705.14.2 Solvent cementing. Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture. A purple primer that conforms to ASTM F 656 shall be applied. Solvent cement not purple in color and conforming to ASTM D 2564, CSA CAN/CSA- B137.3, CSA CAN/CSA-B181.2 or CSA CAN/CSA-B182.1 shall be applied to all joint surfaces. The joint shall be made while the cement is wet and shall be in accordance with ASTM D 2855 and ASTM F 402. Solvent-cement joints shall be permitted above or below ground.

What 705.14.2 Solvent Cementing

• What condition are surfaces to be in when cemented?
• Which standards apply to solvent cement?
• Are there limitations where solvent cement joints are installed?

PVC plastic pipe requires a primer prior to solvent cementing. Although ASTM F 656 only recommends that PVC primer be purple, this is a mandatory code requirement. The purple coloring is intended to allow the installer and the inspector to verify that the required primer has been applied.

To distinguish the difference between primer and solvent cement, must be a color other than purple. Solvent cement for PVC is typically clear.