AGA XR0104 : 2001

DISCLAIMER
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I. PLASTIC PIPING MATERIALS
  Kinds of Plastic Gas Piping Materials
    Thermoplastics
    Thermosetting Plastics
    Properties of Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Plastics
  Description of Piping Materials
    Polyethylene (PE)
      Properties of Polyethylene
      Classification of Polyethylene Materials
    Polyamide (Nylon)
      Classification of Polyamide Materials
    Polyamide 11
      Properties of Polyamide Materials
    Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
    Reinforced Epoxy Resin Pipe
  New Plastic Pipe Materials For Piping and Molded Fittings
  Factors Affecting the Performance of Plastic Piping
  Materials
    Engineering Properties of Plastic
      Viscoelasticity
      Creep
      Stress Relaxation
    Long-Term Strength
    Rate Process Method to Validate LTS of PE Materials
    Forecasting the Long-Term Strength of PE Fittings and
    Joints
    Additional Slow Crack Growth (SCG) Test Methods
    Temperature Resistance
    Chemical Resistance
    Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) for PE
    Materials
    Aging Resistance
    Weather Resistance
    External Loading
    Rapid Crack Propagation
    Flexibility
    Impact Resistance
    Permeability
CHAPTER II. ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLASTIC PIPE
            UTILIZATION
  Introduction
  Plastic Piping Systems
  Federal Department of Transportation Regulations
  Calculation of Design Pressure
    Design Factor
    Influence of Temperature on Selection of PE Pipe
    System Wall Thickness
  Influence of Temperature on Plastic Systems
    Thermal Stress
  Influence of Other Stresses on Plastic Piping Systems
  Dimensions
    Pipe
    Tubing
    Fittings .
  Joints
  Permeability of Polyethylene Pipe
  Flow of Natural Gas in Plastic Pipe
    Fully Turbulent Flow
    Partially Turbulent Flow
CHAPTER III. PROCUREMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE TESTS
  Model Specification
  Selection of Vendor
  ASTM Standards and Test Methods
    General
    Material
    Color
    Workmanship
    Dimensions and Tolerances
    Pipe Length and Pipe Coils
    Marking
    Tests for Pipe Quality
  User Qualification Testing
  Procurement Control
  User Acceptance Plan
    Declaration of Compliance
    Acceptance Testing
  Monitoring Field Performance
  Manufacturer Certification
CHAPTER IV. INSTALLATION OF PLASTIC PIPE
  Shipping, Handling and Storage
    Field Inspection Prior to Joining
  Cutting
  Plastic Joining Requirements
    General Provisions
    General Requirements
    Qualification and Training
    Adhesive Joints
      Basic Joining Techniques
    Solvent-Cement Joints
      Solvent Cement
      Basic Joining Techniques
    Hot Plate Heat Fusion Joints
      Socket Fusion
        Socket-Fusion Joining
      Butt Fusion
        Butt-Fusion Joining
      Saddle Fusion
        Saddle-Fusion Joining
    Fusion Using Different Resins
      Electrofusion Joints
        Electrofusion Couplings
        Electrofusion Saddles
    Mechanical Connectors and Transition Fittings
      Mechanical Fittings
      Flanges and Flange Adapters
      Transition Fittings and Other Special Purpose Fittings
    Service Connections
      Main Connections
    Service Head Adapters
    Insert Service Risers (Anodeless Riser)
  Provision for Valves
    Avoiding Excessive Torque
    Excess Flow Valves/Flow Limiters
  Bends and Branches
  External Stresses
  Allowance for Linear Thermal Expansion and Contraction
    Temperature Changes
  Trenching and Backfilling
  Pipe Placement In Trenches
  Plowing Techniques
    Plowing Methods
      Pull-in Method
      Plant-in Method
  Trenchless Digging
  Direct-Burial Requirements with Plastics
    Mains
    Services
  Plastic Insertion of Mains and Services
    General Considerations
    General Requirements
    Conventional Insertions
    "LIVE" Insertions
    Other Factors
CHAPTER V. PERSONNEL TRAINING, FIELD INSPECTION AND
           PRESSURE TESTING
  Personnel Training
    Areas of Training
    Typical Outline for Training
    Field Inspection
      Field Inspection Checklist
    Inspection of Field Joints
    Pressure Testing
    Precautions in Testing
      Pressure Tests
      Capping Off
      Joint Curing and Cooling
      Soap or Bubble Checks
      Leak Tracer
CHAPTER VI. MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND EMERGENCY CONTROL
            PROCEDURES
  Performance of Plastic Piping Systems
  Collection of Plastic Pipe Failures Data
  Plastic Piping System Surveillance
  Operating and Maintenance Code Requirements
  Emergency Isolation
  Static Electricity
    Additional Precautions
  Leakage Surveys
  Pipe Locating
  Chemical Environments
  Rodent Damage
  Repairs . .
  Excess Flow Valves
  Important Operating Precautions
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A. TEST METHODS AND PRACTICES FOR PLASTIC PIPES
APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY
APPENDIX C. OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
APPENDIX D. MODEL SPECIFICATION FOR POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC
            PIPE TUBING AND FITTING FOR NATURAL GAS
            DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX E. PLASTIC PIPE FAILURE REPORT FORM
APPENDIX F. SAMPLE-PLASTIC PIPE/FUSION INSPECTION CHECKLIST
APPENDIX G. NEW PLASTIC MATERIAL/PRODUCT EVALUATION
            CHECKLIST

This standard describes: Technical descriptions of various plastic gas piping materials; Engineering considerations; Procurement considerations and acceptance tests; Installation considerations; Training, Field Inspection and Pressure testing; Maintenance, operation and emergency control procedures.