Locating, Leak Testing, and Joining

Locating
Most polyethylene materials are not detectable with standard magnetic locating equipment. When installing PE piping, methods for future pipeline detection should be considered. Underground locating agencies should always be contacted before the start of any underground installation work such as excavation, trenching or directional drilling

Leak Testing
Polyethylene pipe may be hydrostatically tested or pneumatically tested to determine system integrity for leaks. When testing is required, observe all safety measures, especially if using pressurized gas as the test medium. Consideration is given to restraining the pipe against movement in the event of catastrophic failure, observing limitations of temperature, test pressure, test duration and procedures for making repairs. Performance Pipe’s hydrostatic leak testing procedure Technical Note 802 is available on the website under Engineering Information. Also see ASTM F2786 Field Leak Testing of Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Piping Systems Using Gaseous Media Under Pressure (Pneumatic Leak Testing) for additional guidance.

Joining
Driscoplex® 6400 series pipe and fittings may be joined using Performance Pipe’s Bulletin PP-750 Heat Fusion Joining Procedures and Qualification Guide. Other joining procedure guidance for butt and saddle fusion of polyethylene piping products is available at ASTM F2620 Standard Practice for Heat Fusion Joining of Polyethylene Pipe and Fittings. ASTM F2620 also provides guidance on visual field quality assurance tests. Data Loggers for fusion equipment are also available to provide additional quality assurance. ASTM F2620 also provides guidance for conducting bendback destructive testing for pipes with wall thicknesses less than 1 inch thick. Pipes with a wall thickness equal to 1 inch require special considerations for destructive testing and the fusion equipment manufacturer or Performance Pipe should be consulted if destructive testing is required.