What is barrier pipe?
The medium density polyethylene (MDPE) water pipe used in domestic plumbing systems may be non-porous as far as water is concerned, but some soil contaminants commonly found on previously-developed land will degrade the plastic. Without an impervious barrier, this may eventually put the water supply at risk.
Barrier pipe incorporates an inner aluminium layer bonded between the inner and outer polyethylene walls of the pipe. This is impervious to these substances and will prevent hydrocarbons and other associated chemicals from entering the water supply or degrading the inner lining of the pipe.
Barrier pipe can also be used to prevent oxygen and other gases from entering the system and causing corrosion.
When must I use barrier pipe?
If you are building on greenfield land (land that hasn’t previously been developed) and there is no known history of soil pollution, standard HDPE pipe is usually acceptable.
If you are building on brownfield (previously developed) land, you will need to submit a soil report (also known as a ground investigation report) to ensure there is no contamination. If contamination is found, barrier pipe will need to be installed.
If, however, you decide to install barrier pipe regardless of the soil conditions, by noting this on your planning application you can avoid the cost and delay of a soil report.
. You can easily identify barrier pipe as it will have brown stripes on the outer surface to indicate it contains a barrier.
What are the benefits of barrier pipe?
The main benefit of barrier pipe is that it safeguards drinking water quality whatever soil it may be laid in, but it is also a very versatile and easy to use product.
It is a flexible and lightweight pipe that is suitable for both new and replacement drinking water supply systems and can be used with most common installation techniques.
It features good end load resistance (the ability of a pipe joint to resist pipe pull out under tension) and as it doesn’t require thrust blocks or post-wrapping of the joints, cost savings can be made during installation.
What is the best brand of barrier pipe?
The most widely-known brand of barrier pipe is probably Protecta-line, as this is the original product and like many original product brands, it has acquired the sort of generic status shared by Hoover (for all vacuum cleaners) and Coke (for all cola soft drinks). It is the brand more likely to be specified on drawings. But does this make it a better product?
Probably not. All barrier pipe systems must comply with Section 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the specifications tend to be very similar (if not identical to) those of the Protecta-line system.
Take Puriton, for example. The specifications and performance exactly match those of Protecta-line, with the only difference being the lower price tag on the Puriton product. But selling cheaper doesn’t mean making cheaper – market-leading brands like Protecta-line know they can command a higher price because some customers will always choose the better-known brand for peace of mind.
Written by
Vicki James
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Vicki is a vital part of the marketing team; from reporting to copywriting, she ensures we complete projects on time.
