SURREY, England — Dec. 7, 2015 —The British Plastic Federation’s (BPF) Pipes Group is calling on the water industry to adopt a new standard for the fusion jointing of polyethylene (PE) pressure pipeline systems, according to a press release.
The BPF Pipes Group said last week that it has worked with industry body Water UK to update WIS 4-32-08, which was last published in 2002, to ensure it remains relevant to the demands of today’s water applications, noted the release. The draft specification is now fully aligned with European standards used for the manufacturing and purchasing of PE pipes.
Announcing the proposed new standard, the BPF Pipes Group said that in all pipeline construction the integrity of the joint between pipe lengths and ancillaries is vital to ensuring that a new pipeline does not leak, stated the release. WIS 4-32-08 — known as ‘Specification for the fusion jointing of polyethylene pressure pipeline systems using PE 80 and PE 100 materials’ — is designed to provide clear and detailed guidance on the jointing of PE pipes, supporting the water industry’s desire to move towards achieving zero leakage.
The BPF Pipes Group has urged water companies to actively review the draft standard and work with partners to prepare for the improvements it will deliver.
“It is vital that the entire supply chain works together to adopt best practice in jointing of PE pipe water mains to deliver the improvements needed to achieve zero leakage,” said Dominic O’Sullivan, chair of the BPF Pipes Group’s pressure pipes and fittings working group, in the release. “This collaboration between the BPF Pipes Group and Water UK demonstrates the commitment to ongoing improvements which will ultimately increase confidence in jointing.”
You can find the entire release here.
