National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 4437‑1:2024. It supersedes BS ISO 4437‑1:2014, which is withdrawn.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee PRI/88/2, Plastics piping for pressure applications.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 29 February 2024.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 138, Plastics pipes, fittings and valves for the transport of fluids, Subcommittee SC 4, Plastics pipes and fittings for the supply of gaseous fuels.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 4437‑1:2014), which has been technically revised.

The main changes are as follows:

PE 100-RC type materials with enhanced resistance to slow crack growth (SCG) have been added;
Annex A has been added, discussing the performance of PE 100-RC type materials with enhanced resistance to slow crack growth (SCG) and giving additional information for installation techniques;
test methods have been updated and new test methods have been added for PE 100-RC materials.

A list of all parts in the ISO 4437 seriescan be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

The ISO 4437 series specifies the requirements for a piping system and its components made from polyethylene (PE) compounds, which is intended to be used for the supply of gaseous fuels.

This document covers materials and the general aspects of the plastics piping system.

Requirements and test methods for components of the piping system are specified in ISO 4437‑2, ISO 4437‑3 and ISO 4437‑4.

Characteristics for fitness for purpose of the system are covered in ISO 4437‑5.

Recommended practice for design, handling and installation is given in ISO/TS 10839.

1 Scope

This document specifies materials and the general aspects of polyethylene (PE) piping systems in the field of the supply of gaseous fuels.

It also specifies the test parameters for the test methods referred to in this document.

In conjunction with ISO 4437‑2, ISO 4437‑3, ISO 4437‑4 and ISO 4437‑5, this document is applicable to PE pipes, fittings and valves, their joints, and joints with components of PE and other materials intended to be used under the following conditions:

a maximum operating pressure (MOP) up to and including 10 bar1, at a reference temperature of 20 °C for design purposes;
an operating temperature between −20 °C and 40 °C.

For operating temperatures between 20 °C and 40 °C, derating coefficients are defined in ISO 4437‑5.

The ISO 4437 series covers a range of MOPs and gives requirements concerning colours.

It is the responsibility of the purchaser or specifier to make the appropriate selections from these aspects, taking into account their particular requirements and any relevant national regulations and installation practices or codes.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 Terms related to geometry

3.2 Terms related to material

3.3 Terms related to material characteristics

3.4 Terms related to service conditions

3.5 Terms related to joints

4 Symbols and abbreviated terms

4.1 Symbols

4.2 Abbreviated terms

5 Material

5.1 Material of the components

5.2 Compound

5.3 Fusion compatibility

5.4 Classification and designation

5.5 Design coefficient and design stress

5.6 Change of compound formulation

Bibliography

BS ISO 4437-1:2024

Plastics piping systems for the supply of gaseous fuels. Polyethylene (PE) - General

Current, Under Review

Published:

29 Feb 2024