The European Committee for Standardization (CEN, Brussels / Belgium; www.cen.eu) has published its first national standard for oriented unplasticised PVC-O pressure pipes. Initiated by The European Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (TEPPFA, Brussels / Belgium; www.teppfa.eu), the new five-part standard EN17176 is said to have taken four years of “extensive” development to create.

It gives a specification for PVC-O piping systems intended for water supply, pressurised (up to 25 bar) drainage, sewerage, treated waste water and irrigation systems, either under- or above-ground where protected from direct sunlight. It also applies to drinking water piping systems under pressure, up to and including 45°C.

Monica de la Cruz, chair of CEN/TC 155, the European standardisation committee for plastic piping systems and ducting systems, said the standard will provide reassurance to specifiers that PVC-O pipes and fittings defined within the standard are of a good quality and fit for their designed purpose.

According to TEPPFA, although molecularly oriented PVC pipes have been used for some time, it has been difficult to produce them efficiently and in sufficiently high volumes. However, manufacturers have recently managed to develop a technique that increases the diameter of the preform and reorientates the PVC molecules to achieve biaxially oriented PVC-O. This means that PVC-O pipes are now available up to DN 1200 (nominal diameter of 1,200 mm, which the new standard recognises for the first time), opening new markets and enlarging the range of plastic products available.

PVC-O is much stronger and lighter than standard unplasticised PVC (PVC-U), while its molecular orientation also gives it better impact resistance and increased tensile strength. TEPPFA added that the resin’s low material and energy consumption, plus its 100% recycling ability, contributes to its “excellent sustainability credentials.”