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ACETAL:
A type of plastic used in the manufacture of fittings for PB plumbing
systems.
ADAPTER
FITTING: A fitting used where PB pipe connects to a plumbing
fixture, such as the connection to faucets and toilet tanks and
other types of pipe. These are not insert fittings.
CLASS
MEMBER: All persons and entities that (1) own real property
or structures in the United States in which there was installed
between January 1, 1978 and July 31, 1995, polybutylene plumbing
with acetal insert or metal insert fittings or a polybutylene yard
service line; (2) own or previously owned such real property or
structures and have already incurred any cost or expense, by reason
of leakage from, or from failure, repair, or removal of, all or
any portion of such polybutylene plumbing or yard service line which
was installed between January 1, 1978 and July 31, 1995; or (3)
will own such real property or structures during the term of entitlement
to relief under the Settlement Agreement. Class Member does not
include purchasers under a contract for deed or other tenants who
are not owners of such real property or structures. Class Members must own property at a time during which a qualified leak or yard system leak could occur.
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COMPRESSION
FITTING: A fitting which attaches one or more components of
the plumbing system using nuts which screw onto a threaded body.
Compression fittings allow components to be assembled by screwing
the pieces together without special tools. These are commonly used
to make repairs to the PB plumbing system. Leaks involving compression
fittings are not covered.
CONSUMER
PLUMBING RECOVERY CENTER (CPRC): The claims resolution facility
established and approved by the Court to administer relief provided
for under the terms of the Settlement Agreement.
CPVC:
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride. A plastic plumbing material similar
to PVC, but rated for use in hot water systems.
CRIMP
RING: A metal ring used with insert fittings that slides over
the PB pipe and is crimped using a crimp tool in order to seal the
connection between the pipe and the fitting. Crimp rings may be
either aluminum or copper.
DATE
OF PB PLUMBING INSTALLATION: The respective date that a PB Plumbing
System or PB Yard Service Line was installed.
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FITTING:
The component in a plumbing system that connects two or more pieces
of pipe together.
FUSION
FITTING: A non-insert fitting. The pipe slides into the fitting
and then is fused with the pipe using a heat process. Very unlikely
that this would be used for a repair. Leaks involving a fusion fitting
are not covered.
HEAT
RECOVERY SYSTEMS: Systems designed to pump potable water into
pipe coils placed in the exhaust of an air conditioner compressor/heat
exchange unit. The heat that is removed from the property is taken
by the refrigerant to the unit where a fan blows it out into the
atmosphere. By placing water filled coils in the path of this hot
air, the normally discarded heat is used to heat water. This water
is returned to the property's water heater. The system is fully
integrated with the potable water system and is covered under the
Settlement if the system meets all other criteria, such as plastic
or metal insert fittings.
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HOT
WATER HEATING SYSTEM: This system, which is properly called
a Hydronic Heating System, is one which utilizes hot water
to heat the living spaces within a building. The heat source may
be any of a variety of sources including dedicated heaters or domestic
potable hot water heaters. There are basically two types of Hydronic
Heat systems, Radiant Heat Systems and Forced Air Heat
Systems.
- Radiant
Heat Systems are systems which use heat exchange units throughout
the living spaces. These units heat the spaces by simply allowing
the heat from water flowing through them to radiant out
into the spaces. There are no fans involved, the water is caused
to flow through the system by a pump. There are several types
of these, some utilize radiators, some utilize baseboard heaters
and some simply have lengths of pipe coiled about in the walls,
ceiling and slabs of the building.
- Forced
Air Systems are systems which use fans to force air
from the living spaces of a building to flow through a heat exchange
unit. Hot water is caused to flow through the heat exchange. The
air is heated by the water and returns to the living spaces to
start the cycle all over again. Examples of these are Apollo and
AquaTherm heating systems.
Any
system or sub-system which uses water for the purpose of distributing
heat rather than for the traditional uses of potable water (e.g.
drinking, cooking, washing and bathing) is not a covered system. The potable water system ends at such point as may be identified
by a valve which isolates the heat system from the potable water
system. That point may simply be a Tee-off from the potable water.
INSERT
FITTING: Type of fitting, which is inserted into the pipe in
order to connect two or more pieces of pipe. After the fitting is
inserted into the pipe a crimp ring is placed over the pipe and
fitting in order to create a seal. Covered insert fittings are those
fittings which are composed of acetal or copper and have an insert connector at every connection.
LEAK:
Leak means any verifiable failure in any component of a PB Plumbing
System leading to unwanted discharge of water exclusive of (1) a
leak in the first year of any applicable warranty period provided
by the unit's builder, contractor or manufacturer (2) a leak resulting
from abuse of such system or circumstances unrelated to ordinary
use of such system, including acts of nature (e.g. earthquake, fire,
flood, hurricane, tornado, etc.) (3) a leak that may be repaired
without cutting the wall in or at (a) a valve, or (b) a riser (which
is the connecting line from a shut-off valve to a fixture) or an
adapter to a fixture and (4) a leak in an ice-maker line.
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LEAK
EXPENSES: The reasonable and necessary unreimbursed costs for
repairing qualified leaks (including repair of access damage) in
the PB plumbing system and any physical damage to such claimant's
tangible property directly resulting from a qualifying leak.
MANIFOLD:
A device for distributing plumbing lines from a central location
into a number of different directions in order to reach various
fixtures or various portions of the home. Manufactured manifold
systems are typically installed without fittings. Such systems are
not covered unless they contain acetal-plastic or metal insert fittings.
