The Truth About Joining Polyethylene Pipes

• Heat fusion of polyethylene pipe is, basically, just a matter of melting two plastic piping components together. The necessary equipment uses normal electrical sources, usually from a standard generator.
• The process involves cleaning the pipe, preparing the surface through either abrading it or facing joint ends parallel, heating with a special apparatus, and cooling under pressure - it's just that simple!
• The process has nothing in common with "welding" steel pipe, and virtually none of the hazards.

• Generic fusion procedures, approved by most major pipe manufacturers, have been developed by the PPI.
• Unskilled workers can be taught the basics in half an hour, and be competent within a few hours.
• Training is widely available from pipe manufacturers, distributors, and equipment manufacturers.
• The process has a broad range of parameters to produce good joints.
• The necessary equipment is widely available for both purchase and rental.

• Fusion joining of PE pipe is not new! In the US, it has been used for over 30 years in the distribution systems of natural gas utilities, and has a remarkable safety record. In Europe, where PE pipe is often the predominant water pipe, it has been used since the 1960s.
• In the 1994 San Fransisco earthquake, authorities were astonished at how the joints withstood the stresses created by the tremors - better than any other piping product!
• The joint is stronger that the pipe itself and the only water pipe joining method that is absolutely leak proof!
• The natural gas industry has used a simple visual verification method for over 30 years to inspect joints. This process, combined with normal hydrostatic testing, has yielded an extraordinary record for both safety and efficiency.