Specifications For Polyethylene (Pe) Pipes, Fittings, Specials & Accessories For Water Supply
Specifications For Polyethylene (Pe) Pipes, Fittings, Specials & Accessories For Water Supply
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Ambient Conditions 6 - 2
3 Definitions 6 - 2
4 Materials 6 - 2
10 Manufacturer's Certificate 6 - 11
The annual average temperature is 350C while the relative humidity varies generally
from 70% during the day to 90% at night. The pH of water to be conveyed ranges
from 6.5 7.9.
The climate of Sri Lanka is at times, hot and the sunlight is intense. Ambient
temperature of up to 400C is possible and surfaces exposed to the sunlight may rise
to even higher temperatures.
3. Definitions
The definitions given in the relevant standards which are referred to in the
specification shall apply for the terms used in this specification.
4. Materials
All pipes & fittings shall be of blue colour and shall comply to the Clause 5 of the
Technical Specification hereof.
The Contractor shall furnish the Engineer or his representative or nominal inspection
authority with reasonable facilities and space (without charge) for the inspection,
testing and obtaining of such information, as he desires regarding the character of
material in use and the progress and manner of the work.
The manufacturer shall provide results of tests conducted, in accordance with the
BSEN or ISO standards given in the Specification.
All markings described below shall be legible and indelible unless otherwise
specified.
All pipes and fittings shall be marked as specified in clause 8 of ISO 4427 : 1996 (E)
or BSEN 12201-2:2003 and as specified in the Table 1 hereof. The manufacturers
name Identification mark and the PN rating shall be marked legibly and indelibly on
the pipes together with the information shown below.
Markings should be in such a way that it does not initiate cracks or other types of
failures and that normal storage, weathering, handling, installation and use shall not
affect the legibility of the markings.
During the manufacturing process, the pipe should be marked with pertinent product
and process information at approximately 1m intervals along the pipe.
In case of a bend, bending angle and incase of unequal tee branch line
size and main line size.
Pressure rating at relevant temperature
Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR)
Fusion time (Seconds)
Cooling time (minutes)
System voltage
Moulded-in identification and appropriate product information
Terminal pin size of electro fusion fittings
All fittings shall be marked with the corresponding item number in the Bills of
Quantities or any other number specified by the Engineer. An individual data carrier
card in compliance with ISO 7810 and ISO 7811 containing a magnetic strip and
appropriate bar codes as well as manual setting information for data transfer
purposes must be supplied with each item as appropriately.
The Contractor shall provide methodology of protection of pipes and fittings, to the
approval of the Engineer and obtain written approval prior to the pipes and fittings
leaving the place of manufacture and shall maintain such protection until the items
reach their destination in order to guard effectively against damage during handling,
transit and storage and ingress of foreign matter inside the pipes & fittings.
All fittings shall be securely packed in crates and boxes to prevent damage during
delivery. The cost of packing shall be deemed to be included in the Contract Rates
and crates will not be returned.
The Supplier shall provide necessary details to the shipping line on precautions to be
taken during loading/unloading, handling & transport of the pipes & fittings and
other components, in the sea. Supplier shall provide to the purchaser a set of
recommendations of manufacturer for handling, loading, unloading, transporting and
storing of polyethylene pipes and fittings.
All materials should be carefully inspected at the time of delivery and any defective
material set aside before accepting the delivery into stores. Any such defects should
be notified to the supplier immediately.
Materials and components shall be handled in such a manner as to avoid any damage
or contamination and in accordance with all applicable manufacturers
recommendations.
The recommendations for handling and storage of PE pipes shall have greater care in
the handling of PE 100 pipe coils too shall have greater care as of pipes of similar
wall thickness.
Polyethylene is a tough resilient material which is relatively light and easy to handle
although it is prone to damage through scoring by sharp objects. Therefore careful
handling is always required and the dragging of straight pipe and coils should be
avoided.
The maximum allowable depth of scoring of the external surface of the pipe is 5% of
the wall thickness. Pipes and fittings showing obvious defects or excessive scoring
should be withdrawn, clearly identified as unsuitable and, where appropriate,
returned to the source of supply.
As far as practicable the protective packaging (pallets, strapping, bags etc.) should be
kept intact until the material is required for use. The temporary capping or plugging
of pipe ends is recommended.
Pipes and fittings likely to be stored outside for periods longer than 12 months
should be covered by a tarpaulin or black polyethylene sheeting to prevent ultra
violet degradation from sunlight. Electro fusion fittings should be stored under cover
and in their protective packaging.
