255.281 - Plastic pipe

 

(a)  A plastic pipe joint that is joined by solvent cement, adhesive, or heat fusion may not be disturbed until it has properly set.

(b)  Plastic pipe may not be joined by a threaded joint or miter joint.

(c)  The quality of the joints shall be checked visually. If there is any reason to believe the joint is defective, it shall be removed and replaced.

(d)  Each solvent cement joint on plastic pipe must comply with the following criteria:

(1)  The mating surfaces of the joint must be clean, dry, and free of material which might be detrimental to the joint.

(2)  The solvent cement must conform to ASTM D2564 (as described in section 10.3 of this Title).

(3)  The joint may not be heated to accelerate the setting of the cement.

(e)  Each heat-fusion joint on a polyethylene (PE) pipe or component, except for electrofusion joints, must comply with ASTM F2620 (as described in Section 10.3 of this Title) or an alternative written procedure that has been demonstrated to provide an equivalent or superior level of safety and has been proven by test or experience to produce strong gas tight joints,and the following criteria.

(1)  A butt heat-fusion joint must be joined by a device that holds the heater element square to the ends of the pipe or component, compresses the heated ends together, and holds the piping in proper alignment in accordance with the appropriate procedure qualified under section 255.283 of this Part.

(2)  A socket heat-fusion joint must be joined by a device that heats the mating surfaces of the pipe or component, uniformly and simultaneously to establish the same temperature. The device used must be the same device specified in the operator’s joining procedure for socket fusion.

(3)  An electrofusion joint must be made using the equipment and techniques prescribed by the fittings manufacturer or equipment and techniques shown, by testing joints to the requirements of section 255.283(a)(1)(iii) of this Part, to be equivalent or better than the requirements of the fitting manufacturer.

(4)  Heat may not be applied with a torch or other open flame.

(f)  Each adhesive joint on plastic pipe must comply with the following criteria:

(1)  The adhesive must conform to ASTM Specification D2517 (as described in Section 10.3 of this Title).

(2)  The materials and adhesive must be compatible with each other.

(g)  Each compression type mechanical joint on plastic pipe must comply with the following criteria:

(1)  The gasket material in the coupling must be compatible with the plastic.

(2)  A rigid internal tubular stiffener, other than a split tubular stiffener, must be used in conjunction with the coupling.

(3)  All mechanical fittings must meet a listed specification based upon the applicable material.

(4)  All mechanical joints or fitting installed after January 22, 2019, must be Category 1 as defined by a listed specification for the applicable material, providing a seal plus resistance to a force on the pipe joint equal to or greater than that which will cause no less than 25 percent elongation of pipe, or the pipe fails outside the joint area if tested in accordance with the applicable standard.