Civil Engineering June 2021 | Vol 29 No 5

Civil Engineering June 2021 45 Q Q Pipes should be loaded and unloaded carefully by hand. If handling equipment is used, make sure that it is used in such a way that it does not cause damage to the pipes. Q Q The impact resistance of PVC is reduced in cold weather and more care needs to be taken in handling during winter. If the temperature falls below –5°C, special instructions should be requested from the manufacturer. Q Q Avoid direct contact with metal pipes, slings, hooks, or chains as this could damage the plastic pipes. TRANSPORTATION Q Q When transporting pipes, flatbed vehicles should be used. Ensure that the bed is free from nails and other protuberances and that the pipes rest uniformly on the vehicle over their whole length. Q Q The vehicle should have side supports appropriately spaced (approximately 2 m apart) and the pipes must be secured effectively during transportation. For pipes in bundles of ap- proximately 1 m × 1 m, the space of the side supports can be increased to 2.5 m to 3 m. Q Q When loading socket-end and spigot-end pipes, the pipes should be stacked so that the sockets do not take any load. Q Q When loading the pipes onto the vehicle, ensure that the overhang does not exceed 1 m. Q Q Thicker walled pipes should be loaded before the thinner walled pipes. Q Q Where the pipes have been “telescoped” for transportation, remove the inner pipes first and stack them separately. Q Q Once the pipes are delivered, it is important for the purchaser to carefully inspect the pipes at the place of delivery. The markings on the pipes should be checked to ensure that they correspond to the specifications of the order, and that all seal rings are properly in place. “Plastic pipes should be synonymous with reliability and trust. While SAPPMA regularly conducts audits to confirm the raw materials that have gone into the pipes and that quality processes were followed during manufacturing, it is important that this same attention to detail and care is extended to the handling and transportation of these pipes. The latter should be as reliable as the pipes that our members manufacture,” concludes Venter.  When stacking, sockets must be alternated within the pile and project sufficiently