BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

921:1995
BS 2782-11:
Method
1127A:1995
Incorporating

Plastics piping
Amendment No. 1

systems —
Thermoplastics pipes —
Determination of
resistance to internal
pressure at constant
temperature

The European Standard EN 921:1994 has the status of a

British Standard
BS EN 921:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical

Committee PRI/61, Plastics piping systems and components, upon which the
following bodies were represented:

British Gas plc

British Plastics Federation
British Plumbing Fittings Manufacturers’ Association
British Valve and Actuator Manufacturers’ Association
Department of the Environment (British Board of Agrément)
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Property and Buildings Directorate)
Department of Transport
Electricity Association
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Health and Safety Executive
Institute of Building Control
Institute of Materials
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Gas Engineers
Institution of Water and Environmental Management
National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical Services
Contractors
Pipeline Industries Guild
Plastics Land Drainage Manufacturers’ Association
Society of British Gas Industries
Society of British Water Industries
Water Companies Association
Water Services Association of England and Wales

The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:

Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association

ERA Technology Ltd.
RAPRA Technology Ltd.
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Board
for Materials and Chemicals,
was published under the
authority of the Standards
Board and comes Amendments issued since publication
into effect on
15 June 1995 Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 03-1999
8962 December Indicated by a sideline in the margin
1995
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PRI/61
Draft for comment 92/47742 DC

ISBN 0 580 24145 9

 BS EN 921:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Introduction 3
1 Scope 3
2 Normative references 3
3 Principle 3
4 Apparatus 3
5 Test objective and choice of end caps 6
6 Test pieces 6
7 Calibration of the apparatus and calculation of the test pressure 6
8 Conditioning 6
9 Procedure 7
10 Test report 7
Figure 1 — Illustrated principles for the two types of end
devices for the internal pressure testing of pipes 5
Table 1 7

© BSI 03-1999 i
BS EN 921:1995

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee PRI/61 and is
the English language version of EN 921:1994 Plastics piping systems —
Thermoplastics pipes — Determination of resistance to internal pressure at
constant temperature, published by the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN).
It is incorporated into BS 2782 Methods of testing plastics Part 11 Thermoplastics
pipes, fittings and valves, as Method 1127A:1995, for association with related test
methods for plastics materials and plastics piping components.
This test method has been prepared for reference by other standards under
preparation by CEN for specification of plastics piping systems and components.
It has been implemented to enable experience of the method to be gained and for
use for other fresh applications.
It is also for use for the revision or amendment of other national standards as
practicable, but it should not be presumed to apply to any existing standard or
specification which contains or makes references to a different test method until
that standard/specification has been amended or revised to make reference to this
method and adjust any requirements as appropriate.
BS 4728:1971, which provides for alignment with ISO 1167 where applicable, will
be withdrawn when no longer required to support existing national standards for
thermoplastics piping systems pending replacement by CEN standards currently
under preparation for such piping systems.
The principal differences between this method and BS 4728:1971 include the
following.
a) This method allows for the use of air or of another liquid as alternatives to
water for the external environment of the test piece.
b) For testing without hydrostatic end thrust, this method allows for use of
external tie rods as an alternative to an internal coaxial tie rod.
c) The permitted deviations for the constant pressure are reduced
from

± 2 % to + 2
--------- %
–1
d) For “evaluation” of pipe and/or fitting materials, this method specifies use of
end caps which transmit the end thrust. Such end caps are
designated “type a)”: those which do not are designated “type b)”.
e) For testing pipes with nominal outside diameter greater than 315 mm a
minimum free length of at least 1 000 mm is required, not 3d.
f) This method also covers the testing of fitting material in the form of
injection-moulded pipe, in which case the minimum free length, excluding the
integral closed end, if any, is 140 mm.
g) This method does not include an “acceptance test” (batch test) of the type
given in 6.1 of BS 4728:1971.
h) This method gives conditioning times depending on groups of wall thickness,
instead of 1 h after attaining the test temperature.
i) This method requires the time for pressurization to be the shortest time
practicable between 30 s and 1 h, instead of “within 60 s”, and hence the
imprecise upper limit of pipe sizes which it is practicable to test is considerably
extended.
j) This method requires any pipe failiure to be classified as brittle or ductile.

ii © BSI 03-1999
 BS EN 921:1995

WARNING. It is necessary to take account of the conseqences of failure of the

components under pressure and to contain the test piece or apparatus
accordingly.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 7 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

© BSI 03-1999 iii

iv blank
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 921
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 1994
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 23.040.20 Incorporates corrigendum AC March 1995

Descriptors: Fluid pipelines, plastic tubes, thermoplastic resins, pressure resistance

English version

Plastics piping systems — Thermoplastics pipes —

Determination of resistance to internal pressure at
constant temperature

Systèmes de canalisations plastiques — Tubes Kunststoff-Rohrleitungssysteme — Rohre aus

thermoplastiques — Détermination de la Thermoplasten — Bestimmung der
résistance à la pression interne à température Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Innendruck bei
constante konstanter Temperatur

This European was approved by CEN on 1994-11-08. CEN members are bound
to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the
conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard
without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exist in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1994 copyright reserved to CEN members

