Conductive FRP Piping Systems

Field Installation and Testing Procedures

Detailed Instructions – Conductivity Measurements
Updated Nov-18-2013

Scope

This document is intended to provide detailed procedures for field installation and testing of
conductive FRP pipe grounding mechanisms under the jurisdiction of ABS and the USCG. This
includes FIBERBOND® Series 20HV-C, 20FR-EC, 20FR16-C, 20FR20-C, 20JF-C and 20JF16-
C. The enclosed literature discusses installation, precautions, documentation, testing
preparation, and measuring procedures involved in the conductivity/resistivity measurement of
FRP piping equipped with an FRP grounding clamp.

References

IMO Resolution A.753(18), 04 Nov 93, “Guidelines for the Application of Plastic Pipes on
Ships” Paragraph 2.2.5.4

ABS 2008 (or latest version) MODU Rules Part 4, Ch.2, Sec.2 Clause 7.5.8, “Plastic Pipe -
Design - Electrical Conductivity” and Clause 7.7.4, "Plastic Pipe - Installation - Electrical
Conductivity"

ABS 2012 (or latest version) Steel Vessel Rules Part 4 Ch.6 Sec.3 Clauses 5.15.3 and 7.7

ISO14692 Petroleum & Natural Gas Industries - GRP Piping, Part 4 (Installation & Operation)
Section 5.5.4 and Part 2 (Qualification) 6.6.3.1 and (C2a material) G.2 (Annex G)

ASTM F 1173-2001, “Standard Specifications for Thermosetting Resin Fiberglass Pipe and
Fittings to be Used for Marine Applications” Paragraph 6.8, 7.17, and Annex A3

Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criteria specified below have been derived from the references listed above.
Conductivity measurements must be in strict accordance with these criteria. Any discrepancies
or changes in updated documentation that are found must immediately be brought to the attention
of the customer for review.

Maximum resistance per unit length of pipe, bends and fittings

1 X 105 /meter

Maximum resistance to ground from any point in the system

1 X 106 

1
Installation - Grounding Details

The maximum recommended distance between grounding clamps is 60 feet (18.3 meters).
However, the actual distance may differ from this, depending upon the particulars of the
installation. Shorter distances may be needed where sections of piping are isolated from the rest
of the system. Longer distances are acceptable as long as the system to ground resistance is 1 x
10^6 ohms or less.

Grounding leads shall be type #6 AWG TWN or THWN wire.

All uninsulated grounding wire shall be coated for corrosion resistance using CRC “Red
Urethane” or approved equal.

A mechanical connection must be used between the grounding lead and the grounding wire, such
as a servit, or buttin. Crimp-on, copper ring terminals and stainless steel hardware shall be used
for attachment to the structural support.

It is recommended that a grounding pad, approximately 3" x 3" (75x75mm) be used to attach the
grounding wire to the pipe. It is possible to use an FRP "wear pad" at one of the supports as a
grounding pad. However, care must be taken to ensure that both the grounding wire and the
wear pad are attached properly to the pipe. The general bonding procedure for the grounding
wire is slightly different than the bonding procedure for the wear pad. For the grounding wire,
the pipe surface and inside of the pad is lightly sanded. The conductive exterior is still intact
after surface preparation. Adhesive is then applied to bond the pad and wire to the pipe. For the
wear pad, a bead of adhesive is only applied around the exterior of the pad. This bead would be
insufficient to ensure a good bond for the grounding wire.

Installation - Procedure

Clean the pipe exterior to remove any resin, dust, debris,

etc. Remove 3 to 4 inches (approximately 75 to 100mm) of
insulation from the grounding wire. Uncoil and spread the
wire strands to provide as much contact area to the pipe
exterior. Bend the exposed wire strands into a “J” shape to
provide additional strength in the event that the wire is
pulled or tugged. (Figure 1)
Figure 1

Lightly grind the inner surface of the grounding pad to provide a roughened surface for bonding.