For hygiene purposes, the pipe ends must be protected from the ingress of dirt/water
etc. This protection should be carefully disposed of following use.
For transporting bulk loads, vehicles should be provided with a clean flat bed, free
from nails or other projections, which may cause damage. If high sided lorries are
used, special care must be taken to prevent slippage or excessive bowing of the pipes
and extra protection given at all sharp edges.
Metal chains or slings should not be brought into direct contact with the material.
Webbed slings of polypropylene or nylon are recommended. Straight pipes should
be fully supported and bound together. Pipes must not rest on the integral socket, if
one is incorporated.
When transporting 'pupped' fittings, these should not be loaded in a way that it could
distort the pupped end.
Both vertical and horizontal deliveries of coiled pipes are permissible, although in
the case of horizontal transportation special notification may be required for highway
authorities in respect of wide load regulations.
Following the quality control inspection and testing, caps or plugs are to be provided
to protect the jointing surfaces during transportation and storage. The finished and
protected pipes are then carefully packed into manageable units (bundles or coils)
prepared for shipments.
When lifting by crane, non metallic wide band slings or ropes should be used, and
for pipe lengths greater than 6m, load spreading beams of a length at least equivalent
to one quarter of the length of the pipe or bundle pack should be employed.
Chains or end hooks should not be used. Care should be taken to avoid damage to
pipes and pipe ends during lifting, particularly those pipes with couplers.
Some bending should be allowed for in the middle of the lift when loading and
unloading pipes and, because of this, lifting points should always be well spread and
evenly spaced.
Standard bundle packs, 6m long, may be handled by fork lift trucks but due
allowance should be made for the flexible nature of the pipes in the positioning of
the forks and the raising of the load.
Bundle packs greater than 6m long should be handled either by a side loader with a
minimum of four supporting forks, or by a crane using a spreader beam and suitable
slings. Individual pipes may be and led in the same way. Off-loading on site may be
made easier by using skid timbers and rope slings.
8.3.3 Fittings
Hooks should not be used to lift fittings which are generally supplied in cardboard
boxes or polyethylene bags.
Blue polyethylene pipe should preferably be stored under cover and protected from
direct sunlight until required for use. Where storage facilities necessitate the
material to be exposed externally, suitable good protective sheeting should be used.
All pipe stacks should be made on sufficiently firm, leveled ground and free from
stone to support the weight of the pipes and any necessary lifting equipment.
Stacking heights should be kept to a minimum and without exceeding the
NWSDB/SBD/SUP/PE/FC (5-25 Million) : Specifications 6 -9
DPC : PPC :- December 2010 Version 1
manufacturers recommendation and adequate space allocated for lifting machinery
to manoeuvre (more carefully and often with difficulty) without causing accidental
damage.
For safety and the convenience of handling, the stacking height for bundles should
not be more than 3 metres. To prevent possible deformation of the pipes, bundles
must be stored timber to timber.
The Bidder shall make arrangements to stack wrapped/bagged coils neatly on robust
pallets (free from projections), in Central Stores, conforming to the following
maximum stack heights.
Forklift trucks shall not be used to load and unload pipes except where coils are
neatly stacked on pallets or coils and are provided with slings.
For similar reasons, pipe coils should be stored flat and the number of coils per stack
should be limited to;
Where individual pipe lengths are stacked in pyramidal fashion, deformation may
occur in the lower layers, particularly in warm weather. Such stacks should therefore
be no more than 1 metre high. Socketed pipes should be stacked with the sockets at
alternate ends and with the sockets protruding to avoid uneven stacking which may
permanently distort the pipes.
Polyethylene fittings should be stored under cover, preferably on racking and in the
manufacturers protective wrapping or cartons which should be kept intact until the
fitting is required for use.
At all times pipes and fittings should be stored away from exhaust outlets and all
other high temperature sources. Care should also be taken to avoid contact with
lubricating or hydraulic oils, gasoline, solvents and other aggressive chemicals.
Bolts of the same length and size (and their accompanying nuts and washers) shall be
packed together in boxes not exceeding 100 kg. gross weight.
Joint rings and gaskets shall be packed in boxes and separate packages shall be
provided for each size and description of ring or gasket.
Each box and package therein shall be clearly labeled stating the number, size and
description of the contents.
The Contractor shall supply to the Engineer a certificate stating that each item
supplied has been subjected to the tests laid down herein and conforms in all respects
to this Specification or such other Specification which has been submitted to and
approved by the Engineer.
