Irrigation Pipe

CPVC

Pressure Rating Standards Rated pressure – amount of pressure (PSI) pipe can handle Depends on pipe material, pipe’s diameter and wall thickness Decreases significantly when water temps exceed 73 F

POLYVINYLCHLORIDE (PVC) Semi-rigid plastic

POLYVINYLCHLORIDE (PVC)

POLYVINYLCHLORIDE (PVC) Iron pipe size (IPS) – the common standard that pipe is sized to fit couplers Plastic irrigation pipe (PIP) – less common

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PVC SCHEDULE PVC Pipe pressure ratings change with pipe diameter because wall thickness always the same

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PVC SCHEDULE PVC Sch. 40: white Sch. 80: gray (thicker) Sch 40 PVC 1” pipe has a rating of 450 PSI Sch 40 PVC 4” pipe has a rating of 220 PSI

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PVC SDR PVC All diameters have same pressure rating Class 200 All CL 200 pipes are 200 psi Class 160 All CL 160 pipes are 160 psi

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PVC SDR PVC Standard dimension ratio-pressure rated Wall thickness is adjusted to the pipe diameter The larger the pipe, the thicker the wall

PIPE DIMENSIONS OD controlled – inside diameter is changed to meet the wall thickness requirements Used on PVC so that all pipe sizes of different thickness will fit in couplers

PVC LABEL NSF – National Sanitary Foundation approved for potable water PVC 1120 – pipe material PSI at 73 F – pressure rating

CPVC Beige color Plumbing applications Requires CPVC glue Fittings not interchangeable with PVC Requires CPVC glue

POLYETHYLENE PIPE (PE) Resistant to sunlight deterioration Drip irrigation, some sprinklers Connected by inserts or couplers Flexibility adapts to freezing conditions

Pulling Pipe

SIZING PIPE too large Economical Smaller pipe costs less

SIZING PIPE too small Operational efficiency When pipe is sized too small, water speed (velocity) is too fast Lose pressure to friction loss

Pipe Damage Water hammer –force of water coming to abrupt stops Eventually cracks tees and elbows from repeated force

Pipe Damage Water hammer Reinforce tees on large pipe Open valves slowly Properly sized pipes to reduce velocity

Solvent Welding Cleaner Primer (purple stuff) Cement (solvent weld) Dirt and debris Primer (purple stuff) Chemically softens plastic Often used instead of cleaner Cement (solvent weld) Chemically welds plastic together

Solvent Welding Square cut Bevel edge on >4” pipe

Solvent Welding Prime Outside of pipe Inside of fitting

Solvent Welding Cement Outside of pipe Inside of fitting

Solvent Welding Insert pipe Quarter turn Hold for 30 seconds Wipe off excess

Solvent Welding Set and cure time varies Temperature and time Colder takes longer 1” pipe cures in 15 minutes

PVC Components Slip fittings Socket (S) Spig (Sp) Glue together “female” Spig (Sp) “male” Usually the pipe end

PVC Components Threaded fittings Female pipe threads (FPT) Screw together Female pipe threads (FPT) Male pipe threads (MPT)

PVC Components Threaded fittings Teflon tape on constant pressure fittings Apply clockwise

Adapter Changes connection type

Reducer bushing Reduces connection size Fits into coupler

Coupler Connects pipe

Elbow

Tee Vulnerable to water hammer

Reducing Tee 1” x ¾” tee (S x FPT)

Cross

Telescopic Coupler Repair coupler

Compression Coupler Repair, no glue needed

Point of Connection Install Compression Tee Copper, PVC, or PEX