Potable Water Distribution Line Design 1

[cuzisthe1]

I must repair a 4" HDPE water line and am wondering if there are any reguations/specifications/procedures that I could use to develop a scope and procedure to facilitate this work?

 

[Ag93]

cuzisthe1,

If you are located in the US. Check out our website at :

http://www.performancepipe.com

We used to be Driscopipe and Plexco, now we are Performance Pipe a division of Chevron Phillips. You can find a listing of our distributors by state here:

http://www.cpchem.com/performancepipe/contacts/MunicipalDistributors/munidistributors.asp

They should be able to answer any questions you may have regarding HDPE.

As far as the repair is concerned you have several options for repair. The best method for repairing HDPE is to fuse it, either conventionally (via fusion machine) or electrofusion. In either case you will need to be able to completely shut off the flow in your line, it needs to be dry.

The other option is using mechanical fittings for the repair, as mentioned above the best connection is a fused connection (ZERO leak). There are many fitting manufactures that have developed products specifically for HDPE. JCM, Smith Blair, Romac to name a few. You will want to make sure that the fitting is restrained and will not allow the HDPE to "pull out" due to poisson effects, thermal changes, etc.

Good luck with the repair. Hope I've got you going in the right direction.

 

[cuzisthe1]

AG,
Thanks, I found some very helpful information in the material. I have one other question.

Any suggestions for connections that need to be made underwater. this line carries water between two islands and the break location is too close to the shoreline to be able to facilitate the repair above the water line.

I plan to use a dresser coupling device, unless I find something better.

 

[Ag93]

cuzisthe1,

Wow, interesting repair. If a repair is being made under water, the only real option is mechanical fitting. Depending on the DR you may need a stiffner inside the HDPE pipe. This will prevent the pipe from toe-ing in and allow for restraint.

Again, make sure that the fitting is a "restrained fitting" and that it actually grabs onto the HDPE otherwise it may pull out. Some of the manufactures acheive this restraint by encorporating a full circle "grip ring" into their designs. Stay away from point loading the pipe (screw type restraints).

I would recommend checking with the mechanical mfgs listed above for more details, they should be able to tell you whether a stiffner is required or not. If it is a heavy DR like 9, they may not require the use of the stiffner.

Good luck.