We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » ANSI/AWWA C906 HDPE Updates Important to Industry

ANSI/AWWA C906 HDPE Updates Important to Industry

October 22, 2021
No Comments
ANSI/AWWA C906 HDPE Updates Important to Industry

The 5th edition of the newly updated American Water Works Association (AWWA) C906-21 standard further clarifies the proper use and description  of PE4710 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure pipes and fittings. The revisions to ANSI/AWWA C906 are another step forward in the water industry’s increasing use of HDPE piping systems, according to Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., F. ASCE, co-chair, HDPE Municipal Advisory Board, and the senior director of engineering, Municipal and Industrial Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI). ANSI/AWWA C906-21 describes HDPE pressure pipes and fittings made from materials conforming to standard PE materials designation code PE4710 and has an effective date of Nov. 1, 2021.

“The goal of C906 has always been to provide the gold standard that clearly defines the use and manufacture of high-performance HDPE (i.e. PE4710) pressure pipes and fittings from four to 65 inches for waterworks with pressure classes (PCs) ranging from 100 psig to 335 psig operating at temperatures up to 80oF,” Rubeiz stated. “For temperatures above 80oF, refer to AWWA M55 for reducing the pressure class of HDPE. Removing non-PE4710 resins from the scope and throughout the standard is certainly another vote of confidence for PE4710; the updated standard provides those specifying pipe with a thoroughly vetted standard to use. These changes compliment the recent revisions and publications of ANSI/AWWA C901-20 (effective date Feb. 1, 2021, 7th edition) and AWWA M55-20 (2nd edition). All owners and designers should immediately update their specifications to require these most current standards and manual.”

According to C906-21, “the [HDPE] pipes and fittings are primarily intended for use in transporting potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water in either buried (open-cut and trenchless), marine or aboveground installations. In addition, “for PE4710, the PC calculations include a safety factor [SF] > 2 relative to the allowed operating stress,” and “the SF for Occasional Surge Pressure is > 2.” The standard cautions against “matching the ID of other pipe materials to the ID of HDPE for flow and PC [because that] will yield incorrect results.  The standard recommends the use of “PPI-PACE [www.PPIPACE.com] to evaluate the flow capacity of HDPE to other materials.”    

Other changes to the standard include the rewriting of the section on Oxidative Resistance (Section II.C), along with updating the definitions for design factor, hydrostatic design basis (HDB), standard dimension ration (SDR), and virgin PE compound.  Definitions for PE4710, PE compound, potable water, reclaimed water, safety factor (>2), sample, specimen, and wastewater have been added in Section 3.  Also, to ensure the pipe meets the appropriate ductility and tensile strength requirements, C906-21 has been update to clarify the alternate tests that shall be performed.

“It is also very important that the chlorine category requirement CC3 for potable water applications has been added to the C906-21 materials section (4.2.1.2),” Rubeiz explained. “This is because, in my opinion, the vast majority of utilities using chlorine and chloramines as residual disinfectants in the potable water system find that HDPE is the best solution for their piping systems and will provide lower installation costs, reduce maintenance costs and provide their communities with 100-plus year design life.  

“The diligent, hard work of AWWA, its 263 Committee and the Standards Council to continually improve C906 shows that HDPE is steadily gaining national acceptance as the preferred material for potable water and sewer piping systems.  And we thank AWWA and those industry professionals who participated in this latest update.” he said.

More information can be found here. 

Associations Contractors & Installers Engineers & Specifiers HVAC Industry Community News Plumbing PVF
  • Related Articles

    ANSI/AWWA C901 Update Heightens Standards for HDPE Water Service Pipes

    White House Updates ‘Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce’ List to Encompass Full Supply Chain of the Plumbing and Mechanical Industry

    World Plumbing Day 2016: PMI CEO Barbara Higgens says industry’s role as safety sentinels more important than ever​

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • Louisville Water Uncovers Ancient Check Valve Dating Back to the 1870s

  • NIBCO Announces Promotion of Dawn Bloch to Vice President, Customer Engagement

  • Winsupply Holds Grand Opening for Regional Distribution Center in Oklahoma City

  • PDI Acquires Plumbing, Appliance, Lighting, Electrical, and Irrigation Distributor W.A. Bragg & Co. Based in Augusta, Georgia

Featured Video

Merit video june

Merit Brass Merit Press Technology in Copper & Stainless to Save You Time & Money

Industry Events

  • 25Jun

    2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference

    Toronto,
  • 26Jun

    SWA 94th Annual Convention

  • 09Aug

    PVF Roundtable Q3 Networking Meeting

    Houston , TX
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw06 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe06 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc06 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Es07 2020
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2022 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing