Section 46 33 44 — Peristaltic Chemical Metering Pumps
Real Blue-White FLEXFLO® model data, off-gassing chemical selection logic, and the specification mistakes that turn a working spec into a failed installation. LibertyCES is an authorized Blue-White distributor across CA, NV, AZ, and NM.
Have a 46 33 44 spec section in hand? Send it and get a real model match, not a catalog guess.
Request a Spec Review →Peristaltic (Tube-Based) Chemical Metering Pumps
Section 46 33 44 covers self-priming, tube-based positive-displacement pumps that meter chemical into a process line via a rotating roller assembly compressing a flexible tube — the design that lets these pumps pass gaseous slugs from off-gassing chemicals (sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid) safely, without the vapor lock that can affect diaphragm pumps. Real family description from Blue-White's own literature: low-maintenance, gentle/nearly-pulsation-free pumping action, suited to gaseous chemicals, shear-sensitive fluids, viscous slurries and solids, and low-moisture fluids. Built-in patented TFD (Tube Failure Detection) is standard across the FLEXFLO line, and accuracy runs ±5% full scale (±2% if calibrated).
Provide This to Get a Real Match Against the Section
| What to Provide | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Application chemical + concentration | Determines tube material selection (Flex-A-Prene®, Flex-A-Chem®, Flex-A-Thane®) and whether off-gassing is a factor — sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid both off-gas and change the pump-family decision. |
| Required flow range (GPH or LPH) | The FLEXFLO line spans 13 models from 0.0001 GPH (M1) to 534 GPH (A5/M5) — the duty point determines the model, not just the family. |
| Max system pressure | Ratings run from 65 psi (A5/M5) up to 125 psi (most models); confirm the process pressure fits the selected model before it goes on a submittal. |
| Turndown ratio required | Turndown varies sharply by model — 100:1 (A2/M2) up to 10,000:1 (M1/M3/M4/M5) — a real spec differentiator on precision-dosing applications. |
| NSF/ANSI 61 requirement | Municipal (M-series) models are NSF 61 listed; Industrial (A-series) models are not — a municipal potable-water spec will name this explicitly. |
| Control I/O requirements | Remote Start/Stop, 4-20mA in/out, EtherNet/IP™, PROFIBUS, and Modbus-TCP availability varies by model — confirm the spec-called-out protocol against the specific model, not the family. |
Blue-White FLEXFLO® Model Line (Sampled)
The FLEXFLO line spans 13 real models across Industrial (A-series), Municipal (M-series, NSF/ANSI 61 listed, 5-year warranty), and Aquatics segments. Five representative models below — full model-level detail available on request.
| Model | Flow Range | Max Pressure | Turndown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 / M1 | 0.003 – 5.6 GPH (industrial) / 0.0001 – 5.60 GPH (municipal) | 100 psi | A1: 2,000:1 / M1: 10,000:1 | Smallest-flow model in the line; M1 is NSF 61 listed, 5-year warranty. |
| A2 / M2 | 0.02 – 17.2 GPH | 125 psi | 100:1 (both) | Only pair in the line sharing the same turndown across Industrial/Municipal; brush motor (M2), brushless (A2). |
| A3 / M3 | 0.001 – 33.3 GPH | 125 psi | A3: 2,500:1 / M3: 10,000:1 | Deepest per-model documentation in the line — 5" touchscreen LCD, NEMA 4X (IP66), tool-free tube changes, optional dual-channel tube design. |
| A4 / M4 | 0.01 – 158.5 GPH | 125 psi | A4: 2,500:1 / M4: 10,000:1 | Mid-high flow tier; same feature set as A3/M3 at higher capacity. |
| A5 / M5 | 0.0302 – 534 GPH | 65 psi | 2,500:1 / 10,000:1 | Highest-flow model; lowest max pressure in the line — confirm process pressure before specifying at this flow tier. |
Source: Blue-White Industries chemical metering pump product/spec pages, real flow/pressure/turndown data as published by the manufacturer.
