Here is a listing of five useful websites containing plastic pipe reference material that many professionals in the pipe industry refer to on a regular basis. These sites link to associations, alliances, organizations, and media companies that focus on expanding the plastic industry's knowledge-base and footprint through education, awareness outreach and policy. From studies on chlorine’s effect on HDPE pipe to the best ways to splice PE jacketed fiber, each of these sites is filled with high quality reference material on plastic pipe.
PPI – Founded in 1950, the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) is a major trade association representing all segments of the plastics piping industry. The PPI mission is to advance the acceptance and use of plastic pipe systems through research, education, technical expertise and advocacy. According to the website, “PPI members share a common interest in broadening awareness and creating opportunities that expand market share and extend the use of plastics pipe in all its many applications…PPI focuses [on] collaborative efforts to accumulate data, concentrate facts and target resources toward advancements in applications and increases in widespread usage.” The PPI’s publications index page linked here is perhaps the most useful page on the organization’s site. This page contains comprehensive reports related to specific areas of design, operation and manufacturing. It is intended to assist engineers, code officials, specifying groups and users with information on implementation of plastic pipe. For even more technical plastic pipe information visit the Technical Reports and Technical Notes links via the Resources dropdown menu.
PE Alliance – The Alliance for PE Pipe was created in 2008 with the goal of helping American and Canadian municipal leaders realize the real-world benefits and long-term cost-effectiveness of using HDPE pipe. Education, promotion and knowledge sharing are key components of this organization outreach strategy. The Alliance frequently sites HDPE pipe benefits that include trenchless, leak-free, longevity and low lifecycle and installation cost. According to PE Alliance, HDPE enjoys more than 95% market share of the natural gas market, but just 3% to 5% of the municipal water and sewer market. The collection of current piping-related news articles is highly useful and provides information to the reader looking to stay abreast of the current market.
ASTM – ASTM International, organized in 1898, is a non-profit, voluntary standards-developing organization covering global industries in 140 participating countries. Volunteer members serving on standards-writing committees develop technical documents for numerous industry sectors including Plastics. ASTM’s plastics committee has over 500 members. More than 12,000 ASTM standards are available online and in the 80-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards. According to the organization, “ASTM’s plastics standards are instrumental in specifying, testing, and assessing the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of a wide variety of materials and products that are made of plastic and its polymeric derivatives.” Adding, “These plastics standards allow plastic manufacturers and end-users to examine and evaluate their material or product of concern to ensure quality and acceptability towards safe utilization.” Standards searching is user friendly and easily modified based on search criteria.
AWWA – Founded in 1881 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international, nonprofit, scientific and educational society dedicated to providing total water solutions assuring the effective management of water. According to the Associations’ policy and Advocacy page, “AWWA was formed to promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of water.” One of many helpful resources found on the AWWA website, Overview of Regulatory Activity, provides a thorough and comprehensive 31-page review of the ongoing and recent regulatory actions in the United States and Canada impacting drinking water and/or waste water sectors.
ISE – ICT Solutions and Education’s (ISE) outreach focuses on education, information and communications professionals (ICT), including construction and engineering, installation and maintenance, and IT and procurement workers in this field. The ISE distribution channels include print, online, digital, mobile, live and virtual events, webinars, podcasts, video, social media and trade shows. Unlike other websites listed above, this site’s focus, as it relates to HDPE, is specific to fiber. Check out the Fiber to the X (FTTX) tab via the homepage for all things fiber related including installation, tips and tricks, fiber-to-the-antenna (FTTA), hybrid architectures, new technology and optical networking.
Once you’ve read through the reference material on plastic pipe, contact us for additional information and guidance or to discuss your company’s specific plastics needs.
About United Poly Systems
United Poly Systems produces quality HDPE pipe in diameters from ¾-in. to 26-in. IPS and 4-in. to 24-in. DIPS for use in many industries including telecommunications, power utility, water, electrical and oil and gas. The market for HDPE pipe continues to expand as initiatives to improve, repair and expand the country’s infrastructure are implemented.
Our off-the-shelf HDPE conduit/pipe is available in a variety of sizes, colors, dimensions and lengths, with or without stripes. We also offer fully customizable HDPE conduit options. In addition, piping can be customized with a ribbed interior (to maximize the distance cable may be pulled or jetted), pull tape, or a lubricated interior (for easier installation).
Success at UPS can be attributed to our vast experience, extensive client relationships, state-of-the-art manufacturing and quality processes. Our agile business model that allows UPS to quickly meet customers’ needs without the overhead expenses that are incurred by many of the larger producers in the industry.