPA program, I suggest that you contact ACPA directly. Marketing mistruths or naivety do not serve your magazine or the industry well.
Paul D. Krauss
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.
Northbrook, Ill.
