Plastic piping systems must be engineered, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with accepted standards and procedures. It is absolutely necessary that all design, installation, operation and maintenance personnel be trained in proper handling, installation requirements and precautions for installation and use of plastic piping systems before starting.
Handling & Storage
Spears® products are packaged and shipped with care to avoid damage. Pipe and fittings should be stored and protected from direct exposure to sunlight. All pipe and accessories should be stored above ground and fully supported so as not to bend or excessively deflect under its own weight. Proper stacking techniques are necessary. Improper stacking can result in instability that may result in pipe damage or personnel injury.
Use care when transporting and storing the product to prevent damage. Piping products should not be dropped or have objects dropped on them. Do not drag pipe over articles or across the ground and do not subject pipe to external loads or over stacking. If extended storage in direct sunlight is expected, pipe should be covered with an opaque material while permitting adequate air circulation above and around the pipe as required to prevent excessive heat accumulation.
Spears® products should not be stored or installed close to heat-producing sources. PVC storage should not exceed 150°F and CPVC storage should not exceed 210°F. Handling techniques for PVC and CPVC pipe considered acceptable at warm temperatures may be unacceptable at very cold temperatures. When handling pipe in cold weather, consideration must be given to its lower impact strength. In subfreezing temperatures, extra caution in handling must be taken to prevent impact damage.
All pipe should be inspected for any scratches, splits or gouges before use. Damaged sections must be cut out and discarded.
Plastic Piping Tools
Basic Tools used with Plastic Piping
Use tools that have been specifically designed for use with thermoplastic pipe and fittings when installing. A variety of tools that are designed for cutting, beveling, and assembling plastic pipe and fittings, are readily available through local wholesale supply houses dealing in plastic pipe and fittings.
Warning Tools normally used with metal piping systems, such as hacksaws, water pump pliers, pipe wrenches, etc., can cause damage to plastic pipe and fittings. Visible and hidden fractures, scoring or gouging of material, and over tightening of plastic threaded connections are some of the common problems resulting from the use of incorrect tools and procedures.
Pipe Cutters
Pipe must be square-cut to allow for the proper joining of pipe end and the fitting socket bottom. Wheel type pipe cutters designed for plastic pipe provides easy and clean cuts on smaller pipe sizes. Care should be used with similar ratchet-type cutters to avoid damage to pipe. A slightly raised edge left on the outside of the pipe end after cutting with either device must be removed.
Pipe Cutters for Large Diameter Pipe
Blade cutters made for use with large diameter plastic pipe are easy to adjust and operate for square, burr-less cuts. Blades with carbide edges will provide longer life. With one style blade cutter, pipe ends may also be beveled for solvent joints while being cut by using an optional bevel tool in place of one cutter blade.
Hand Saws
A miter box or similar guide can be used with a fine-toothed saw blade (16 to 18 teeth per inch) having little or no set (maximum 0.025 inch).
Power Saws
Power saws are quite useful in operations where a large quantity of pipe is being cut. Blades designed for plastic pipe MUST be used. A cutting speed of 6,000 RPM, using ordinary hand pressure is recommended.
Pipe Beveling Tools
Power beveling tools, as well as hand beveling tools designed for use with plastic pipe are available. Pipe ends must be beveled (chamfered) to allow easy insertion of the pipe into the fitting and to help spread solvent cement and to prevent scraping cement from the inside of the fitting socket. A recommended bevel of 1/16" to 3/32" at a 10° to 15° angle can be achieved using a plastic pipe beveling tool, but can also be accomplished using a file designed for use on plastic.
Deburring Tools
Special plastic pipe deburring tools remove burrs from pipe ends quickly and efficiently. All burrs must be removed from the inside, as well as the outside, of the pipe ends to properly spread solvent cement when joining pipe and fitting.
Strap Wrenches
Strap wrenches with nylon straps treated for slip resistance and designed for use with plastic pipe provide gripping power for turning without scratching or deforming the pipe.
Chain Vises
Chain vises can be used to hold pipe. Vises made with jaws engineered for use with plastic pipe provide holding power without damage to the pipe.
Pullers & Joining Devices
Pipe and fitting pullers are available for joining large diameter plastic pipe and fittings. These tools are designed to allow the pipe to be inserted to the proper insertion depth, maintain proper alignment during assembly, and hold freshly solvent-cemented connections to prevent the fitting from backing-off until the initial set time is achieved.
Joining Methods -Solvent
Cement Welding
Solvent cement welding is the most widely used joining method for PVC and CPVC pipe and fittings. Other methods such as threads, flanges and groove adapters can also be used. These are specifically useful where it is anticipated that the joint will have to be disassembled in the future.
Solvent Cement Safety Precautions
Solvent cement products are flammable and contain chemical solvents. Appropriate safety precautions must be taken BEFORE APPLYING PRIMER AND CEMENT. Read the cement can label!
CAUTION
Virtually all solvent cements and primers for plastic pipe are flammable and should not be used or stored near heat, spark or open flames. Do not smoke during use. Eliminate all ignition sources. Primer and PVC cement should be stored in closed containers in the shade at temperatures between 40°F and 110°F; CPVC cement at temperatures between 40°F and 90°F. Use of a can with applicator attached to its lid is recommended. Verify expiration dates stamped on cements and primers prior to use.
Avoid breathing vapors. They should be used only with adequate ventilation. Explosion-proof general mechanical ventilation is recommended. In confined or partially enclosed areas, a ventilating device should be used. Containers should be kept tightly closed when not in use, and covered as much as possible when in use.