Revised technical manual to be released by SAPPMA

According to Jan Venter, SAPPMA chief executive officer, the purpose of this annually updated manual is to provide basic, relevant and updated information to engineers when they select and specify the plastic pipes that are to be used in water supply and waste-water disposal applications.

"Pipelines form a key part of a South Africa's infrastructure and should therefore be long-term. Modern plastic pipe materials are easily suitable for hundred-year lifetimes and the engineers involved in specification processes need to be equipped with the most recent and independent design information when they are making their decisions," Venter explains.

A publication for the industry by industry experts

However, SAPPMA also warns that poor quality plastic pipe is not necessarily obvious from a visual point of view. "This makes it even more important for design engineers or specifiers to apply all available precautions in the selection of manufacturers, suppliers and installers," Venter adds.

Apart from covering the differences between the various types of plastic pipes and explaining the basic procedures that need to be taken when engineers are selecting or specifying the correct pipe, the 2013-2014 edition is influenced by some of the latest international trends and developments coming out of the overseas plastic piping industry aimed at quicker and safer installations, reducing manufacturing costs, reducing down time and improving overall efficiency. It also includes sections on HDPE fabricated fittings as well as the jointing of HDPE.

SAPPMA's technical manual does not replace published text books and codes on the subject, but should be used as a basic guide in the use, selection and specification of plastic pipes. Concludes Venter: "This is a publication for the industry by industry experts who are in the best position to advise engineers on the correct size, strength and material properties for a range of different applications."

Copies of the publication will be made available to design and civil engineers via SAICE or can be purchased directly from SAPPMA at a cost of R200 per copy. For more information, contact Louise Muller at az.oc.amppas@nimdA. Copies will be limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.