High performance plastic gravity sewer system

The most significant development in structured wall sewer pipes in more than a decade is now available to installers across the UK: a Kitemarked plastic sewer pipe resistant to 4000 PSI water jetting

Several years in development, the Uponor Ultra Fortis is the world's first structured solid wall thermoplastic sewer pipe with the ability not only to meet stringent Kitemark certification to the standard, but also to resist water jetting pressures of up to 4000 psi in accordance with Water Industry Specification (WIS) 4-35-01 - with independent third party confirmation from BSI Product Services to prove it.

Fortis is designed for use in non-pressure gravity sewer applications and available in three diameters - 150mm, 225mm and 300mm.

All three sizes have achieved BSI Kitemark certification against WIS 4-35-01.

Taking the position of the industry's highest performing structured solid wall sewer pipe ever developed, resulting from the specific industry requirements, Fortis is easily identifiable, with its brown ribbed outer surface and blue inner surface.

It is robust and light in weight - a three-metre length of 300mm diameter Ultra Fortis weighs less than 25kg - significantly reducing the requirement for mechanical handling on site.

Its impact resistance is 50 times better than clay pipe and with up to 58% fewer joints per system and longer pipe lengths is quicker and easier to install.

Its smooth internal bore also provides excellent flow and self-cleansing characteristics.

DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND.

It was about a decade ago that some water companies, after a considerable amount of lobbying centred mainly on the issue of high pressure water jetting by the clay and concrete pipe manufacturers, suspended their acceptance of structured wall plastic sewer pipes pending further investigation.

When questioned, one of the companies (Thames Water Utilities) said that their requirement would be for a plastic pipe to resist 4000 psi jetting pressure to satisfy their concerns.

This was followed by Southern Water and Anglian Water requiring the same level of jetting resistance.

In July 2000 the revised Water Industry Standard 4-35-01 for thermoplastic structured wall pipes was published and stated: 'When tested in accordance with the specification the pipes shall withstand a jetting pressure of 180 bar (2610 psi) without damage'.

For a number of years the plastics industry attempted to have the 4000 psi restriction lifted without success, so the Uponor R + D team began developing a pipe that would achieve the required jetting resistance.

Fortis was actually introduced and accepted by water companies in 2005, although Uponor then needed to establish full UK manufacturing capability and obtain all relevant approvals for UK manufactured product before making the system fully available for installations.

With these approvals, Fortis is the first and only structured wall thermoplastic sewer pipe to conform to the 4000 psi requirement set by Thames Water Utilities, Southern Water and Anglian Water.

Southern Water Director of Operations, Andy Watson, recently stated: "Our requirement for an easy to install yet high performance adoptable sewer system has been met by Ultra Fortis from Uponor and we are happy to endorse and support the installation of this product".

Anglian Water requirements are listed on the WRc website, under 'supplementary documents', clearly stating, under 'Structured wall thermoplastic (foul, storm)': "Pipe must be capable of demonstrating a jetting resistance of 4000 psi (280 bar) without damage when tested in accordance with Section 6.10 of WIS 4-35-01".

At Thames Water, Don Ridgers recently stated: "Uponor have listened to our requirements for a 4000 psi water jetting resistant plastic sewer system and we welcome the development of Ultra Fortis.

We are happy to approve it for use in Thames Water".

"We're delighted to have developed a system that meets the requirements of these water companies" said Richard Hennessy, National Sales Manager for Uponor: "Fortis is an innovative product that will help silence those continuing to lobby for the installation of traditional pipe materials, and will re-establish structured wall plastic pipe as the enlightened choice for all gravity sewer systems 300mm and below".

From BSI Product Services, Andy Butterfield confirmed that: "BSI Product Services apply highly stringent testing and assessment methods to certify that products meet the required benchmarks set out by the standards.

Specifiers can now rest assured that the Uponor Ultra Fortis pipes meet the highest standards demanded by the Kitemark".

SALES AND LOGISTICS.

It is expected that Fortis will initially be installed for new build projects in the South of England, and stocks are available now in the diameters Uponor currently manufactures: 150mm, 225mm and 300mm.

All sales and logistics will be handled by Burdens, the specialist civil engineering materials supplier.

All technical enquiries should be directed to Lawrence Richards, Product Manager at Uponor.

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