Blogs

Plastic Pipe Database Committee Releases Report on Plastic Pipe Performance

By John Erickson posted 05-26-2016 01:20 PM

  
On May 26, the Plastic Pipe Database Committee (PPDC) released the latest update on in-service failures of plastic pipe and components. The PPDC is composed of representatives from APGA, the American Gas Association (AGA), Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). For the past 16 years, the PPDC has been receiving information on in-service plastic piping system failures and/or leaks with the objective of identifying possible performance issues. Company participation in this initiative is voluntary. Matt Stennett of Middle Tennessee Natural Gas and Jon Mason of Chambersburg, Penn., represent APGA on the PPDC. The full report can be found here.

The purpose of the PPDC data collection and analysis is to identify possible problems with plastic pipe and components such as the brittle failures that occurred with Century Utility Products polyethylene (PE) pipe produced from 1970 through 1974, Aldyl A PE pipe manufactured from 1970 through 1972 and pipe manufactured from PE 3306 resin. No additional problem materials were identified in the latest report.

The PPDC effort has proven invaluable in maintaining confidence in the continued safe use of plastic pipe in distribution piping. APGA strongly encourages all members to voluntarily submit data to the PPDC. Even if a utility has had no plastic pipe failures, that information is crucial to the effort. For information on the PPDC go to www.apga.org/programs/plasticpipedata. For questions on this article, please contact John Erickson of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0834 or by email at jerickson@apga.org.

Permalink