Our Range of Pipe and Fittings Can Broadly Be Split into Five Sections:
Industrial Pressure PVC (PVCU/UPVC), ABS and CPVC Plastic Pipe Systems: including
pipes, fittings and accessories. We supply metric mm ranges (PN6, PN10 & PN16), UK imperial inch
ranges (Class C, D, E & T), USA imperial inch ranges (Schedule 40, 80 & 120) and clear PVC pipe
ranges, in both metric and imperial.
All our PVC and ABS pipe systems are manufactured to the relevant standards for
that
component which include, but are not limited to:
Component
Inch
Metric
Pipe
BS3505/6, BS5391, BS EN 1452-2, SCH40 ASTM D1785 & 2241
BS EN 1452-2, DIN 8061/2
Solvent Weld Fittings
BS4346, BS5292 BS EN 1452-3, SCH40 ASTM D2467 & 2466
DIN8063, ISO727, UNI7442-75 & KIWA K504
Threaded Fittings
BS21, DIN2999, ISO7, ASTM D2464
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In addition, all our PVC and ABS pressure pipe and fittings are WRAS approved, and
our
Griffon and Tangit ranges of solvent cement are also WRAS approved and conform to BS4346-3.
PVC (PVCU/UPVC) and PPs Ventilation and Ducting: where we supply
the full range of Hoka and Beck plastic ducting fittings, as well as PPs and PVC thin-walled lightweight plastic
pipe to match.
Flexible Hoses and Connectors: where we supply a range of
high-quality
PVC and other plastics
spiral suction and delivery hoses and tubes, layflat hose, clear braided hose and a range of couplings to match.
PE Pipe and Fittings: This is split into two ranges; the first
being blue water
pipe (sometimes
referred to as alkathene) and compression fittings, and the second being GPS Black PE100 pipe, Electrofusion
(EF) and long spigot
fittings.
Furniture Grade Plastic Pipe and Fittings: Specially manufactured
PVC with a shock resistant formula that produces a range of white, black and coloured products ideal for making
frames, pool and medical
furniture and a myriad of other projects.
Which Type of Plastic Pipe Do You Need?
With different ranges, specifications and standards of plastic pipe, it is
sometimes difficult to decide which system is best for you. The table below gives some information about the
individual types of plastic pipe system along with a link to more information:
System Type
Uses
PVC Inch Pressure Pipe Systems
Most older PVC pressure pipe systems in the UK are installed in inch
sizes, as before the 1990s that was all that was available. More recently, however, metric systems have been
gaining popularity as there is a wider range of fittings available. It is recommended that expansions to
existing inch systems are carried out using inch sizes to avoid confusion.
Inch PVC pressure pipe is typically used in process lines in factories, swimming pools and aquaculture. PVC
pipe is very easy for non-skilled workers to install, with no special tools and only a small amount of
training required.
PVC Sch40 Pressure Pipe Systems
With the exception of 2 ½", all plastic pipe sizes in the
North American Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe systems are compatible with the inch sizes you will find in
the UK, so the fittings and pipe are interchangeable. The exception is where threads are
involved; the North American systems will generally use NPT threads, which are not compatible with the BSP
threads used in the UK and Europe. Applications for Sch40 pipe are much the same as above; however, as it is
manufactured in white PVC as standard, some installers prefer to use it in high hygiene and food processing
applications, as it is easier to notice dirt build up. As with the inch sizes above, Sch40 pipe is
solvent welded and so easy and quick to install.
PVC Metric Pressure Pipe Systems
The use of metric PVC in the UK is a relatively recent occurence and
started primarily because of the irrigation industry, for which many parts came from Europe. It is now
firmly established in the UK and accounts for about 50% of all new PVC pipe systems installed. Still the
standard of choice in agriculture and irrigation, it finds favour in many other applications (process lines,
water treatment, fish farming etc.) because it has a larger range of sizes and also a wider range of
fittings available. The solvent weld process of connection for metric PVC pipe makes installation very fast
and straight forward.
PVC Clear Pipe Systems
Clear plastic pipe systems are only available in PVC material. At
present, only the inch sizes have a range of fittings available to match, with metric availability being
limited to pipe only. Metric clear pipe is substantially cheaper than inch sizes as it is manufactured in
options with thinner walls, which means less material needs used and so the cost is lowered. Clear plastic
pipe is
most often used for viewing liquids in process, building demonstration units or as sight glasses. Like all
PVC
plastic pipe, the clear pipe is built using a painted-on cement to both the pipe and socket, although care
must be taken not to let cleaner or glue splash or run down the pipe as it will affect the clarity.
ABS Pressure Pipe Systems
As well as having a different chemical compatibility profile to PVC,
ABS has a different ductility profile. This makes it the plastic pipe of choice for systems that use a cold
or
below freezing fluid, such as glycol circuits, ice cream factories and ice slurries in fish plants, as the
pipe is far more robust than PVC at these temperatures. ABS is also often used in the brewing industry. If
required, ABS can be cemented to PVC as long as PVC pipe cement is used; however, our recommendation for
this
type of join would be maximum pressure of half that of the normal working pressure.
CPVC Pressure Pipe Systems
CPVC or Corzan is used where plastic pipe is required
and the temperature is higher than that which can be handled by PVC or ABS (60°C and 70°C
respectively). CPVC will handle up to 85°C and even as high as 95°C for short periods. CPVC also has
a higher
chemical resistance than standard PVC and so is used in harsh applications. Installation is by solvent
weld.
Threads are advised to be kept to a minimum. This is because plastic pipe has a coefficient of expansion two
to three times higher than metal pipes, and so when the temperature of a CPVC system is heated up or cooled,
seals in threaded connections can break, leading to leaking.