Lightly buff the exterior surface of the pipe to remove any excess resin and provide a clean
contact to the conductive exterior. Sandpaper or a sandpaper grinding disk will be suitable. DO
NOT USE AN ELECTRIC/AIR GRINDER FOR THIS APPLICATION. This may remove
excess material from the surface thus eliminating the conductive exterior.

Apply catalyzed adhesive to the inner surface of the grounding pad, approximately 1/16” thick
(1.5mm). 3M's 5200 Adhesive is a suitable one-part adhesive. A single 10.1 oz tube of this
adhesive is enough to attach 12 to 16 grounding pads (based on a 1/8" thick of adhesive applied
to the inner surface of the 3" x 3" grounding pad).
2
Position the grounding lead on the prepared surface of the
pipe. Apply the grounding pad to the exterior of the pipe
and “squeeze” the pad with a bonding strap. (Figure 2)

Remove any excess adhesive present due to “squeeze-out”.

Allow the adhesive to “set” (usually at least 30 minutes).

Apply the conductive exterior (conductive gel coat) to any

exposed areas and allow to cure. Figure 2

Figure 2

For FRP to FRP flange connections (including those

between metallic valves), it is normally not necessary to
"jump" the connection as long as there is a path to ground
for the entire system. In some cases, the bolts can actually
provide a path through the flanges. However, if it is
necessary, a grounding pad will be applied to both flanges.
(Figure 3) The grounding wires must be mechanically
Figure 3 (optional)
attached by the use of a servit, buttin, or other approved
device. DO NOT USE A SINGLE WIRE FOR THESE
CONNECTIONS. The flanges may need to be separated for future service requiring separation
of the grounding junction.

For FRP to metallic flange connections where the metallic flange connects to additional metallic
piping or large grounded items (such as pumps, equipment, etc.), it will not be necessary to
"jump" the flanged connection.

All grounding leads (excluding “jumpers”) will require 3/8” 316 SS Nylon
a mechanical attachment to earth. A 3/8-inch O.D. Insert Lock-nut
(9.5mm), non-insulated, copper ring terminal will be
attached to the end of all leads required for attachment
to earth. A mechanical connection such as a 316
stainless steel threaded stud shall be attached to an
grounding point. The copper ring terminal will be
attached to the grounding point, via this mechanical 3/8” 316 SS Hex-Head Nut
connection, by the use of a 3/8-inch (9.5mm) 316
Stud, welded to structural
stainless steel hex-head nut (bottom) and a 316 stainless steel (earthing point)
steel nylon insert lock-nut (top). (Figure 4) All grounding
Figure 4
pads come standard with a grounding lead approximately
3 feet (0.9 meters) in length.

3
Installation - Grounding Clamp Locations

A conservative rule is to provide a grounding pad for every 30-feet (9.1m) of piping, which is
roughly every second or third support. Piping near supports are convenient locations for
grounding clamps since structural steel is nearby for an earthing point and since the wear pad at
the support can serve the purpose of the grounding clamp as well.

However, the maximum distance between grounding clamps can reach up to 60-feet (18.2m) and
still provide an adequate path to ground. The FIBERBOND® Field Supervisor, in coordination
with the project inspector, should have some discretion during the field installation process as to
the suitability of these locations.

Field Testing - Precautions

Measurements of conductivity require the use of a power supply. Voltages as low as 60V dc can
pose a shock hazard and must be used with caution.

Be sure to follow all of the safety recommendations of the device used as the power supply. Be
sure you have been properly trained to use this device.

All products must be fully cured prior to testing. Experience has shown that results can vary
significantly during the first few days of curing. Therefore, it may be required to allow the
sample to cure for up to a week prior to testing.

Note that the ASTM D257 test procedure calls for a 500V power supply for measuring
resistance. However, a lower voltage power supply may be used, since this will provide
conservative results. If the results are not acceptable at the lower power supply, then a higher
voltage power supply (up to 500V) may be used. ISO14692 specifies a 100V power supply, but
allows up to 1000V for field testing.

Field Testing - Preparation

All test surfaces should be free of any contamination, which may affect the results. In particular,
be sure the surface of the product is free of salt, moisture, and dust.

A suitable electrode needs to be applied to the product exterior for testing. Examples of
materials used for electrode systems can be found in section 6 of ASTM D257-90 “Standard Test
Methods for D-C Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials.” Colloidal graphite, such
as Electron Microscopy Sciences #12693-30, is an acceptable material for the electrode. Nickel
print is an acceptable alternative. These materials are in liquid form and are brushed on to the
surface of the sample.

If colloidal graphite or other brushed on electrode is used, be sure to allow adequate time for the
liquid to dry prior to testing.

Note that ASTM D257-90 is for measuring surface resistivity and volume resistivity. Thus, the
geometry of the electrode system will differ from the geometry in this procedure.

4
Field Testing - Test Locations

The resistance needs to be measured from a point on the piping system (where the electrode has
been installed) to the grounding clamp. The maximum resistance across this distance must be
less than 1 x 10^6 ohms (1 mega-ohm). One lead from the ohm-meter would be placed at the
electrode (test point #1). The other lead would be placed at the end of the copper wire lead (test
point #2), where it is attached to earth.

Note: with the typical lead wires on an ohm-meter, the distance from the electrode to the
grounding clamp may only be a few feet. The tester may take this into account along with the
maximum distance from one grounding clamp to another when evaluating the test results.
Example:

A tester checks the resistance from the electrode to the nearest grounding clamp and measures a
resistance of 175,000 ohms (175 kilo-ohms). The distance from that electrode to the next-nearest
grounding clamp is 30-feet (Distance "X" in the figure below). Considering that the piping has a
maximum resistance of 100,000 ohms per meter (about 30,000 ohms per foot), we can calculate
a maximum possible resistance along the pipe of:

(30 * 30,000 + 175,000) = 1,075,000 ohms (1,075 kilo-ohms)

This would be the maximum calculated resistance along Distance "Z". We then need to divide
this value by 2 to determine the maximum calculated resistance from the midpoint to either
clamp:

0.5 * 1,075,000 = 537,500 ohms (538 kilo-ohms)

This is below the maximum limit of 1,000,000 ohms, so the results are acceptable. Note: this
procedure conservatively estimates the resistance along the length of the pipe (<= 100,000 ohms
per meter). Actual results will typically be much lower. The tester may refer to any previous
tests on the piping or may test the resistance from one electrode to another along the pipe to
determine the actual resistance.

5
Field Testing - Measurement and Documentation

Using the ohm-meter (or other suitable test device), measure the resistance in ohms between the
electrode and/or electrode/grounding pad.

For electrode to grounding pad measurements, record the resistance value from the ohm-meter as
the maximum resistance to earth. For electrode to electrode measurements, calculate the
resistance per length in ohms per meter.

If requested by the site inspector, generate a test report with the following information:

Identification of the material being tested (if a spool number or line number is available,
this is usually all that is required). If necessary, note the location of the grounding pad on
the piping isometric.

The date of test.

The type of electrode used, if other than colloidal graphite.

The type of power supply used, if above 500V.

Revision Log

Jan-04-2008: Removed “/meter” from the value for maximum resistance to ground from any
point in the system.

Jan-25-2011: Updated test report information; added example in the test locations section.

Jul-09-2012: Added sketch in the test locations section; updated references in the instructions to
the sketch; added ABS' Steel Vessel Rules to list of references.

Oct-11-2013: Added information on the adhesive used for bonding.

Nov-01-2013: Added caption for Fig.2. Added explanatory text to Fig.4.

Nov-18-2013: Updated guidance on grounding clamp locations.