MIXED
FITTING SYSTEM: A system with both plastic and metal insert
fittings as original installation. A system that has been repaired
by installing metal fittings to replace original plastic fittings
is not a Mixed System.
MOBILE
HOME: Manufactured housing constructed according to Federal
Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Title 6).
Mobile property constructed with an undercarriage for wheels. A
mobile home may later be affixed to a foundation making a more permanent
installation. Not to be confused with a modular home.
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MODULAR
HOME: Manufactured housing designed for assembly on the home
site and built in accordance with a "Specification Code"
administered by each state, generally following the national Uniform
Building Code (UBC). These structures are transported to a location
with the intent to remain affixed to that location indefinitely.
MULTI-UNIT
PROPERTY: Any dwelling or complex of dwellings with five or
more units and/or a commercial property.
PB
PLUMBING SYSTEM: That portion of any potable water distribution
system with an Installation Date between January 1, 1978 and July
31, 1995, which is within a structure and is composed of Polybutylene
Pipe with acetal or metal insert fittings (or any combination thereof).
PB Plumbing System does not include PB Yard Service Line.
PB
YARD SERVICE LINE: That portion of any potable water distribution
system with an Installation Date between January 1, 1978 and July
31, 1995, which extends from the water company cutoff valve or a
water source to the transition to the inside plumbing system in
or at the structure (excluding the meter) and which is composed
of Polybutylene Pipe with or without metal or acetal fittings.
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PB
YARD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT: The replacement of a PB Yard
Service Line with a PVC or other equivalent non-polybutylene yard
service system that conforms to all applicable codes and standards
and repair of the premises to return the premises, as nearly as
practicable and reasonable, to the condition existing prior to the
Qualifying Yard Service Leak.
PB2110M:
Polybutylene pipe labeled PB2110m is not covered by the Settlement.
POLYBUTYLENE
(PB) PIPE: Potable water pipe or tubing made from polybutylene
resin manufactured and/or sold by Shell Oil Company.
P0LYETHYLENE:
Derived from a polymer developed in the 1950's. This pipe is a rigid
typically black product used in both sewer and water lines. In 1997
the pipe was also produced blue with black interior or black with
a blue stripe. This pipe is typically labeled with either HDPE or
MDPE. It is not covered under this Settlement.
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POLYSULFONE
FITTING: A type of plastic insert fitting, typically black in
color, manufactured by Vanguard. Found mainly in newer manufactured
homes. System composed of and/or leaks occurring in these fittings
are not covered.
POTABLE:
The potable water system is the portion of the plumbing system that
carries water to fixtures such as faucets. Potable water is used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing.
PVC:
Polyvinyl Chloride. A plastic plumbing material, typically white
or black, used primarily for yard service pipe, outdoor irrigation
systems or interior drain, waste and vent systems.
REPAIR:
To fix only the leaking fitting or leaking section of pipe that
has experienced or is experiencing a failure. Not a complete removal
and/or replacement of the PB water system.
REPLUMB
(Repipe): The replacement of an interior PB plumbing system
in a specific "Unit" with Type M copper, CPVC or other
equivalent non-polybutylene plumbing system that conforms to all
applicable codes and standards, and repair of access damage to return
the "Unit", as nearly as practicable, to the condition
existing prior to the Replumb.
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RISER:
A small diameter PB supply tube with a molded end used to connect
from a valve to a fixture, typically under sinks and at commodes.
SHUTOFF
VALVE: This valve is close to the house or inside the house
and shuts the water off to the interior water lines. This is not
the meter valve.
SINGLE
FAMILY PROPERTY: A property that is ordinarily expected to be
occupied by a single family, irrespective of the relationship, if
any, between or among the actual occupants. Commonly referred to
as site built homes. For more information see the UNIT definition
for a Type I Unit.
SOLAR
HOT WATER SYSTEMS: Systems designed to heat water for the potable
water system. These are not designed to heat living spaces. These
are usually installed as an auxiliary system that works in conjunction
with a standard water heater.
TRANSITION
P0INT: The point at which the main service or distribution line
connects to the interior plumbing system either inside the property
or outside the property. Transition points vary depending on type
of property.
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UNIT:
A Unit means any real property or structure, or part thereof, situated
in the United States with a PB Plumbing System or PB Yard Service
Line. A Type I Unit is a single family site-built or modular residence,
a single family dwelling unit in a duplex, triplex or quadruplex
dwelling, a single-family unit in a condominium, a single family
townhouse unit in a townhouse development, an apartment in an apartment
building or complex, and each part of a commercial or other structure
(e.g., a public or governmental structure, office building, store,
shopping center, retail mall, factory, workshop, warehouse, garage,
library, auditorium, museum, hospital, club, or public or private
school, college or university) occupied by a single tenant or tenant
group. When a structure other than a single family dwelling includes
a common area with plumbing service, such as a common area restroom,
laundry room, recreation room, clubhouse or communal kitchen, or
plumbing servicing more than one unit, each such discrete area or
plumbing system shall be considered to constitute an individual
Unit separate and distinct from the other individual Units in the
structure. A Type II unit shall mean a mobile home. Unit does not
include boats, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, or other
motorized vehicles or vehicles intended for regular use on public
roads, nor shall it include any aspect of any municipal or other
water service system upstream from the water company cutoff valve.
VALVE:
A device used for turning the water supply on and off. Often referred
to as "stops." The mechanical failures of such valves
are not covered.
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