Installation Guide of Plastic Pipe Systems for Hot and Cold Water [PE, PEX]

Following a brief picture of the italian market situation and development of the main sectors of application, the paper gives a review of the main italian and international standards regarding this kind of product. The paper reports on the efforts of a working group, promoted by IIP, composed by representatives of raw material manufacturers, end-users (building companies), italian plastic pipes manufacturers with the aim of promoting the knowledge and the conformity to the existing norms for plastic pipes for hot and cold water. Moreover, the aim has been to develop a practical tool (Guideline) to give end-users all the necessary information and details about how to handle and use these new pipes systems and the requirements to be respected to assure the promised performance of certificated plastic (PE-X, PB-1, PP-R) and multilayer (metal-plastic) pipes. This information regards all the elements, from the raw material and the criteria for materials acceptance, the reference standards, welding and installation, testing. So the Guideline contains all the technical information to help end-users and installers to understand the assured performances of certified plastic pipes for hot and cold water.