Are there any special trenching requirements advised by our customers for PE pipe?

No special trenching requirements are normally needed for PE compared to other materials and the preparation of trenches should follow national or local practices.

Sharp stones should be removed from the base of the trench and where laying the pipe across rock or granular soil of angular consistency, such as gravel or cobbles, the trench should be excavated below the required depth to allow the pipe to be laid on imported compacted backfill.

It is advisable that PE pipe be surrounded by good quality compacted backfill which may need to be imported. Local codes of practice normally advise the nature of pipe bedding material required.

The ability of PE pipe to be joined above ground and snaked into the trench allows for the use of narrow trenches. The trench width can be kept to a minimum but should still allow for good compaction during backfilling. Again it is important to consult local and national practices.