How to plan PE pressure systems

Handling

In employing PE materials, attention must always be paid to the fact that, beside all the advantages over conventional materials, there are also some disadvantages and therefore certain rules have to be followed. Just as in processes involving other materials, the use of plastic in pipe systems requires appropriate expertise and care. In contrast with conventional materials, the mechanical factors of PE are significantly affected by internal and external influences (e.g. medium and environmental temperatures).

In contrast to concrete or other materials employed in pipe construction, PE pipe systems possess a comparably small surface hardness, which is compensated by high flexibility and long life-span. A positive property worth mentioning is the good chemical resistance of PE against many aggressive media. Conventional pipe materials such as concrete are unsuitable.
Unlike conventionally employed materials, appropriate exploitation of the offered benefits yields more technical possibilities for solving numerous problems during installation. In most cases resolved in an uncomplicated manner.

The handling of plastic materials is relatively easy to learn, but basic manual training is nevertheless beneficial.

The following rules for handling are to be observed when working with PE pipes:
- Pipes are to be transported in appropriate vehicles and carefully loaded and unloaded.
- During transport, they should not be exposed to impact loads.
- Surfaces are to be protected against mechanical influences and their effects (such as grooves, scratches, notches and the like).
- Storage should occur in such a manner that the products are not exposed to the effects of heat, solar radiation, UV radiation or other adverse atmospheric and/or environmental influences for any length of time.
- The products should not be soiled any more than is necessary. The supporting surfaces for the pipes and fittings must remain free of stones and level under all conditions.
- Deformations of the pipes can be prevented by restricting stacking heights. As a rule, do not stack PE pipes higher than 1 meter.

Back to main page 'How to plan PE pressure systems'