For more information contact DIPRA
or any of its member companies.
Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
An association of quality producers
dedicated to the highest pipe standards
through a program of continuing research
and service to water and wastewater
professionals.
P.O. Box 190306
Birmingham, AL 35219
205.402.8700 Tel
www.dipra.org
Member Companies
AMERICAN Ductile Iron Pipe
P.O. Box 2727
Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2727
www.american-usa.com
Canada Pipe Company, Ltd.
55 Frid St. Unit #1
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4M3 Canada
www.canadapipe.com
GUIDELINES
McWane Ductile
P.O. Box 6001
Polyethylene Encasement
Coshocton, Ohio 43812-6001 Installation Guide
www.mcwaneductile.com
U.S. Pipe
Two Chase Corporate Drive
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35244
www.uspipe.com
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Last Revised:
August 2016
A Step-by-Step Follow these steps for
Guide For Installing easy installation
Polyethylene Encasement
on Ductile Iron Pipe
Polyethylene encasement is placed on Step 1
Ductile iron pipe to prevent corrosion. It does Cut a section of polyethylene tube approximately two feet
longer than the pipe section. Remove all lumps of clay, mud,
not have to be sealed watertight, but it should cinders, or other material that might have accumulated on the
be installed so that no dirt or bedding material pipe surface during storage. Slip the polyethylene tube around
comes in contact with the pipe. All lumps of the pipe, starting at the spigot end. Bunch the tube accordion
fashion on the end of the pipe. Pull back the overhanging end of
clay, mud, cinders, etc., on the pipe surface
the tube and circumferentially tape it to the barrel of the pipe
should be removed before the pipe is covered behind the insertion line. After assembly of the joint, the tape
with polyethylene. If the polyethylene is should be as close to the face of the bell as possible but not so
damaged, it must be repaired before the close to the spigot end that it interferes with the gasket.
trench is backfilled.
Small holes or tears can be repaired with a
piece of tape placed over the hole. Large holes
or tears should be repaired by taping another Step 2
piece of polyethylene over the hole. Take up the slack in the tube along the barrel of the pipe to make
a snug, but not tight, fit. Fold excess polyethylene back over the
top of the pipe and use pieces of tape across the fold to securely
Overlaps, ends, and repairs can be held in
hold it. This step is extremely important to avoid the sagging of
place with tape or plastic tie straps until the the film at the bottom of the pipe.
trench is backfilled. Other general tips for
proper installation include:
• Quality of installation is more important
than the actual sequence followed.
Step 3
• When lifting polyethylene-encased pipe
Dig a shallow bell hole in the trench bottom at the joint location
with a backhoe, use a fabric-type “sling” or to facilitate installation of the polyethylene tube. Lower the pipe
padded cable to protect the polyethylene. into the trench and make up the pipe joint with the preceding
section of pipe.
• When installing polyethylene encasement
below the water table or in areas subject
to tidal action, seal both ends of the tube
as thoroughly as possible with adhesive
tape or plastic tie straps at the joint Step 4
overlap. Additionally, place circumferential Move the cable to the bell end of the pipe and lift the pipe
wraps of tape or tie straps at 2-foot slightly to provide enough clearance to easily slide the tube over
intervals along the barrel of the pipe to the remaining barrel of the pipe. Snugly fold over the excess
wrap using tape to hold it in place. Note: Make sure that no dirt
help minimize the space between the or other bedding material becomes trapped between the wrap
encasement and the pipe. and the pipe.
Wet Trench Installation
Step 5
Secure the polyethylene in place behind the
preceding bell by using a circumferential wrap of Step 1
tape. Make the overlap of the polyethylene tube by Cut a section of polyethylene tube approximately two feet
pulling back the bunched polyethylene from the longer than the pipe section. Remove all lumps of clay, mud,
preceding length of pipe and ensure there is at least a cinders, or other material that might have accumulated on the
12-inch overlap. pipe surface during storage. Slip the polyethylene tube around
the pipe, starting at the spigot end. Bunch the tube accordion
fashion on the end of the pipe. Pull back the overhanging end of
the tube and circumferentially tape it to the barrel of the pipe
behind the insertion line. After assembly of the joint, the tape
should be as close to the face of the bell as possible but not so
close to the spigot end that it interferes with the gasket.
Step 6
Place another circumferential wrap of tape on the overlapping
polyethylene, securing it to the spigot side of the joint. Step 2
Take up the slack in the tube along the barrel making a snug fit
and fold over the excess polyethylene. Apply circumferential
wraps of tape every two feet until you run out of room. This is
extremely important to avoid the sagging of the film
at the bottom of the pipe.
Step 7
Repair all small rips, tears, or other tube damage with adhesive
Step 3
tape. If the polyethylene is badly damaged, repair the damaged
Dig a shallow bell hole in the trench bottom, lower the pipe and
area with a sheet of polyethylene and seal the edges of the
make up the joint. Slide the sling to the bell end and lift slightly
repair with adhesive tape.
to provide clearance to slide the encasement to the end.
Continue to snugly fold over and tape at 2-foot intervals to
secure the polyethylene.
Step 4
Step 8 Make the overlap of the polyethylene tube by pulling back the
Carefully backfill the trench according to the procedures in bunched polyethylene from the preceding length of pipe and
AWWA C600 Standard. To prevent damage during backfilling, ensure there is at least a 12” overlap. Secure the polyethylene
allow adequate slack in the tube at the joint. Backfill should be with a circumferential wrap of tape at the overlap and behind
free of cinders, rocks, boulders, nails, sticks, or other materials the preceding bell.
that might damage the polyethylene. Avoid damaging the
Step 5
polyethylene when using tamping devices.
Repair any damage to the polyethylene and backfill according to AWW
C600 as described in Steps 8 & 9 of Modified Method A.
Tapping Polyethylene- Step 3
Encased Pipe
.
When tapping polyethylene-encased
Ductile iron pipe, the following
procedure is recommended:
After making the direct service
connection, inspect the entire
Step 1
circumferential area for damage and
make any necessary repairs.
Step 4
Wrap two or three layers of polyethylene
adhesive tape completely around the pipe
to cover the area where the tapping ma-
chine and chain will be mounted.
Wrap any connected copper service line
within three (3) feet of the pipe with
Step 2
polyethylene.
Step 5
Backfill trench as described before.
Remember: If you have . any problems or
questions about installing polyethylene
encasement, contact DIPRA or one of its
Mount the tapping machine on the pipe member companies.
area covered by the polyethylene adhe-
sive tape. Then make the tap and install
the corporation stop directly through
the tape and polyethylene.
