All of the Polypipe systems can be used in most domestic heating and hot and cold water systems including systems containing combination boilers or mains fed water cylinders. It should not be used on gas, compressed air, solar heating or primary or gravity pipe works from solid fuel back boilers.

Polyplumb, Polyfit and Polysure are suitable for the following Class S service conditions in a normal domestic operation (subject to the exceptions referred to in note2 below): (Continuously operated ring main installations are excluded from these applications)

Note1:

• Nominal system flow temperature Tf is the intended maximum flow temperature of a system for a particular application as recommended in codes of practice and other guidance documents.
• Maximum system service temperature Ts is the maximum service temperature that can occur intermittently during normal operation.
• System malfunction temperature Tm is the maximum temperature likely to be applied to pipes and fittings in the event of control thermostat failure or malfunction.

Note2:

• Certain fittings in the Polyplumb and Polyfit ranges are not suitable for all the Class S service conditions. The limitations are indicated against every applicable fitting in the Trade Price List eg "Cold Water Only".

The polybutylene material used in Polyplumb, Polyfit and Polysure pipes and fittings is WRAS approved. It is resistant to the buildup of scale. Normal levels of chlorine in UK domestic water supplies will not have an adverse effect on Polyplumb, Polyfit and Polysure. However Polyplumb, Polyfit and Polysure are not suitable for systems in which any further additives are ever added, periodically added, or regularly dosed in to or additional to the normal UK mains water supply, for example chlorine for swimming pools or those used for bacteria control or legionella prevention. Systems must not be flushed through with anything other than water from the normal UK mains water supply or a cleaning product at the correct concentration that is specifically recommended for plastic piping systems.

The use of corrosion inhibitor in central heating systems is acceptable provided that the inhibitor is specifically designed for plastic piping systems and guidance on their suitability should be sought from the inhibitor manufacturer prior to adding to the system.

Yes - a rotational type pipe cutter should be used on the copper pipe to ensure the pipe end is free from burrs. A pipe stiffener is not required when using copper pipes.

When using Polypipe fittings with copper pipes the insertion depth should be marked on the pipe as follows:

Copper pipe cannot be connected directly to Polysure fittings however as the pipe sizes are standard UK dimensions there are a number of ways in which a system containing our polybutylene and press fit fittings can be adapted to copper, for example, by using a Polyplumb or Polyfit push fit fitting or by using mating BSP adaptors.

Polypipe's polybutylene pipes are suitable for use with compression fittings but a pipe stiffener should always be used in the pipe before the compression nut is tightened.

The Polypipe product ranges are guaranteed for 25 years from the date of purchase for defects in materials or manufacture. The product must, however, be used in a normal domestic operation and must have been installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

Boilers and appliances:

All boilers and appliances must have safety devices such as thermostatic controls, cut-outs and pump over-run protection to make sure that they cannot operate above the Class S working temperature and pressure limits set out in the table of Class S service conditions above. Exposure to conditions in excess of those specified could result in failure of the pipes or fittings with the potential for serious injury.

Gas Boilers:

Pipe should only be connected to gas boilers where the pipe connection is outside the boiler casing and where the boiler incorporates a high limit thermostat and pump over-run facility. The pipe connections should be 350mm from the heat source. In all other situations, a section of metal pipe should be at least 1m in length. In addition for back boilers metal pipe work should be used within the fire opening extending out of the chimney brickwork.

Combination Boilers:

Where system connections are made to an incoming water supply pipe from a water meter or any other device which contains a check valve a suitable expansion vessel must be fitted to prevent the expansion of heated water back down the supply pipe. This is especially important where a water meter is fitted retrospectively. Solid Fuel & Oil Boilers (Cooking Ranges): Pipes and fittings must not be used for primary or gravity circuits from solid fuel boilers, cooking ranges or other uncontrolled heat sources. Pipes and fittings should not be fitted to a sealed system oil boiler.

Solar Panels / Systems

Pipes and fittings must not be used for connection of solar panels or any part of solar distribution that operates above the Class S working temperature and pressure limits set out in the table of Class S service conditions above.

Even though flexible polybutylene pipes have a higher resistance to bursting in freezing conditions than rigid pipe systems we recommend that pipes be insulated as required by Building or Water Regulations and to improve the energy efficiency of the system.

Where plastic pipe breaks the continuity of existing metal pipe, which may be used for earthing or bonding,this continuity should be re-instated by affixing permanent earth clips and a section of earth cable between the copper ends on either side of the plastic sections. Both the IEE and The Institute of Plumbing now give guidance on the earth bonding requirements of plastic pipe systems. As plastic pipes do not conduct electricity, installations generally require less equipotential bonding than metal systems although if in doubt exact guidance should be sought.

A standard chlorination flush for dis-infection purposes is fine however, Polypipe products should not be used in installations where a high level of chlorine will be present e.g. swimming pool pipe work systems.

Polypipe products are marketed and sold as systems. Polypipe guarantees this system for defects in materials and manufacture for a period of 25 years when used in conjunction with our published installation procedures. To uphold this guarantee we need to be sure that only Polypipe pipe and fittings are used.

Polypipe invests continually in manufacturing technologies which ensure that only products of the highest quality are delivered to our customers. These technologies ensure we manufacture our products to the strict requirements of BS7291, which amongst other things includes dimensional data for sizes and tolerances.This standard covers both polybutylene and polyethylene systems which have dimensional differences, particularly in pipe wall thicknesses, meaning that products and materials from different manufacturers should not be mixed.

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the dimensions and tolerances of other manufacturers' products which can affect the pipe stiffener used and the insertion depth of the pipe into a fitting to complete a joint.

Therefore we would always recommend that Polypipe pipes are always used only with Polypipe fittings We accept that our products will be used with copper pipes but this should only be done in accordance with our installation instructions.