Civil Engineering June 2021 | Vol 29 No 5

44 June 2021 Civil Engineering T here are standards and best practice models that should be followed to ensure that plastic pipes are not damaged en route. According to Jan Venter, CEO of the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), as much care should go into planning the safe and responsible transportation, storage and handling of plastic pipes as has gone into the manufacturing process. “The supply of safe and reliable pipes involves the entire supply chain – starting with the raw material suppliers on the one side and ending with installers at the final stage. In between, transportation and logistics are two very important steps that help drive members’ businesses and ensure a seamless service to customers and end-users,” explains Venter. Despite their lightness, plastic pipes are highly durable. Although this makes handling the pipes much easier, it could also potentially mean that they are likely to be mistreated. According to Venter, there are certain reasonable precautions that should be taken during handling and storage to ensure that the pipes are not damaged. STORAGE Q Q Storing plastic pipes in direct sunlight should be restricted to a period of six months from their manufacture. Ensure that rubber seals are not exposed to direct sunlight for this period. Q Q Pipes in storage must be adequately supported at all times. Racks should provide designed support and contact between pipes and sharp edges, burrs, and corners on metal racks should be avoided. Q Q Flanged pipes must not be stacked in large piles, especially under warm conditions: the lower pipes in the stack may become distorted with consequent difficulty in jointing. Q Q Socketed pipes (if stacked in layers) should have the sockets placed alternatively at opposite ends of the stack. The ends of pipes should be made safe from damage. Q Q Pipes of different diameters should not be nested, one inside the other, when stacked. SUPPORTING Q Q Lateral supports should be installed at maximum intervals of 1.5 m. These supports should preferably consist of posts at least 50 mm wide. If the pipes are in bundles of approximately 1 m × 1 m, the lateral supports should be spaced at greater distances of up to 3 m. Q Q Plastic pipes should be supported evenly over their whole length. If this is not possible, they should be carried on wooden supports of at least 50 mm usable width, the axes of which are at most 2 m apart. STACKING Q Q Pipes of different diameters and thicknesses should ideally be stacked separately. If this is not possible, the largest and thickest pipes should be placed at the bottom. Q Q Pipes should be stacked on a reasonably flat surface, free from sharp objects, stones, or projections likely to deform or damage them. Q Q Ensure the stacked piles are in a location where it would not be possible for dirt to get into the pipes. Do not place the pipes in contact with pipes used for fuel, solvents, or paints. Q Q Ensure that the piles are not constructed to such a height where the pipes might be deformed. Q Q When stacking socket-end-spigot-end pipes, the sockets shall be alternated within the pile and shall project sufficiently for the pipes to be correctly supported along their whole length. Q Q Make sure all health and safety procedure guidelines are followed. In some areas, wind may blow over stacks that are too high. HANDLING Q Q When handling the pipes, care should be taken not to damage the surface. This is especially important if the ends have been treated, for example, for spigot and socket joints. Q Q Pipes should not be dropped onto a hard surface or dragged along the ground. Correct handling, storage and transportation of plastic pipes When it comes to the manufacture of plastic pipes, SANS, ISO, and SABS have high standards and strict criteria that need to be met to ensure customer satisfaction. But what about the way in which these pipes are stored, handled, and transported once they leave the factory floor or the distribution warehouse? It is vital that plastic pipes are stored, handled, and transported correctly