PE plastic
pipe or tubing and fitting joining methods shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions
and shall comply with Section 605.6.1 or Section 605.6.2.
Heat-fusion joints
between PE pipe or tubing and fittings shall be assembled
in accordance with Section 605.6.1.1 through Section
605.6.1.3 using butt, socket, and electro-fusion heat
methods.
Butt-fusion joints
shall be made in accordance with ASTM F2620.
Joints shall be made by heating the squared ends of
two pipes, pipe and fitting, or two fittings by holding
ends against a heated element. The heated element
shall be removed where the proper melt is
obtained and joined ends shall be placed together
with applied force.
Electro-fusion
joints shall be heated internally by a conductor at the
interface of the joint. Align and restrain fitting to
pipe to prevent movement and apply electric current
to the fitting. Turn off the current when the proper
time has elapsed to heat the joint. The joint shall fuse
together and remain undisturbed until cool.
Socket-fusion
joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM F2620. Joints shall be made by simultaneously heating the outside surface of a pipe end and the inside
of a fitting socket. Where the proper melt is
obtained, the pipe and fitting shall be joined by
inserting one into the other with applied force. The
joint shall fuse together and remain undisturbed until
cool.
Mechanical joints
between PE pipe or tubing and fittings shall include
insert and mechanical compression fittings that provide
a pressure seal resistance to pullout. Joints for insert fittings
shall be made by cutting the pipe square, using a
cutter designed for plastic piping, and removal of sharp
edges. Two stainless steel clamps shall be placed over
the end of the pipe. Fittings shall be checked for proper
size based on the diameter of the pipe. The end of pipe
shall be placed over the barbed insert fitting, making contact
with the fitting shoulder. Clamps shall be positioned
equal to 180 degrees (3.14 rad) apart and shall be tightened
to provide a leak tight joint. Compression type couplings
and fittings shall be permitted for use in joining
PE piping and tubing. Stiffeners that extend beyond the
clamp or nut shall be prohibited. Bends shall be not less
than 30 pipe diameters, or the coil radius where bending
with the coil. Bends shall not be permitted closer than 10
pipe diameters of a fitting or valve. Mechanical joints
shall be designed for their intended use.