Storage & Handling
Introduction
Polyethylene pipes and fittings are lightweight and easy to handle compared with many other materials, while offering excellent resilience, flexibility, and impact resistance. However, they can be scored by sharp edges and may distort under load, particularly at higher temperatures. Pipes and fittings should therefore not be dropped, indented, crushed, or subjected to impact, and rough handling during loading and unloading should be avoided.
General
Pipes and fittings must not be stored or transported adjacent to heat sources such as engine exhausts, boilers, naked flames, or hot water or steam lines. While PE is highly resistant to low temperatures, its impact resistance gradually decreases as temperatures fall below 0 °C. Therefore, additional care should be taken to avoid damage from impact in cold conditions.
Care should also be taken when handling pipes and fittings in wet or frosty conditions, as surfaces may become slippery.
As with all pipe materials, contact with oils, petrol, solvents, or chemicals that may adversely affect future performance should be avoided.
For pressure applications, scores or scratches deeper than 10% of the wall thickness should generally be avoided.
Polyethylene is combustible; however, there are no restrictions on the type of fire extinguisher that may be used.
Generally, only webbing slings should be used when lifting PE pipes by crane. Vacuum lifting may also be used, but chains, wire ropes, and hooks should be avoided.
During the storage and issuing of pipes and fittings, the “first in, first out” principle should preferably be observed.
Straight Lengths
Lifting, handling, storage and transport of straight lengths
Lifting of individual pipes or pipe packs up to 6 m in length can be carried out using a forklift. To prevent drooping of long packs or individual pipes, and the subsequent scuffing of pipe ends, two lifting points or spreader bars should be used for pipes or pipe packs exceeding 6 m in length.
Appropriate personnel exclusion zones should be maintained when lifting PE pipes to avoid injury if a pipe slips.
Straight pipe lengths stacked for storage or transport should be continuously and evenly supported to minimise distortion.
Pipes with end treatments such as belling, forming, flanging, or pre-assembled fittings should be stacked so that the ends are free from loading. If necessary, the ends should be protected from damage. Pipes cut and squared for butt fusion should receive special attention to ensure they are handled—particularly during transport—in a manner that keeps the pipe ends free from damage.
If different SDRs of pipe are stored in the same stack, the lowest SDR (thickest wall) should always be placed at the bottom.
Pipes may be nested inside each other for transport or storage, provided distortion does not occur.
When being transported, pipes should not be restrained in a manner likely to cause damage.
Coils
Lifting, handling, storage and transport of coils
Larger diameter coiled polyethylene pipes, for example those with diameters equal to or greater than 63 mm, can be very heavy and pose particular handling and storage risks. The consequences of coils falling or slipping should always be considered serious, as significant injury may occur. This is particularly relevant for coils stored in a vertical or near-vertical position.
For unloading heavier coils, delivery sites should be equipped with cranes or forklifts, or crane-trucks should be used.
When lifting coils, slings must be placed around the entire coil. If coils are lifted using a forklift, contact points must be protected and lifting must support the entire coil. Fork tines should not be inserted between the windings of a coil.
Coiled pipe may be stored and transported laid flat on a continuous surface, such as pallets, but only to a height that prevents distortion of the bottom convolutions. Pipe coils may also be stored and transported in a near-vertical position. Care must be taken to ensure the supports against which the coils are leaned are strong enough to withstand the load. Care should also be taken to ensure the outer loops of vertically supported coils are not damaged or flattened during transport.
When releasing coils and uncoiling PE pipe, it must be remembered that the coil is under tension and must be released in a controlled manner. The end of the coil should be restrained at all times, and the straps released steadily, one at a time. If the coil has bands at different layers, they should be released sequentially starting from the outer layers.
The amount of energy stored within the coil depends on the pipe size, pipe class, and coil diameter. This stored energy can be substantial and may cause significant injury or damage if released in an uncontrolled manner. The person releasing the restraining straps should stand in a safe position at the side of the coil.
Fabricated Fittings
Lifting, handling, storage and transport of compression, mechanical and fabricated fittings
Compression, mechanical, and fabricated fittings should be stored, handled, and transported in a manner that prevents scoring of the fitting body and damage to sealing surfaces. Wherever possible, fittings should remain in their original packaging until required for use. Larger fittings may be strapped to pallets to prevent movement or falling and to minimise the risk of damage or injury to personnel.
Electrofusion Fittings
Lifting, handling, storage and transport of compression, mechanical and electrofusion fittings
Electrofusion fittings are typically stored and transported in cartons on pallets and should be handled in accordance with standard safe working practices. Fittings must be stored under cover in dry conditions and kept in their original packaging, which protects the weld surfaces from contamination, until ready for use.
