The Radius Academy
New to the utilities sector and grappling with wrapping your head around pipeline engineering, then the Radius Academy is for you.
Gas Water Hydrogen Segments Drainage Irrigation Gas Water Hydrogen Segments Drainage Irrigation Gas Water Hydrogen Segments Drainage Irrigation
Pipe Products Fittings Valves Pipe Products Fittings Valves Pipe Products Fittings Valves
Bar-Rating SDR Terminology Pressure Bar-Rating SDR Terminology Pressure Bar-Rating SDR Terminology Pressure
Compliance WRAS Reg-31 ISO Compliance WRAS Reg-31 ISO Compliance WRAS Reg-31 ISO
Potable Water (Drinking Water)
Drinking water pipe networks, referred to in the industry as pipe for potable water, have to conform to the strictest of water pipe standards, for the obvious reasons of protecting public water quality.
Bringing the water from reservoirs right through the water supply system to the boundary of your property is delivered by a pipe network that usually combines polyethylene and stainless steel pipes, with fittings, valves, flanges and hydrants.
Non Potable Water (Every Other Water Application)
Non potable water pipe networks encompass a vast amount of applications, for the transfer of water for waste, drainage, rainwater collection, hydroelectricity, geothermal systems and irrigation. While there are standards for compliance, they are not as strict as potable water pipe networks.
Relatable examples include the removal of water waste from your home, to drainage for football pitches and golf courses to irrigation on strawberry farms.
Gas (Methane, Biomethane and Hydrogen)
For many years the gas that fuels industry and heats our homes is methane, more recently moving to bio-methane and hydrogen in order to decarbonise the gas network. Due to the combustible flammable nature of gas, pipe, valves and fittings have to adhere to very stringent standards, which impacts installers who are often specialised requiring specific gas training.
The Different Elements of the Water Pipe Network
Ofwat is the regulator for the water sector in the UK, and sets out in the diagram above the dfferent types of water pipe:
1. Mains pipe for distributing water around the network
2. Communication pipe for carrying wayer between the mains and the boundary of the private property
3. Supply pipe running from the boundary of the property into the property
Get Technical
BPF Technical Guidance
Explore technical guidance documents from the British Plastics Federation, covering essential topics for polyethylene piping systems. These resources offer expert insights into design, durability, jointing techniques, and quality assurance for safe and effective application in various environments.
Lengths of Pipe
Coils of Pipe
Smaller diameter pipe can be called up to 180 mm. Depending on the pipe being order, these typically are available in coil lengths of 50 m and 100 m.
The benefit of using coils is that there are fewer connections.
Sticks of Pipe
Straight pipes in the form of sticks that come in stacked packs are usually for larger diameter pipes where coiling is not an option due to the rigidity of the pipe. These commonly come in lengths of 6 m, 12 m, and 13.5 m.
The Role of Approval Bodies
Sector specific approval bodies are in place to ensure safety, environmental protection, quality standards and for economic regulation. It is important to ensure pipeline products have the correct approval for the application that it is to be used in, these can be found on the individual product datasheets.
Learn about the different approval bodies below.
Drinking water products used by water companies are regulated under Regulation 31 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended)1.
The Water Regulations Approval Scheme is an independent UK certification body for plumbing products and materials. In the respect of pipe line products, it relates to the part of the pipe network from the stop cock on the boundary of the property into the property. Mainly this is referred to as 'service' pipe.
Visit the WRAS website hereÂ
The Gas Industry Standard is a set of regulations, specifications and procedures to ensure the safety, integrity and efficiency of gas systems within the UK. These are developed and maintained by a group of industry bodies with websites listed:
Visit the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM)
Visit the Energy Networks Association (ENA)
The British Standards Institution is responsible for the development and maintenance of the BS EN 1555 European Gas Specification standard specific for polyethylene (PE) piping systems for gas.