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This episode breaks down Wisconsin’s new requirement for UL 1738-listed plastic venting systems on gas-fired appliances in commercial buildings. We cover how we got here, what UL 1738 actually is, how DSPS is interpreting “repairs” vs “new systems,” and what this change means in the field.

This episode is based on:

• My continuing-education class on fuel-gas venting
• Direct correspondence with DSPS and inspectors
• Review of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and DSPS guidance
• Industry technical documentation

📘 Wisconsin Code & DSPS References

SPS 365.0501(4) – UL 1738 Requirement
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20365.0501

DSPS UL 1738 Slide Deck (Commercial Buildings)
https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Programs/CommercialBuildings/2021UL1738.pdf

DSPS HVAC / Code Adoption Info
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/HVAC/Default.aspx

🔥 Fuel Gas / Venting Standards

UL 1738 Standard Overview
https://www.ul.com/news/ul-1738-and-ulc-s636-venting-systems-and-fuel-gas-codes

Venting Reinvented – ICC Article on UL 1738
https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/Venting.-Reinvented-UL-1738-Fuel-Gas-Venting-Systems.pdf

System 1738 Technical Whitepaper (IPEX)
https://ipexna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whitepaper-usen-ipex-system-1738.pdf

⚠️ Safety / Failure Case Studies

PVC Flue Pipe Failure – Case Study (PHCPPros)
https://www.phcppros.com/articles/1912-pvc-flue-pipe-failure

Polypropylene Venting Failures Whitepaper
https://duravent.com/literature/L277_WhitePaper_PolyPro.pdf

CPSC CO Incident Investigation Summary
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Updated_IDI_review_CO_and_modern_furnaces_and_boilers.pdf

(Anecdotal) Aspen CO Fatality Claim
https://www.chimneysavers.com/dangers-of-pvc-vent.html

UL 1738 applicability decision-tree diagram 

📫 Contact

Questions? Jobsite examples? Submittal pushback?

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 📧 [email protected]

Thanks for listening to Mastering Wisconsin Plumbing. Stay safe, read the book, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

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