P.E.S Technical Instruction

Introduction

Installation of pipes is started after delivery of pipes, fittings and other necessary tools. Pipes are then assembled and installed. In the next stage, the pipeline is tested and prepared for operation. Inspection and test stages are considered during installation to ensure the quality and correct functioning of the system.

Transportation and storage

The most important stage is inspection of received goods. Are the received goods same as ordered ones? Then the quality of goods is evaluated to detect damages during transportation. The pipe is then ready for piping and installation.

PE pipes and fittings are usually transported by trucks. Transportation companies are responsible for protecting the goods from the moment of leaving the factory to the delivery.

Packaging

Depending on diameter, PE pipes are transported as coils or branches. Branch pipes up to a diameter of 250 mm are packaged as bundle at customer’s request. While transporting the pipes, they should be horizontally placed on the truck floor to prevent movement and collision, especially in cold months.

Discharge of goods

The discharge and storage area of the pipes should be flat and there should be sufficient space for the movement of trucks and lifting and discharging machines. Reliable lifting and discharging machines should be used to discharge trucks. The pipes should not be never discharged from trucks by throwing or rolling.

Despite the lighter weight of PE pipes than metal and concrete pipes, PE pipes with large diameters are heavy, so suitable discharge machines should be carefully selected.

Note: Pipes should be discharged and displaced carefully. Inaccuracies may cause damages to goods, transportation machinery and more importantly health of staff. So only trained and skilled staff are recommended to discharge the pipes and uninvolved people should not attend the discharge area.

Storage before piping

The storage area of the pipes is proportional to the number of pipes. To prevent damage to the pipes, the storage area should be flat and free of sharp objects such as nails, metal or stone. During storage, the contact of pipes with chemicals such as oil, gasoline and other organic solvent should be prevented. Both pipe ends should be closed to prevent entry of dust, water and animals.

A maximum height of 1m is recommended to prevent pipe deformation. Pipe coils are recommended to be laid out horizontally. Packaging strips should be removed before using the pipes.

No specific interval has been specified in existing standards for storing pipes in open spaces. According to European guidelines, pipes used in water and wastewater industry are not recommended to be stored for more than 1 year in open spaces. In the case of long-time storage of pipes in open spaces, the pipes should be protected from direct sunlight.

One or two welding tests are recommended to be performed on pipes stored for long time to evaluate the quality of pipes. Furthermore, during long-term storage, the pipes should not be dragged on the floor for transporting the pipes to the piping site because of possible scratches on the pipe surface. The permissible scratch depth of 10% of the pipe wall thickness on the pipes surface should not exceed 1 mm.