What Gets Missed in a 46 33 44 Spec
Blue-White's own literature states diaphragm pumps require priming and are vapor-lock-prone with off-gassing chemicals like sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid, while peristaltic pumps "pass slugs of gas safely, eliminating the chance of vapor lock." This is a real, vendor-stated mechanism difference, not a marketing claim — a spec section written around the wrong pump family for the chemical will fail in service, not on paper.
Multiple vendors rate PVDF "Excellent"/"A" for sodium hypochlorite at 25% and 12.5% concentrations. But a separate, broader chemical-resistance chart (measured on an active-chlorine-concentration basis, the way commercial bleach strength is normally stated) rates PVDF as Not Resistant even at room temperature at true 12.5% available-chlorine strength — a materially more conservative finding. Confirm whether the spec's stated concentration is total NaOCl or active-chlorine basis before treating PVDF as a safe default.
Turndown swings from 100:1 (A2/M2) to 10,000:1 (M1/M3/M4/M5) within the same product line — a spec written generically around "FLEXFLO peristaltic pump, 1000:1 turndown" without naming the exact model may not match any actual SKU.
Industrial (A-series) and Municipal (M-series) models sometimes share nearly identical flow/pressure specs but differ in NSF 61 status, warranty length (2yr vs. 5yr), and motor type (brushless vs. brush on some pairs) — a potable-water application specified with an A-series model on flow numbers alone can miss the NSF 61 requirement entirely.
Section 46 33 44 FAQ
What does CSI Section 46 33 44 typically cover?
Section 46 33 44 (Peristaltic Chemical Metering Pumps) covers tube-based, self-priming positive-displacement pumps used to feed chemicals into a water or wastewater process at a controlled, adjustable rate — typically specified by flow range, turndown ratio, pressure rating, tube material chemical compatibility, and control I/O (4-20mA, Modbus, etc.). It sits within Division 46 (Water & Wastewater Equipment) alongside diaphragm metering pumps (Section 46 33 43) and chemical feed systems.
What do I need to provide LibertyCES to get a quote against a 46 33 44 spec?
The chemical and concentration being dosed, the required flow range and turndown ratio, system pressure, any NSF/ANSI 61 requirement (municipal potable-water work), and the control I/O the spec calls out (4-20mA, EtherNet/IP, Modbus-TCP, etc.). Send the section itself if available — LibertyCES matches it against the real FLEXFLO model line rather than a generic peristaltic pump description.
Is peristaltic always the right pump technology for sodium hypochlorite?
It is the technology Blue-White's own literature recommends specifically because it passes off-gassing slugs without vapor lock, and it's independently confirmed by at least four other vendors (Poly Processing, Snyder, Assmann, Hayward) as the right general design direction for off-gassing chemical service. But wetted-material selection still matters — see the Common Specification Mistakes above regarding PVDF at true active-chlorine concentration — and a diaphragm pump can still be specified correctly if the material and mechanism tradeoffs are disclosed.
Does LibertyCES only quote Blue-White FLEXFLO pumps for this section?
Blue-White FLEXFLO is the manufacturer LibertyCES has the deepest real spec data for in this category, but LibertyCES also handles approved-equal comparisons — see the Chemical Metering Pumps Approved Equal Comparison for a documented FLEXFLO-vs-ProMinent-DULCOFLEX comparison if the spec names a different manufacturer.
What documentation does LibertyCES provide for a 46 33 44 submittal?
Manufacturer cut sheets, technical data sheets, tube chemical-compatibility tables, and IOM manuals for the exact model quoted. Certifications (NSF 61 for municipal models) are provided where the manufacturer publishes them. See the Bid Desk for full submittal-support scope.
Working a 46 33 44 spec right now?
Send James the spec section and the chemical/concentration being dosed — get a real model match, an approved-equal comparison, or submittal documentation back.
Ready to buy or need a fast answer? Call, text, or email James directly — (559) 395-5500 · [email protected].