Installation of plastic pipe is similar to that of steel piping systems - pipe can be trench-laid, sliplined, or
directionally drilled. At approximately 1/8 the weight of comparable steel pipe, and with integral and robust
joining methods, Installation is a simpler, and generally more cost-effective.
There are three common methods for joining – heat fusion, electrofusion and mechanical fittings. Pipe joints can be
heat-fusion bonded, one length of pipe directly to another, which creates a leak-free system without the need for a
fitting. The fusion-bond area is as strong or stronger than the adjoining native pipe. Electrofusion provides another
option for a fusion bond with the control box. Some gas companies prefer mechanical fittings that have been designed
for plastic pipe. All three of these joining methods provide leak-free plastic piping systems in the gas distribution industry.
Although benign to chemically aggressive native soil, installation of PE pipe in soils heavily contaminated with organic
solvents (oil, gasoline) is not recommended. In these cases, PA11 should be considered because it is chemically inert to these
types of organic solvents and can be installed without re-rating of the pipe strength.
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