Buyer’s Acceptance Of Materials:

The person responsible for receiving the pipe should always carefully inspect as much of the pipe as possible before unloading. The receiver should look for transportation damage such as a shift in the load, tie-down straps overtightened, or signs of rough treatment. LTL (less than truckload) pipe shipments that arrive in a closed trailer should be checked as soon as the trailer is opened. Make sure that the pipe has not been uploaded with metallic piping, crates, machinery, or any other objects that might crush or impact the plastic pipe. The ends of the pipe should be visually inspected for cracks, cuts, gouges, or heavy decorations. In some cases, especially for large-diameter pipes 4″ and above, it would be advisable to inspect the bore of the pipes for internal cracks or splits that may have occurred as a result of loading or transportation. The use of a strong flashlight may be necessary to inspect the inside diameter beyond the ends of the pipe. Any and all damages should be witnessed by the truck driver and clearly noted on the transportation documentation with a copy retained by the receiver. The carrier and Eslon should be immediately notified of any damages missing pipes, or items incorrectly shipped.

After the pipe has been thoroughly inspected and inventoried, it should be unloaded with reasonable care and effort. The person receiving the pipe must decide the means by which the pipe is unloaded and is responsible for any damages that occur during the unloading process. Never push or drag a palletized load of pipe from a truck bed. Pipe should not come into severe contact with sharp objects such as corners of truck beds, loading docks and buildings, forks on forklift trucks, and rocks or other objects on the ground. Forklift forks must never be inserted into the ends of the pipe as a means of lifting or moving.

The impact resistance and flexibility of PVC and especially CPVC pipe are reduced by lower temperature conditions. The impact strength for both types of piping materials will decrease as temperatures approach 32°F (0°C) and below. Extreme care should be taken when unloading and handling pipe in cold weather. Dropping pipe from a truck or forklift can cause damage. Methods and techniques normally used in warm weather may not be acceptable at the lower temperature range.

Pipe Storage:

Indoor storage of pipe is recommended but may not always be convenient. Therefore, when storing pipe outdoors, choose a flat, dry location that will minimize dirt and foreign matter accumulation in the bore and belled end. The palletized pipe should be stacked with wooden pallet bracings touching each other. Stack height will depend on the pipe diameter, the slope of the terrain, and the weather conditions. As a general precaution, palletized pipe should not be stacked higher than eight feet. This should be determined and approved by the site engineer or responsible management official. Loose pipe lengths should be stored in racks or dunnage that will evenly support the pipe to prevent longitudinal sag. If the pipe is not well supported, especially in warmer weather, it will become permanently bowed and will be difficult to install. The pipe must be protected from the sun and extreme heat. Protect the pipe by covering it with an opaque tarp, leaving the ends open to allow for air circulation through and around the pipe. When the pipe is not protected from the sun, extended exposure to ultraviolet rays will cause discoloration. The amount of time in years necessary to cause this will vary with the geographic location and the orientation of the pipe to the sun.

Fitting Storage:

The person responsible for receiving the fittings should take an accurate count of the incoming order and report any discrepancies to Eslon and the carrier. Fittings packaged in damaged boxes should be closely inspected. Store fittings in their original packaging. If they must be removed from their boxes, separate them by material type (PVC vs. CPVC), geometric configuration, and diameter size. Never combine your plastic fitting inventory with metallic materials. Avoid storing fittings near an open flame or source of extreme heat.

Solvent Cement Welding

This method of joining is very simple and reliable if it is followed correctly, but any deviations from the recommended basic steps may reduce the strength and integrity of the joint. The procedures for preparation, insertion, and curing should be followed very carefully.

Expansion And Contraction

The coefficient of linear expansion of PVC and CPVC pipe is greater than that of metallic piping; therefore, take this factor into consideration when designing and installing a PVC or CPVC piping system.

Hanging And Supporting

The modulus of elasticity of PVC and CPVC pipes is smaller than that of metal pipes. Maximum working temperature and room temperature should be considered when determining the required support spacing.

Trench Preparation

When laying PVC and CPVC pipe below the ground, care should be taken to remove all rocks, boards, empty primer and cement cans, brushes, bottles and other debris from the trench. Smaller diameters of pipe should be “snaked” in the trench to allow for expansion and contraction. If solvent cement welding is used for the method of joining, snaking, pressure testing, and pipe movement should not be done until after the joints have been given sufficient time to dry.

Avoid Bending Pipe

The pipe should not be bent in trenches or in above-ground installations. Pipes and joints that are stressed can reduce pressure rating and cause failures.

Protect Plastic Pipe From Contact With Hard And Pointed Objects

Impact resistance is lower than for metals. The use of compressed air or gas in PVC/CPVC pipe and fittings can result in explosive failures and cause severe injury or death.

Testing

7.1 NEVER use compressed air, gas, or air-over-water boosters to pressure test PVC or CPVC piping systems. ONLY hydrostatic pressure testing is to be conducted on PVC and CPVC piping systems. Compressed air or gases can surge to high pressures and cause explosive failures that could seriously injure personnel.

7.2 Carefully follow all instructions for hydrostatic pressure testing. Failure to follow these instructions can result in a system failure.

7.3 Before water-testing a system, always bleed all entrapped air from the system. Entrapped air is a major cause of surge and burst failure in plastic piping systems.