Pipeline materials are often handled many times during the period between production and final installation. The precision with which PVC pipes are manufactured warrant the careful handling of the product at all times in order not to impair its properties or preclude its use.

Good Practice

Careful handling procedures are intended not only to protect the pipe from damage and PVC is a tough material but adherance to the following good practice steps outined below  will ensure long term performance of the pipe.

Some basic physical properties of PVC pipes are worth noting :

•The pipe material is notch sensitive; therefore cuts and deep scratches must be avoided.

•The effects of very low temperatures or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight tend to embrittle the pipe material; therefore sensible protection is required during protracted storage periods and extra care is recommended during very cold conditions.

Unloading and Handling

Deliveries of bulk quantities of pipe will be packed in wooden crates. If possible, they should be unloaded and stored in these crates, using some form of lifting equipment such as a front end loader, forklift, or backhoe. Crates should be stacked timber upon timber so the crates take the load.

Single pipes in smaller diameters are mostly light enough to be unloaded one at a time by hand. Pipes should never be simply dropped off the truck, nor should they be dragged along the ground.

Bundles of pipe should preferably be lifted with webbing or synthetic slings. Chains, steel wire slings etc can also be used if rubber sleeved or suitably padded. Slings should be placed under and around the bundle, not the bundle frames or straps.

When a number of pipes are being carried together on the job, they should be held securely, so they are not damaged by rubbing together or rolling around.

To prevent bowing, the maximum overhang of pipes being carried should not be more than one metre. For maximum safety the pipes should be carried close to the ground.

Stacking individual pipes

When unloading the pipes one at a time the following stacking procedure is advised:

The bottom layer of pipes should be laid on timber bearers at least 75mm wide, and spaced not more than 2 metres apart, centre to centre.

The weight of the stack should not be taken by the sockets of the bottom pipe layer. Pipes should be stacked with sockets alternating end for end so that pipe sockets do not bear on each other.

If the stack is more than two layers high, vertical side supports, not more than 3 metres apart should be used. Pipe stacks should not be more than 1.5 metres high.

When using pyramid stacking the maximum height should not be more than one metre, and the bottom pipes should be chocked.

Pipes should be stacked to prevent bowing or twisting of the pipe, regardless of method used.

Storage

Pipes should not be stored in direct sunlight for longer than twelve months without a Hessian or similar cover. Black plastic should be avoided as it can create excessive heat build-up.

Stringing

Laying the pipes along the line of the trench is known as stringing.

The following points should be observed:

•Sockets should face the direction in which work will be going

•Pipes should be unloaded on the opposite side of the trench to the soil

•Pipes should be placed at 6 metre intervals

•Sockets should be placed so that the flow enters the socket end of the pipe.

•The identification marketing strip should be laid uppermost to aid in identifying the pipe should it be uncovered at any time in the future.

Click here to view stacking and unloading diagrams