ISO/TC 138/SC 4/WG 2 - Fusion of PE Pipe Systems

This document presents a code of practice dealing with polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings for buried pipeline systems outside buildings, conforming to the ISO 4437 series, and designed to transport gaseous fuels [as defined in ISO 4437-1, e.g. methane, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), manufactured gas and hydrogen] within the temperature range –20 °C to +40 °C. This document also gives appropriate temperature-related requirements. The code of practice covers mains and service lines whose components are prepared for fusion or mechanical jointing. It also gives instructions for the design, storage, handling, transportation, laying conditions and fusion quality control of PE pipes and fittings as well as subsequent joint testing, backfilling, pipe system testing and commissioning. NOTE For the renovation code of practice, reference is made to the ISO 11299 series and to ISO 11295 for classification and to the ISO 21225 series for further information for trenchless replacement. The minimal requirements for the jointing methods are given in: — Annex A (butt fusion); — Annex B (electrofusion); and — Annex C (mechanical jointing). In some countries the use of heated-tools socket and saddle fusion is permitted; information on heated-tools fusion jointing techniques is given in Annex D. In the case of ground movement or shaking (e.g. earthquakes, etc.) it can be necessary to implement precautions mentioned in this document following guidelines provided by authorities (e.g. Eurocode 8,[7] EN 12007-1:2012, Annex A,[8] etc.), Workers' health and safety issues are outside the scope of this document.

This document specifies an encoding system for data of components, assembly methods and jointing operations for polyethylene (PE) piping systems for gas, water and other industrial applications. These data can be used in a traceability system and/or used to perform the fusion of components by using equipment as specified in ISO 12176‑1 and in ISO 12176‑2. This encoding system is explained in ISO/IEC 16022, ISO/IEC 18004 and ISO/IEC 24778 which refer to established code types, e.g. QR code. Data to be encoded are: fusion cycle(s), traceability of manufactured products, other manufacturer’s information that can also be given on websites such as voluntary certificates of quality and approvals. This document specifies the export of data (type, format and sequence) from a data retrieval system. Provisions of this document are applicable to polyethylene components conforming to ISO 4427‑2, ISO 4427‑3, ISO 4437‑2, ISO 4437‑3, ISO 4437‑4 and ISO 15494, and can also be applicable to any other components used in PE systems. ISO 13950 and ISO 12176‑4, which partly cover the fields of application of this document, can be used in parallel.

ISO 12176-1:2017 specifies the general characteristics of, and performance requirements for, equipment for butt fusion jointing of polyethylene (PE) piping systems using electrically powered heater plates. ISO 12176-1:2017 is applicable to mechanical and pressure-activated equipment for butt fusion jointing of PE pipes and fittings either intended to be used for the supply of gaseous fuels, conforming to ISO 4437‑2[1] and ISO 4437‑3[2], or intended for the conveyance of water for human consumption (including raw water prior to treatment) and for the conveyance of water for general purposes, conforming to ISO 4427‑2[3] and ISO 4427‑3[4]. Butt fusion machines with an automatic controller are subject to additional requirements as given in Annex A. NOTE This document is also applicable to butt fusion machines for larger nominal pipe diameters and nominal wall thicknesses than given in this document.

ISO 12176-3:2011 describes the format and the contents of a fusion operator's badge, which is used during the construction of polyethylene (PE) piping systems for the supply of gaseous fuels or water to identify the fusion operator and to activate or deactivate the fusion-jointing equipment. The objective of ISO 12176-3:2011 is to achieve international interoperability between the operator's badge and the card-reading equipment of fusion-jointing equipment conforming to ISO 12176‑1 or ISO 12176‑2. The fusion-jointing equipment is required to read either the bar code or the magnetic-stripe code of the badge and to call up the corresponding data within the equipment in a standard format.

ISO 12176-2:2008 specifies performance requirements for electrofusion control units for use with polyethylene (PE) electrofusion fittings for the supply of gaseous fuels or for the conveyance of water for human consumption, including raw water prior to treatment and for the conveyance of water for general purpose or other fluids. The control units are divided into three input voltage classes: SVLV [safety, very low voltage (up to 50 V)], LV [low voltage (50 V to 250 V)] and HV [higher voltage (250 V to 400 V)]. ISO 12176-2:2008 is applicable to electrofusion control units designed for use in the construction of joints between PE pipes and fittings conforming to International Standards for the supply of gaseous fuels or for the conveyance of water, where the normal operating temperature of the control unit is in the range -10 °C to + 40 °C. If temperatures outside this range are expected, suitable operating limits are subject to agreement between manufacturer and purchaser. ISO 12176-2:2008 is applicable to control units with current or voltage control for fitting systems based on standard resistance wire heating technology.

ISO/TR 19480:2005 gives guidance and other provisions for the training, assessment and approval of fusion operators, with the aim of establishing and maintaining their competency in the construction of polyethylene (PE) piping systems for the supply of gaseous fuels in accordance with ISO 10839, for the supply of water, or in the construction of such systems used in other pressure applications. It covers the butt fusion, electrofusion and socket fusion jointing techniques and considers both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to enable high-quality fusion joints to be produced.

ISO 12176-4:2003 specifies an encoding system for data on components, assembly methods and jointing operations for polyethylene (PE) piping systems for gas supply, for use in a traceability system. Reading of the codes can be carried out using alphanumeric or numeric data-recognition systems such as bar-code, magnetic-stripe card or microchip card readers. This part of ISO 12176 is applicable to PE pipes, fittings and valves conforming to ISO standards for gas supply piping systems and also to the assembly operation utilizing methods such as fusion using a heating tool (butt, socket and saddle fusion), electrofusion (socket and saddle fusion), induction fusion and mechanical jointing.

ISO 12176-1:2006 specifies the general characteristics of, and performance requirements for, equipment for butt fusion jointing of polyethylene (PE) piping systems using electric heaters. It is applicable to mechanical and pressure-activated equipment for butt fusion jointing PE pipes and fittings either intended to be used for the supply of gaseous fuels, conforming to ISO 4437 and ISO 8085-2, or intended for the conveyance of water for human consumption (including raw water prior to treatment) and for the conveyance of water for general purposes, conforming to ISO 4427-2 and ISO 4427-3.

ISO 12176-3:2006 describes the format and the contents of a fusion operator's badge, which is used during the construction of polyethylene (PE) piping systems for the supply of gaseous fuels or water to identify the fusion operator and to activate or deactivate the fusion-jointing equipment. The objective of this part of ISO 12176 is to achieve international interoperability between the operator's badge and the card-reading equipment of fusion-jointing equipment conforming to ISO 12176-1 or ISO 12176-2.