KNOW YOUR STANDARDS

A brief guide to key standards in plastic sewerage systems

The importance of EN standards cannot be underestimated. As well as specifying exact product characteristics, they also define the necessary tests to gain approval. Both ensure repeatability and consistent quality in application. Here XXX of TEPPFA provides a summary guide to the key standards relating to plastic pipes in waste discharge and sewerage applications.

If you’re involved in specification of plastic pipes in sewerage and drainage systems, EN standards provide the necessary assurance and peace of mind. With clear guidance on application, they also help in specifying the right products and eliminating risk, and that’s why reputable organisations such as The European Pipes and Plastics Fittings Association (TEPPFA) take them so seriously. EN certification guarantees a high level of consistent performance and quality, which is why TEPPFA ensures all of its members comply fully with the requirements.

But what’s involved?
To gain accreditation, a manufacturer’s product will have been subject to a rigorous series of tests and validation to ensure compliance with the standard. These include ‘type’ testing of the raw materials, as well as verification by an independent laboratory service. The manufacturer is also expected to keep detailed documentation of processes, which must always be available for independent scrutiny. Finally, regular independent batch audits are undertaken by an approved inspection body and testing laboratory who apply a range of random tests, including for internal pressure, ring stiffness, thermal stability and even appearance and colour. This means that engineers can be confident in the quality of their specification – a vital consideration in the overall performance of the sewer or drainage systems.

While there are hundreds of standards relating to plastic pipes and fitting used in the sewerage industry, here are the key ones and a brief summary of what they cover.

EN 1329 PVC-U SOIL AND WASTE SYSTEMS FOR BUILDINGS
This covers plastics piping systems for soil and waste discharge (low and high temperature) within the building structure ― unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U). It includes 32, 40 and 50 mm pipes used inside, and 75,110,125 and 160 mm pipes used inside and beneath the building structure. All components are tested extensively, including for air and water tightness.

EN 1852 PP UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS
This relates to 110-1600mm plastics pipes, fitting and systems for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage, both outside and buried underground inside the building structure. Specific requirements for the standard include resistance to combined temperature cycling and external loading, while regular audit tests measure hydrostatic strength and the tightness of elastomeric sealing ring joints.

EN 1451 PP SOIL AND WASTE SYSTEMS FOR BUILDINGS
Dealing specifically with plastic piping systems inside the building structure, this standard applies to 32 -315 mm pipes used in low and high temperature soil and waste discharge. In addition to the product specification, additional tests are made on the flexibility or mechanical strength of fabricated fittings, and resistance to both impact and combined temperature cycling and external loading. The product is regularly audited against a number of measures including thermal stability.

EN 1401 PVC-U UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS
Applying to pipes and fittings buried underground either within or outside the building structure, this standard covers ring stiffness from SN2 to SN8 and pipe diameters from Ø110 to 1000mm. The material must be of high quality, while impact resistance testing can be carried out at 0 °C. Additionally, the tightness of elastomeric sealing ring joints is tested in pipes where the socket and spigot are deformed by 10% and15%.

EN 12201 PE PIPING SYSTEMS FOR WATER SUPPLY AND FOR DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
This covers blue and black PE80 and PE100 pipes and fittings designed to carry drinking water, drainage and sewerage under pressure. It includes above ground and buried applications – including laid in water -and in sizes up to 1600 mm. The permissible operating pressure is up to 25 bar with a reference temperature of 20°C. The pipes must be manufactured from a certified PE-resin to comply with hygiene standards and maintain the quality of drinking water.

EN 13476 NON-PRESSURE UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
This covers structured-wall piping systems used in non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage systems. Representing new developments in pipe design - e.g. multilayer, corrugated and twin wall – the standard includes a wide range of pipe and fitting sizes, as well as a variety of stiffness, application and tolerance classes. Specific tests are applied for the tightness of elastomeric sealing ring joints under deformation up to 15%, as well as resistance to combined temperature cycling and external loading.

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