All pipes, fittings and accessories shall be manufactured in compliance with the ISO
9001:2008 quality management system standards for the manufacturing factory. In
addition to product quality control tests the manufacturers also must perform and
satisfy long term type tests to demonstrate long term performance of pipe as detailed
in relevant standards. Quality Management System Certification should be from an
organization accredited to issue such certification and the manufacturer shall have
this certification valid during the supply and delivery of the materials. Documentary
evidence regarding accreditation together with the scope of certification should be
provided.
The manufacturer shall operate a quality assurance scheme to (BS 5750 part 2), and
on award of order shall submit a copy of his quality assurance guidelines, as issued
to his production works sections. This shall include the following items, detailing the
frequency of quality assurance checking.
a. Raw Materials
i. Vetting and recording of certificates provided by the raw
material manufacturer (S).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NUMBER
1 Scope 6 - 14
2 Reference Standards 6 - 14
3 Definitions 6 - 15
4 Classification 6 - 15
5 Materials 6 - 15
8 Tolerances 6 - 24
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
1 Scope
This specification covers polyethylene pipes and associated fittings for the use of
cold drinking water.
2 Reference Standards
BSEN 1092-1-3 Flanges & their joints, circular flanges for pipes,
BSEN 1092-2-4 valves, fittings & accessories
PN designated
Part 1 : Steel flanges
Part 2 : Cast iron flanges
Part 3 : Copper alloy flanges
Part 4 : Aluminium alloy flanges
BSEN 1092-1:2007 Flanges & their joints circular flanges for pipes,
valves, fittings & accessories PN designated steel
flanges
NWSDB/SBD/SUP/PE/FC (5-25 Million) : Specifications 6 - 14
DPC : PPC :- December 2010 Version 1
BSEN ISO 12162:1996 Thermoplastics material for pipes and fittings for
pressure applications clarifications clarification and
designation overall service (design-co-efficient).
ISO 161-1 Thermo Plastic pipes for the transport of fluids
nominal out side diameter and nominal pressure
DIN 16963 1-15 series Pipes joints and elements for high Density
Polyethylene (PE) pressure pipe lines.
3. Definitions
The definitions given in the relevant standards which are referred to in the
specification, shall apply for the terms used in this specification.
4. Classification
4.1 The terms PE 100 are a classification developed in line with a decision taken at
CEN/TC 155, the European Technical Committee drafting plastics piping system
standards for polyethylene products for water supply.
Pipes and fittings shall be manufactured by using polyethylene as main raw material.
The raw material used in manufacturing process shall be of reputed suppliers and
comply with the following characteristics tabulated in Table 2 in Annex A.
All non-metallic materials supplied shall be in conformity with the BS 6920 Part
1 to 3:2000, BS 6920 Part 4:2001; suitability of non metallic products for use in
contact with water intended for human consumption with regard to their effect on the
quality of water or approved equivalent publication, as a recognized certifying
authority having passed full tests of effect on water quality under the requirements
for the testing of non-metallic materials for use in contact with potable water.
5.2 Pipes
Polyethylene pipes shall be flexible and in pipe form or coil form complying with
standards given in the reference standards in the document. Pipe jointing
methods shall be as follows.
Jointing Methods
5.3 Fittings
Fittings shall be suitable either for electro fusion or but welding as specified in the
Bill of quantities. All dimensions of electro fusion fittings must be fusible with one
fusion machine.
Class Description
Moulded Injection moulded fittings
Fabricated Fitting which are assembled using
butt-fusion joints
i. General
Metal and plastic fittings available for use with PE pipe are:
Polymeric coated Flanged and other adaptors
Mechanical type couplers c/w restrainer
The materials and constituent elements used in making the fitting (including
elastomers, greases and any metal parts) shall be as resistant to the external and
internal environments as the other elements of the piping system and shall have a life
expectancy under the following conditions as least equal to that of the PE pipe
confirming to EN 12201-3 or ISO 4427 with which they are intended to be used:
a) During storage :
b) Under the effect of the fluids being conveyed :
c) Taking account of the service environment and operating conditions.
The requirements for the level of material performance for non-polyethylene parts
shall be at least as stringent as that of the PE pipe systems.
All mechanical joints and fittings shall be of approved types designed specifically for
PE pipe system. They shall be supplied with all necessary coupling, rings, nuts,
bolts, washers, rubber rings/sealing gaskets and restrainers/stiffeners.
All mechanical joints, fittings and systems shall confirm to the requirements
specified in BS EN 12201-5/ISO 4427 of Table below as applicable.