PVC Ventilation Systems
This is a system of thin-walled, large diameter plastic pipe and is
used for ventilation and ducting in areas where there is a high risk of corrosion of standard galvanised
spiral ducting. Applications include swimming pools, public aquariums, shipping and clean room facilities.
The lightweight nature of this pipe and its ability to be easily painted also make it a favourite for set
design and prop construction. Joining of PVC vent pipe is by solvent weld or flanges, although some
installers prefer to hot air plastic weld it.
PPs Ventilation Systems
PPs is a modified type of Polypropylene which has added flame resistance (Note: "PPs" should not be confused
with "polyphenylene sulfide" , termed "PPS", which has very different properties). PPs ventilation pipe and
fittings have a higher operating temperature (90°C) and a very different chemical resistance profile to PVC.
PPs is resistant to solvents and alcohols. PPs cannot be solvent welded or glued, it must be plastic welded
and is only suitable for interior use.
MDPE and Compression Systems
Supplied in either blue or black, only the blue pipe has a WRAS
approval for potable (drinking) water. MDPE is the choice plastic pipe for long runs of small-bore pipe
<63mm. It is supplied in coils and is very tough, meaning that it can be buried. It is the main type of
plastic pipe used in domestic water supply in the UK. A limitation of all types of PE pipe is that it
cannot be cemented or glued, so compression fittings must be used. The compression fittings are much
longer than an equivalent PVC or ABS pipe fitting and this, combined with the higher flexibility of the
pipe, makes it unsuitable for more complex pipe arrangements.
Furniture Grade
This is a specially manufactured PVC using a formula that greatly
increases the ductility of the plastic pipe and fittings, making it shatter proof and strong enough to
build
structures and furniture from. It is not suited to applications for fluid transfer as the fittings are
not
pressure rated or tested to WRAS drinking water conformity.
A Brief History of Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd
Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd are a leading UK stockist and distributor of industrial
PVC,
ABS, CPVC and PE pressure pipe and fittings, and PVC and PPs Ventilation Pipe Systems. As one of the very
early
adopters of online shopping cart systems, we have been supplying industrial plastic pipe systems both on and
offline
since 2004. Our sales team have great product knowledge when it comes to the parts we supply. This means they
are only too happy to provide guidance on the assembly of our parts and any technical specifications you may
need to know before you plan your project.
Another way that we differ from most of our online competition is that we have
our
own warehouse and hold our own stock of PVC and other plastic pipe systems, which we import directly from
manufacturers in
Europe and Asia. Sadly, very few PVC, ABS or other pressure pipes and fittings are manufactured in the UK
these
days; however, we make sure that we regularly visit all our suppliers, wherever they are in the world, to
assure
ourselves that they are manufacturing to the correct specifications and have a consistency of quality.
Since launching our online store back in 2004, with just a small, basic range of
plastic
pipe and fittings, the internet and people's use of it has changed dramatically. Here at Plastic Pipe Shop
Ltd,
we have grown with the internet, through introducing a customer feedback system that now has over 700
reviews
(with over 98% positive), quick order forms, a quote generator facility, a properly functioning part number
search facility and also our blogs and YouTube
instructional and product videos. Our
aim
online is
not to be the most fancy, trendy, up-to-date website, but with over five thousand plastic pipe related
products, is to provide an easy to navigate, intuitive site, which gives you the information you need
without
all the flannel!
In recent years we have also produced a printed plastic pipe systems catalogue
-
it's all well and good having everything online, but more often than not thumbing through a catalogue is
still
a lot quicker and easier! If you'd like one, just email or ring us and we'll send one out to you.
Our aim is to supply a correct specification of plastic pipe and fittings. As
well
as stocking our own ranges in our warehouses, we also ship direct from, and have excellent relationships
with,
most of the main plastic pipe system manufacturers' warehouses throughout the UK. These include Effast,
Plimat,
Cepex, Spears, Hoka, Beck, Durapipe and GF. If you require a specific manufacturer's parts, be
it PVC, ABS, PE pressure or ventilation, we can quickly source them for you at a very competitive price. This
flexibility
enables us to supply you, the customer, with BS and DIN spec rated parts (always produced in ISO 9001
facilities)
that
will perform the task you require to finish the job, even if they are out of stock at one or more suppliers.
We
know EXACTLY what it's like to be in the middle of a plastic pipe fitting job and, even with the best
planning in
the
world, find that you are short a couple of components.
We have recently started a relationship with a North American manufacturer to
bring
furniture quality (which means nice and shiny as well as practical and functional!) PVC pipes, tubes and
fittings to the UK, and now hold stocks of these at our main warehouse for next working day delivery to 99% of
the
UK.
The range includes several neat fittings such as 3-way and 4-way corners, crosses and slip tees, as well
as
different colours.
The Place to Find Plastic Pressure Pipe
Go into any DIY store in the USA and you will find a whole aisle full of plastic
pressure pipe. In North America,
it seems that PVC pipe in particular is used for lots of different types of plumbing, both around the home and
in industry. In the UK, it is a
completely different story. Pressure pipe is only really used in industrial applications, and until recent years
the quest to find a stockist of
plastic pressure pipe proved fruitless as there were so few companies that stocked it. With the advent of the
internet and next day shipping to
most parts of the UK, it is now a lot easier to find. We are one of the few stockists of PVC, ABS and other
types of industrial pressure pipe
in the UK, and although located in Stirling, can send pipe lengths and boxes of fittings to someone at the other
end of the country as easily
as someone just down the road. So the question of "Where can I buy pressure pipe in the UK" has been answered.
If you are not sure which type of pipe, material or fitting you require then our
technical staff will do their best to help you
and show you the best way to tackle your job.