The Radius Academy is our structured training and knowledge programme designed to support purchasing teams, category managers and operational support staff in making confident, compliant PE pipeline decisions.
It provides clear insight into product selection, standards compliance, installation requirements and lifecycle value.
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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
Utilities Segments Introduction
Drinking Water (Potable Water) Pipe Networks
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Drinking water pipe networks, commonly referred to as potable water pipe systems, must comply with the most stringent water industry standards to protect public health and water quality
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Systems are typically required to meet UK and international potable water regulations, including:
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WRAS approval for materials and components in contact with drinking water
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DWI Regulation 31 compliance for water quality assurance
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Relevant British and European Standards, such as BS EN 12201 for polyethylene (PE) pipe systems and BS EN 10312 for stainless steel water pipes, where applicable
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Compliance with these standards supports regulatory approval, risk reduction, and long-term network performance
Typical Potable Water System Components
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Polyethylene (PE) pipe systems designed for potable water distribution and long service life
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Stainless steel pipework used where strength, hygiene or specific installation requirements apply
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Compatible fittings and jointing systems to maintain system integrity and standards compliance
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Valves, flanges and hydrants to support operational control, maintenance and network resilience
Non-Potable Water Pipe Networks
(All Other Water Applications)
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Non-potable water pipe networks are used for a wide range of water transfer applications where water is not intended for human consumption
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These systems support essential infrastructure functions across wastewater, drainage, environmental and agricultural sectors
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While non-potable networks must still meet defined industry and regulatory standards, the requirements are less stringent than potable water systems, reflecting their application and risk profile
Typical Non-Potable Water Applications
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Wastewater and foul drainage systems for residential, commercial and industrial use
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Surface water and stormwater drainage, including highways and sports facilities
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Rainwater harvesting and reuse systems
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Irrigation networks for agriculture, landscaping and horticulture
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Hydroelectric and geothermal systems requiring reliable water conveyance
Standards & Compliance Considerations
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Non-potable water systems are commonly designed in line with British and European Standards, including:
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BS EN 12201 for polyethylene (PE) pipe systems used in water conveyance
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BS EN 752 for drainage and sewer systems outside buildings
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BS EN 1610 for construction and testing of drains and sewers
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Material selection and system design focus on durability, hydraulic performance, chemical resistance and lifecycle value, rather than drinking water approval
Gas (Methane, Biomethane and Hydrogen)
- Gas pipe networks are used to safely transport methane, biomethane and, increasingly, hydrogen as part of the transition to lower-carbon energy systems
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These networks play a critical role in heating homes, fueling industry and supporting decarbonisation strategies across the gas sector
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Due to the combustible and flammable nature of gas, all pipes, fittings, valves and jointing systems are subject to stringent regulatory and safety standards
Safety, Standards & Compliance
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Gas pipeline systems must comply with robust UK and international gas regulations, typically including:
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GIS standards for gas distribution networks and components
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BS EN 1555 for polyethylene (PE) pipe systems for the supply of gaseous fuels
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UK Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GSMR) governing the safe operation of gas networks
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Compliance supports public safety, network integrity and regulatory approval, and is a key consideration in procurement and specification decisions
Installation & Operational Considerations
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Gas networks are typically installed and maintained by appropriately trained and accredited operatives
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The requirement for specialist gas training and certification influences:
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Approved contractor selection
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Installation methodologies
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Project planning and programme risk
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Product selection must therefore support system compatibility, standards compliance and long-term operational performance
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.