Mechanical Joints
Couplings, flange adaptors etc shall be compatible with the pipes specified in item
4.1 hereof; together with following;
The physical properties of elastomeric joint rings shall comply with Table 2 of
EN 681-1:1996. The joint rings shall also comply with the relevant provisions in
Each joint ring shall be marked clearly and durably in accordance with the following
information in a manner that does not interfere with the sealing function of the ring,
in complying with clause 10 of EN 681-1:1996.
5.3.5 Flanges
Flanges for pipes and pipeline fittings shall unless otherwise stated comply with BS
4504: section 3.1: 1989 and BSEN 1092: Part 2: 1997. Flanges shall be of PN16
nominal pressure rating and shall be raised faced, unless otherwise stated.
Flanges in accordance with BSEN 545 and ISO 2531 are dimensionally compatible
with BS 4504: Section 3.1.
Flanged joints shall be complete with all nuts, bolts, gaskets and two washers per
bolt.
The flanges of all fittings shall be integrally cast. The flanges of flanged pipes shall
either be integrally cast or screwed or factory welded unless otherwise stated.
Factory welded means that the flanges are welded to the pipes at the point of
manufacture under factory conditions with inspection agency certification.
The Contractor shall be responsible for checking and ensuring that mating flanges
are compatible in all cases, including where connections are required to pipe work
and valves associated with pumping plant and inlet/outlet pipe work at service
reservoirs or other structures.
Steel Flange Converter shall be made out of polyethylene and shall conform to the
EN 12201-3:2003 & EN 12201-5:2003 specification for mechanical fittings and
joints including flanges for polyethylene pipes for conveyance of cold potable water
for the size range 90-1000 inclusive made of metal or plastics or a combination of
both.
Gaskets for flanged pipe joints shall be of the inside bolt circle type and the
dimensions shall comply with BSEN 1514-2:2005 Flanges and their joints.
Dimensions of gaskets for PN-designated flanges. Spiral wound gaskets for use with
steel flanges.
The physical properties of gaskets shall comply with BS 7874:1998 (Method of test
for microbiological deterioration of elastomeric seals for joints in pipework and
pipelines for effects on water quality and resistance to microbiological deterioration).
The Gaskets shall also comply with the relevant provisions in BS 7874:1998 for
effects on water quality and resistance to microbiological deterioration.
The Gasket material shall be EPDM/SBR and shall be of average hardness of 65-75.
The Gaskets shall be supplied by the manufacturer and shall suit for PN 16 flanges
unless otherwise stated.
Each gasket shall be marked clearly and durably in accordance with the following
information in a manner that does not interfere with the sealing function of the
gasket, in complying with clause 10 of EN 681-1:1996.
The nuts, bolts and washers for flanged joints shall be of high tensile steel and shall
comply with BS4395: Part 1 and 2: 1969.
The bolting shall comply with the relevant provisions of BS 4504: Section 3.1:1989.
The Bolt lengths shall be sufficient to ensure that nuts are full threaded when
tightened in their final position with two threads showing.
Two washers per each bolt shall be supplied for providing under the head of the bolt
and under the nut.
The bolts and nuts shall be hexagonal and shall be in accordance with BS 4190:2001
ISO metric black hexagon bolts, screws and nuts, Specification, the bolts, studs, nuts
and washers used shall be made of stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized carbon
steel coated with fusion bonded epoxy powder or polyamide 11 to the finished
thickness of coating between 75 m and 125 m according to WIS 4-52-03-1994. Cold
applied high solid epoxy shall be used to repair the damaged coatings on the bolts
and nuts after fastening.
5.4 Testing
Testing shall be carried out fully in accordance with the requirements of ISO 4427
and DIN 8075-1999 or equivalent standard acceptable to the purchaser.
Test parameters of physical and mechanical characteristics for pipes & fittings shall
be as indicated in Table 3, 4, 5, 6 in Annex B.
BSEN ISO 1167-1:2006 & for outside diameter & nominal pressures
BSEN ISO 1167-2:2006
DIN 16963 1-15 series Pipes joints and elements for high Density
Polyethylene (PE) pressure pipe lines.
7.1.1 Polyethylene are manufactured by various processes and are blended with anti-
oxidants, pigments and UV stabilizers to ensure the material is suitable for use in the
water industry. Amongst other factors, the range and quantities of co-monomers
used can result in substantially different basic properties, e.g. melt flow rate, density,
creep resistance etc.
The bidder shall submit full details of manufacturing process that he intended to
use with the bid.
