How to Use and Manage
The UPVC Pipes
In The Sewer Projects
UPVC Pipes:
UPVC is an abbreviation for (Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride). Usually, it comes in gray color, but sometimes it comes in white or blue color. For installing these pipes, we use a glue (or adhesives).
The Sewer Contractor in Saudi Arabia and in the rest of the world uses these pipes for sewerage water, below the ground surface and inside buildings. Its piping system does not allow any leakage of sewage water and thus prevent the harmful bacteria and diseases to infiltrate in the air. Also, it does not interact with the material who contaminates soil or acidity or wastewater or sewage that passes through it. In addition, the soft leveled surface of these pipes allows water to flow better by reducing the number of barriers to the greatest extent possible.
What do we need to provide if we want to use UPVC pipes in a sewer project?
1) Factory drawing and diagrams:
The Contractor shall provide the general specifications for pipes, such as factory drawings and specifications to the responsible engineer for reviewing them. The drawings must show their measurements, fittings and other details.
2) UPVC pipes and accessories:
The polyvinyl chloride pipes and its accessories must conform to the required specifications in each country and the latest amendments where they exist. The pipes must be homogeneous and free of any cracks or holes, or any visible defects, and should be consistent in color, capacity, density and all other physical properties.
Installing and testing of the pipes must be done according to manufacturer specifications, which must be compatible with international standards.
3) Handling products:
A) Handling and storage of all pipes should be according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
B) The contractor must store the pipes away from sharp ridges and stones that could lead to distortion of the pipes.
C) The side beams which are used for storage must be made of wooden columns not less than 75 mm in width. It must be placed at distances of no more than 1.5 meter from the pipe length. Each set of pipes should not be stacked on each other for a height more than 3 meters.
D) Each set of stacked pipes should not reach more than four layers or one meter in height, whichever is less.
E) Store different sizes and thickness of pipes separately.
F) Store pipe's accessories in the shade, and preferably place it in boxes to allow free passage of air.
4) UPVC Joints:
A) For pipes which may reach up to 50 mm in diameter, it must be installed with solvent cement connections, and must be prepared under the specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials 2564 (ASTM).
B) For all pipes and installation accessories for diameter 73 mm or greater, the pipes' links should be (heads and tails) type with flexible sealant rings.
C) For installing of all pipes and accessories with diameter 63 mm or larger should be with flanges.
D) The glue that is used for cement solvent joints, must conform to the specifications of the American Society for Testing Materials 2564 ASTM, or to conform to specifications of a similar standard.
5) Testing and inspection:
The engineer in command should conduct a testing for all pipe's units randomly, and depending on the specifications and standards used in his country. All tests must follow the latest requirements of the ASTM and must be done in the presence of the engineer, unless approved otherwise.
Testing and inspection can be made during manufacturing process or after receipt of material or during both phases. The engineer has the right to reject the pipes in any time if it did not comply with the specifications, even if it has been accepted already during manufacturing. The contractor should immediately dispose the rejected pipes and carry it outside the site.
6) Implementation:
A) Site Inspection: The contractor must inspect all the products concerning any damage before he starts the installation process. You must repair or remove and replace any damaged product from the site which does not comply with the specifications.
B) Installation of pipes: Installing of pipes goes through the following steps.
1) Lay down all the pipes into the trenches carefully.
2) Take all the necessary precautions to prevent any foreign substances from entering the pipes while it is placed.
3) Lay down the full-length of each pipe on a bed of gravel.
4) Close the open ends of the pipes for the (unfinished work) everyday with blocks or wood barriers.
5) Cut the pipes to insert the valves or the fittings tightly without causing any damage to the pipe.
6) Store all the rubber rings on hanging receptacles and not exposed to heat or sunlight.
7) Install the pipes according to manufacturer's instructions.
8) There should be no gaps between thrust blocks pipes and UPVC pipes, and pipes next to thrust concrete blocks should be wrapped by a tape to prevent corrosion.
9) Uncolored PVC elbows and long radius pipes should be made from pipes that have a class higher than the class of the straight pipes installed in the network. If the pipes are made from class (5) then Short-radius cast elbows should be used.
10) The lubrication oil used for joints should be made from (plant soap) provided by the manufacturer of the pipes, other oils or grease is not allowed to be used or contacted with the sealing of the rubber rings.
7) Bedding and backfill around the pipes:
1) Bedding is a layer prepared from granular materials (gravel), which the work of a supporting layer under the body of the pipe.
2) The bedding layer under the body of the pipe should provide a regular supporting layer to ensure the pressure is spread on the bedding against external loads. Also it must provide extra resistance force to the pipe in resisting the external loads.
3) Plastic pipe's bedding is made up of a granular layer with depth of at least100 mm, and the size of the gravel is from 10 to 15 mm.
4) Backfill around the pipe must be to the distance of 300 mm above the pipe, filled with selected material such as sand, and are compacted to 95% of the maximum dry density.
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