BS ISO 4427-1:2019

What is ISO 4427-1 - Polyethylene (PE) plastics piping systems about?   

The ISO 4427 series of standards are a set of system standards that specify the requirements for a piping system and its components when made from polyethylene (PE). ISO 4427-1 is the first part in the multi-series that is applicable to the plastics piping systems for water supply and for drainage and sewerage under pressure. It details best practices to ensure safety, reliability, and high-performance of PE plastic piping systems.  

ISO 4427-1 specifies the general aspects of polyethylene (PE) compounds for the manufacture of pressure pipes and fittings (mains and service pipes) for buried or above-ground applications, intended for the conveyance of: 

• Water for human consumption 
• Raw water prior to treatment 
• Drainage and sewerage under pressure 
• Vacuum sewer systems 
• Water for other purposes 

In conjunction with other parts of the ISO 4427 series, ISO 4427-1 is applicable to PE pipes and fittings, their joints and to joints with components made of PE and other materials, intended to be used under the following conditions: 

• A maximum allowable operating pressure (PFA) up to and including 25 bar1 
• An operating temperature of 20 °C as the reference temperature 

Note: For other operating temperatures, guidance is given in Annex A. 

Who is ISO 4427-1 - PE plastics piping systems for?  

ISO 4427-1 on PE plastic piping systems is useful for:  

• Manufacturers and suppliers of PE  
• Manufacturers and suppliers of PE pipes and fittings 
• Construction industry  
• Contractors  
• Civil engineers  
• Specifiers and installers  
• Local bodies  

Why should you use ISO 4427-1 - PE plastics piping systems? 

PE plastic pipes are a flexible, lightweight and corrosion-resistant piping product. These benefits make it an ideal piping material for a broad variety of applications such as potable water service or distribution lines, natural gas distribution, lawn sprinklers, sewers, waste disposal, and drainage lines.   

ISO 4427-1 provides guidance on materials, compounds and their physical characteristics and minimum required strength (MRS), and fusion compatibility. Requirements, test parameters and reference standards for the respective test methods are also provided. As a result, you can ensure characteristics such as tensile strength, resistance to slow crack growth, and resistance to weathering, amongst others, are exhibited by the PE compound.  

By selecting the right materials for pipes, fitting and joints in compliance with ISO 4427-1, you can ensure that product failure is avoided and overall structural integrity of the external water conveyance systems is maintained. This can ultimately prevent any potential hygiene and health risks. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS ISO 4427-1:2019 supersedes BS ISO 4427-1:2007+A1:2015, which is withdrawn. BS ISO 4427-1:2019 includes some technical changes with respect to BS ISO 4427-1:2007+A1:2015. These include:  

• Update of the normative references 
• Technical consistency with ISO 4437-1 (see Reference [1] in the Bibliography