Standards Development

Scope

This document specifies the characteristics of pipes made from polyethylene (PE) for buried or above ground applications, intended for the conveyance of:

—     water for human consumption;

—     raw water prior to treatment;

—     drains and sewers under pressure;

—     vacuum sewer systems;

—     water for irrigation;

—     water for other purposes, with the exception of industrial applications.

The intended uses include sea outfalls, laid in water and suspended below bridges.

NOTE 1 Attention is drawn to 6.3 of this document for PE components for the conveyance of water intended for human consumption and raw water prior to treatment. Components manufactured for water for other purposes, drains and sewers, and vacuum sewer systems are possibly not suitable for water supply for human consumption.

NOTE 2 Additional information related to the installation of PE 100-RC systems is given in ISO 4427-1.

PE pipe systems for industrial applications and irrigation with limited pressure exposure are not covered by this document.

NOTE 3 Industrial application is covered by ISO 15494[4], irrigation with limited pressure exposure is covered by ISO 8779[5].

For use in contaminated soils special consideration shall be taken for pipes intended for the transport of water intended for human consumption or raw water prior to treatment.

NOTE 4 Pipes with barrier layers are not covered by this document. ISO 21004[6] provides an alternative solution for use in contaminated soils.

This document also specifies the test parameters for the test methods referred to in this document.

In conjunction with ISO/DIS 4427-1, ISO/DIS 4427-3, and ISO/DIS 4427-5, this document is applicable to PE pipes, their joints and to joints with components made of PE and other materials, intended to be used under the following conditions:

a)       allowable operating pressure (PFA) up to and including 25 bar[1)];

b)       an operating temperature of 20 °C as the reference temperature.

For applications operating at constant temperatures greater than 20 °C and up to and including 50 °C, see Annex A of ISO/DIS 4427-1.

The ISO 4427 series cover a range of allowable operating pressures and gives requirements concerning colours.

This document is applicable to three types of pipes:

—     PE pipes (outside diameter dn), including any identification stripe;

—     PE pipes with co-extruded layers on either or both the outside and/or inside of the pipe (total outside diameter dn) as specified in Annex A, where all layers have the same MRS rating;

—     PE pipes (outside diameter dn) with a peelable and contiguous thermoplastics additional layer on the outside of the pipe (“coated pipe”) as specified in Annex B.

It is the responsibility of the purchaser or specifier to make the appropriate selections from these aspects, taking into account their particular requirements and any relevant national guidance or regulations and installation practices or codes.