Does HDPE burn?
Yes! However, to prevent fire from spreading between one floor
to the other or from one room to the next, we propose installing
the Valsir fire stop sleeve (art. 410), which complies with REI
180: namely it is able to withstand fire for 180 minutes.
Can the fire stop sleeve be positioned horizontally or only
vertically?
The fire stop sleeve can be positioned both vertically and horizontally.
How does the fire stop sleeve function?
When the sleeve, which has an external steel layer, has been
fitted on the pipe and buried inside the wall structure, comes
into contact with the heat produced by the fire it "blocks"
the pipe and prevents the flame from propagating (since the sleeve
contains material that expands in this situation).
Is it possible to glue HDPE?
NO! Polyethylene cannot be glued.
Is it possible to weld Valsir products together with competitor
products?
If the competitor product complies with UNI EN 1519-1 standards
and bears the IIP mark, then the products are compatible with
each other. It is necessary to remember that our insurance only
covers the Valsir product, in the event of damage.
If the HDPE burns how can it be repaired?
A: By using 2 electric sleeves to be used as sliding pieces,
removing the section of damaged pipe.
B: By using the Valsir repair kits (art. 455).
C: By melting the Valsir strip (art. 477) over the hole using
the Valsir hot air blower (art. 476).
What is the failure pressure for HDPE?
According to the UNI EN 1519-1 standards, HDPE utilised for waste
systems must not be used under pressure, however the HDPE wall
thickness, up to diameter 160 has the same wall thickness as the
PN4 pressure range, whereas the remaining pipes correspond to
the PN3, 2 range. This, naturally, also refers to the welded pipe,
but without joints with: electric sleeves, extension sockets,
expansion pieces and all the fittings that incorporate ring seals.
Can HDPE be used to distribute drinking water?
The UNI EN 1519-1 standard only refers to HDPE pipes and fittings
for waste systems inside buildings, however the raw material is
the same material used to manufacture pressurised HDPE to transport
H2O.
Can the HDPE waste system be used to distribute fuel gas?
NO! Current regulations do not foresee this.
Is HDPE acid-resistant?
It is necessary to consult our technical catalogue while referring
however to the correct name of the chemical agent and not to the
common slang name (for example: BLEACH = SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE).
Why is HDPE black?
HDPE is a translucent white colour in its initial state. A small
quantity of carbon black is then added to protect the product
from ultraviolet rays. The UNI EN 1519-1 standards at the heading:
"Colour", establish that it shall be "preferably
coloured black".
Why does the pipe melt before the fitting?
The melting temperature remains 210°C for both. Fittings
are manufactured using a moulding technique (the material is pressed
inside the mould), whereas the pipe is extruded (namely, the material
is drawn), therefore the pipe reaches the melting temperature
a few seconds before the fitting.
Why do competitor pipes melt before or after?
The melting temperature is always 210°C. To produce pipes
the various companies that are licensed to use the IIP UNI mark,
utilise raw materials that are compatible with each other, but
many small aspects may change during the production phase (extrusion
rate, thrust pressure, equipment characteristics, etc.) which
create these small differences in the subsequent welding phase,
although the production complies with the standards, however they
do not influence the subsequent use.
The system is damaged, how should I proceed?
The following actions should be taken:
- inform Valsir about the damage (within three days);
- Valsir will send a technician to examine the situation on site;
- Valsir's technician will complete a form and retrieve the disputed
piece (in the case of urgent repairs, first take photos of the damage);
- the appropriate tests are performed.
WARNING: in certain cases it is necessary to section the fittings
(this must be mentioned);
- once responsibilities have been determined, the damages are
settled, if applicable, after a regular invoice has been received
for the repair.
Different procedures or variations shall only be authorised by
Valsir representatives.
What is the maximum temperature at which HDPE can be used?
UNI EN 1519-1 standards indicate 95°C, whereas the softening
point, namely the temperature which causes the piece to deform
corresponds to 125°C. Therefore, even temperature peaks exceeding
95°C do not create problems.
Is it possible to use HDPE for rainwater?
Yes! There are no problems. It is necessary to consider the expansion
coefficient, which is equal to 0.2 mm./m °C, if the down pipes
installed come into direct contact with sunlight, it is therefore
necessary to insert expansion joints.
How can the expansion be calculated?
There is a formula:
expansion = 0.2 x (pipe length) x temperature change
where 0.2 is the expansion coefficient.
For example: assuming we discharge water inside a pipe that can
reach 70°C and the temperature at the time of installation
is equal to 0°C. The pipe therefore, will be subject to a
temperature variation equal to 70°C; the pipe length is (for
example) 5 mt. We can now replace the data in the formula:
Expansion = 0.2 mm. x pipe length x temperature variation
70 mm. = 0.2 x 5 x 70.
we will therefore have an expansion of 70 mm. It is necessary,
however, to consider that the pipes are never completely full
and that the quantity of hot water is always limited.
I have to install a complete waste system: columns, bathroom
outlets, top floor outlet circuit; is it possible to use Valsir's
consulting service?
Yes! We have a Technical Department capable of making every type
of recommendation, furthermore, our technical catalogues include
tables to size waste pipes.
Does the HDPE pipe that is buried in the concrete casting need
to be protected with special solutions?
This is not essential. However, protection using heavy paper
or corrugated cardboard does no harm.
Is it possible to connect a PVC pipe (or a pipe of other material)
with a HDPE pipe?
Yes! It is necessary to know the diameters to be connected and
to define whether the pipes to be connected together have a socket
or otherwise.
I need to seal off a HDPE pipe, how should I proceed?
Definitive Sealing: by welding the Valsir sealing cover (art.
342). Non-definitive sealing: solution A: by welding the Valsir
sealing cap (art. 340). Solution B: by welding the Valsir collar
(art. 347) then, using the Valsir free flange (art. .45), the
corresponding set of Valsir bolts (art. 341), the Valsir sealing
gasket (art. 343) and the Valsir blind flange (art. 346).
Is it possible to weld the Valsir electric sleeves using a sleeve
welder purchased from another supplier?
In addition to using our equipment, our diameter 40 to diameter
160 electric sleeves can also be welded with the equipment marketed
by the following companies: GEBERIT - WAVIN (WAVINDUO range) -
COES - AKATHERM - EUROFUSION - VULCATHENE.
Whereas 200, 250 and 315 diameters in addition to using our equipment,
can also be welded with the equipment marketed by the following
companies: VULCATHENE - EUROFUSION - AKATHERM - VON ROLL- WAVIN
VR.
We have recently manufactured a universal sleeve welder which,
in addition to welding our 40 to 315 mm size sleeves, is programmed
to weld all 40 to 315 mm size sleeves produced by competitors
only for use in waste systems.