Going With The Flow

As we write this issue Wimbledon fortnight is in full swing and the cream is melting on the strawberries. Except, that is, on the north east coast, where we sit under a blanket of sea fog. Ah the English summer. All the same, we wish customers and readers a very pleasant and relaxing holiday time.

CPVC fire sprinkler piping is widely accepted and used as a cost-effective alternative to metal sprinkler piping. In the UK it has been used to protect many different types of structures, ranging from hotels and houses to valuable historic buildings.

To keep pace with the latest developments, we have re-designed and published a completely new design and installation guide. More comprehensive than our previous publication, the guide provides helpful advice on where and how to use this unique system, as well as giving step by step instructions on assembly.

Download the new guide at www.ips-blazemaster.com/design

Note that it is a requirement that installers complete an accredited training course before installing a fire sprinkler system. Our course is provided free of charge to customers. To arrange a course for yourself or workforce, please contact us by email on tduell@ipsflowsystems.com.

Although plastics can be used to transport compressed air, the selection of the material is critically important. Compressed air and/or other gases contain a tremendous amount of stored energy, even at relatively low pressures. PVC-U and PVC-C have a brittle mode of failure, and should a fracture occur in a pipe handling compressed air or gas, the immediate release of the stored energy can cause extreme danger. For this reason, NEVER use PVC-U or PVC-C for this application.

Polyethylene (PE) and modified forms of ABS have good resistance to compressor oils as well as having high ductility and impact strength. Agruair and Air-Line Xtra systems provide high levels of corrosion resistance and will not suffer from rusting or scaling. They are non-toxic and have a smooth bore – resulting in lower friction losses. Lightweight and easy to install these systems are very cost-effective when compared to metal piping.

For further information on Agruair or Air-Line Xtra, email info@ipsflowsystems.com.

Copy and paste into your pipe specification to cause complete confusion…

1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole surrounded by metal or plastic centred around the hole.

2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length - do not use holes of different length to the pipe.

3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the OD (Outside Diameter) - otherwise the hole will be on the outside.

4. All pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole, so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.

5. All pipe should be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site.
NOTE: Some companies can supply pre-rusted pipes. If available in your area, this product is recommended, as it will save a great deal of time at the job site.

6. All pipe over 150m in length should have the words "LONG PIPE" clearly painted on each side and end, so that the contractor knows it's a long pipe.

7. Pipe over 3km in length must also have the words "LONG PIPE" painted in the middle, so the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether or not it is a long pipe or a short pipe.

8. All pipe over 2m in diameter must have the words "LARGE PIPE" painted on it, so the contractor will not mistake it for small pipe.

9. Flanges may be used on the pipe. Flanges must have holes for bolts, quite separate from the big hole in the middle.

10. When ordering elbows, be sure to specify left-hand or right-hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.

11. Be sure to specify whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipes for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.

12. All couplings should have either right-hand or left-hand threads, but do not mix the threads otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on one pipe, it is being unscrewed from the other.

13. All pipes shorter than 3mm are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as washers.

14. Joints in pipes for piping water must be water-tight. Those in pipes for compressed air, however, need only be air-tight.

At the end of May, nine of our team headed west to Whitehaven in Cumbria to start the 150 mile cycle ride back to Sunderland.

150 miles of flat cycling in three days would be enough to finish most people off, but along the way the route throws up some interesting challenges, starting with Whinlatter pass (1043 feet) and closely followed by Hartside Pass (1900 feet) then Black Hill (2000 feet). Exhausting.

This year the team supported WaterAid, who provide relief to some of the world’s poorest people. The total amount raised will be known in the next couple of weeks. The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all, although extra seat cushions were needed for their return to work.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us and here’s to next year's Coast 2 Coast challenge.

To view more pictures > http://www.ipsflowsystems.com/cycleride2009.htm

» CPVC Design Guide
» Plastics for compressed air
» Pipe specifications for idiots
» IPS cyclists go coast to coast
» How not to do it

IPS Flow Systems are the UK's largest specialist supplier of industrial plastic piping systems. To view our full catalogue click here.

Our journey through the depths of installation problems continues this month with an illustration of the combined effects of heat and pressure on plastic piping.

This PVC-U system was pumped against a closed valve. Amazingly, the pipe and joints remained intact without failure and the system was safely de-pressurised!

Is this the worst example you have seen, or do you have something better? Email us with your pics and we'll include them in future issues (anonymity guaranteed).