7.2.1 The manufacture of PE pipe is a continuous processing which necessitates strict and
accurate control of both materials and plant to achieve the required quality. A range
of quality control tests pressures in the relevant standards should be applied within
the scope of a quality assurance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001: 2008.
production short term tests, to identify any variations in the plant function.
7.2.3 Essential short-term quality control tests and procedures are described in the relevant
Water Industry Specifications include the following
dimensions
thermal stability
elongation at break
7.3.2 In addition to 'production quality control' tests, there are a number of important
longer-term "Type Tests that must be undertaken to demonstrate the long-term
performance of the pipe. These tests are also required whenever there is any change
in such parameters as formulation, size, classification or processing technique.
7.3.3 These Type Tests are again detailed in the relevant specifications and include the
following:
resistance to weathering
7.3.4 Perhaps the most fundamental Type Test is the long term hydrostatic test which is a
standard means of predicting the long-term performance of the pipe. In this test,
samples are subjected different circumferential (hoop) stresses by pressurization and
the subsequent time to pressure is recorded. The individual results are plotted as a
log stress versus log time graph. They are then subjected to regression analysis to
obtain an extrapolated 50 year stress level.
7.3.5 It is worth bearing in mind that the above requirements for long-term performance
levels are minimum values and manufacturers usually ensure that their products can
comfortably meet these standards, i.e. the pipes have an additional factor of safety
built into them to cover any manufacturing variables.
8. Tolerances
Tolerances on wall thickness & weight, and length shall be in accordance with BS
ISO 11922 - 1: 1997 or DIN 8074 1999 or ISO 4427
The tolerances on flange thickness and flange diameter shall be in accordance with
BS4504: section 3.1:1989.
The tolerances on flange thickness, flange diameter and bolt holes in polyethylene
Steel flange converters to be used of connecting different type of material shall
conform to BS 4504:1989.
All pipes, fittings, valves and accessories shall conform to the specification at site.
Engineer shall carryout necessary inspections at site prior to final acceptance.
ii. Machine shall consist of self aligning frame and compact dimensions, to be
suitable for working on narrow roads.
iii. Machine shall comprised of four clamps in lightweight alloy of which the third
one is easily adjustable in order to weld special pieces, and the automatic
disconnecting devices to detach the pipes the heating mirror at the end of heating
time.
iv. Heating mirror shall be silver stone coated with electronic thermostat and
separate thermometer in order to continuously check the temperature of the
heating mirror. Operating electricity requirement of the heating mirror shall be
230V 50Hz.
Also it shall include removable electric facing tool complete with reducing gear, double
cutting edged blades, safety micro switch all which allow the engine to start only in
operating position.
ii. A support for facing tool and heating mirror suitable to carry the two part and to
hold them when it is not in use.
iii. Hydraulic double throw pump with precision pressure gauge (class 1.0-100 bar
scale and 100mm face to easy reading) incorporates a device which maintains
pre-set line pressure even when motor is not running. Allows continuous pressure
adjustments and features flexible hoses with quick disconnect dry-lock
couplings. Mounted in a tough protective frame, with two transport handles.
Operating electricity requirement is 230V 50Hz.
iv. Light weight aluminium reducing inserts (8 inserts per set including 6 inserts for
pipes and 2 inserts for fittings) sizes 200,225,250,280,315,355,400,450mm.
vi. Stub end device with size range 200 to 500 mm.
NWSDB/SBD/SUP/PE/FC : Specifications 6 - 26
CAPC : MPC : DPC :- December 2010 Version 1
ANNEX B
Elongation at break for > 350% Test piece shape speed of Type 2 EN ISO 6259-
e < mm test number of test pieces a 100 mm/min 1:2001 and ISO
shall confirm to EN 6259-3:1997
ISO 6259-1:2001
Elongation at break for > 350% Test piece shape speed of Type 1 b EN ISO 6259-
5 mm < e < 12 mm test number of test pieces a 50 mm/min 1:2001 and ISO
shall confirm to EN 6259-3:1997
ISO 6259-1:2001
Elongation at break for > 350% Test piece shape speed of Type 1 b EN ISO 6259-
e > 12 mm test number of test pieces a 25 mm/min 1:2001 and ISO
shall confirm to EN 6259-3:1997
ISO 6259-1:2001
OR
Test piece shape Type 3 b
Speed of test 10 mm/min
Number of test pieces a shall confirm to EN
ISO 6259-1:2001
Note : Loop of sling should be adequately long and strong for lifting the coil
Fig. 1 -