Ref. No. EN 921:1994 E
EN 921:1994

Foreword
This standard was prepared by CEN/TC 155,
Plastics piping systems and ducting systems, the
secretariat of which is held by NNI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
May 1995, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by May 1995.
This standard is based on the final text for the
second edition of International Standard ISO 1167
Thermoplastics pipes for the transport of fluids —
Resistance to internal pressure — Test method,
prepared by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). It is a modification of that
text for reasons of alignment with texts for other
standards on test methods.
The modifications are:
— the variety of end caps described under type a)
has been extended and the use of type c) end caps
has been omitted;
— the time for pressurization has been changed
from 60 s to the shortest time practicable
between 30 s and 1 h. This is to enable testing of
pipes with larger diameters, for which
pressurization was not possible within 60 s;
— the minimum free lengths of test pieces have
been extended;
— editorial changes have been introduced.
The material-dependant parameters and/or
performance requirements are incorporated in the
System Standard(s) concerned.
This standard is one of a series of standards on test
methods which support System Standards for
plastics piping systems and ducting systems.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the following countries are bound to
implement this European Standard. Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 03-1999

Introduction
This standard describes a method for determining
the resistance of thermoplastics pipes to constant
internal pressure at constant temperature.
It is a method which uses the following conditions:
— water as the reference liquid inside the pipes;
— water, air or a specified liquid as the
environment outside the pipes.
The method can be used for short or long-term tests,
at different temperatures.
Through interaction with the referring standard, it
may be used to determine the time-to-failure at a
specified pressure or to test for resistance to
internal pressure using a specified
pressure/temperature/time combination.
The results obtained can differ depending on
whether the environment is air, water or another
liquid.
For specific tests, particularly where other liquids
such as corrosive liquids are used, other test
methods may be used.
This method may be used to obtain data to establish
stress/time- to-failure graphs at different
temperatures. The rules for drawing these graphs
are not within the scope of this document. For such
purposes attention is drawn to Plastics piping and
ducting systems — Thermoplastics pipes —
Determination of long-term hydrostatic strength of
thermoplastics pipe materials by extrapolation
(under preparation at the time of publication of this
standard).
1 Scope
This standard specifies a method for determining
the resistance of thermoplastics pipes to constant
internal water pressure at constant temperature.
This standard is applicable to thermoplastics pipes
intended for the transport of fluids.
2 Normative references
This standard incorporates by dated or undated
reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate
places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references subsequent
amendments to or revisions of any of these
publications apply to this standard only when
incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For
undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies.
prEN 496, Plastics piping systems — Plastics pipes
and fittings — Measurements of dimensions and
visual inspection of surfaces.
© BSI 03-1999
EN 921:1994
3 Principle
After conditioning, test pieces are subjected to a
specified constant internal hydrostatic pressure for
a specified period of time or until the test piece(s)
fail(s).
Throughout the test, the test pieces are kept in an
environment at a specified constant temperature:
this is water (“water-in-water” test), another liquid
(“water-in-liquid” test) or air (“water-in-air” test).
NOTE It is assumed that the following test parameters are set
by the standard making reference to this standard:
a) the type of end cap to be used (see 4.1);
b) the test temperature (see 4.2, clause 8 and 9.1);
c) the orientation of test pieces (e.g. horizontal or vertical)
while under pressure (see 4.3 and 9.1);
d) for evaluation purposes, the size and S-series of pipe to be
used (see 5.1);
e) the sampling procedure (see 6.1);
f) for pipes of nominal outside diameter, dn, greater
than 315 mm, the free length of the test piece, if other
than 1 000 mm (see 6.3.1);
g) the number of test pieces (see 6.4);
h) the test pressure, p or the circumferential (hoop) stress, B,
to be induced by the test pressure (see 7.2.2);
i) the conditioning period (see clause 8);
j) the type of test, i.e. water-in-water/air/liquid (see this clause
and 9.1);
k) the duration of the test under pressure and the criteria for
a failure (see 9.3);
l) the requirements, or patterns of requirements, if any, which
determine the initiation of additional testing.
4 Apparatus
4.1 End caps, fixed to the ends of the pipe.
By means of an appropriate system, they shall allow
sealing, venting of air and connection to the
pressurizing equipment. The constituent material of
the end cap shall not have any adverse effect on the
pipe under test; e.g. end caps of copper-based alloys
shall not be used for testing polypropylene (PP)
pipes at temperatures above 100 °C.
The end cap shall be one of the following types:
type a). Fittings rigidly connected to the test
piece but not to each other, and hence
transmitting the hydrostatic end thrust to the
test piece, e.g. as shown in Figure 1 or
equivalent. They may comprise flanged plates on
the ends of a large diameter pipe, optionally
fused when flanges, caps, plugs or plates are of
the same material as the test pieces;
3
EN 921:1994
type b). Female parts, made of metal, fitted with
joints ensuring sealing onto the external surface
of the test piece and connected to one another
and hence not transmitting the hydrostatic end
thrust to the test piece. They may comprise one
or more metal rods, see Figure 1, allowing
sufficient longitudinal movement at the ends of
the test piece, to avoid buckling due to thermal
expansion when the caps are mounted at a lower
temperature than the test temperature.
Other than toothed grips, any sharp edges which
would come into contact with the outside surface of
the pipe shall be rounded off.
NOTE In general, times to failure with end caps type b) are
shorter than those obtained with end caps of type a).
4.2 Tank, filled with water or other liquid, kept at a
temperature as specified in the referring standard
to within ± 1 °C or +– 13 °C, as applicable, (see 9.1),
or oven, the temperature of which shall be kept at
the specified value to within + 3 °C.
–1
NOTE As the results are strongly influenced by temperature,
the tolerance on temperature should be kept as small as possible
within the specified limits, e.g. by using forced circulation of the
fluid.
The water shall not contain impurities which could
affect the results.
When an environment other than water is used,
necessary precautions shall be taken, in particular
those concerning safety and any interaction
between liquids and the material(s) of the test piece.
For obtaining comparable results, tests shall be
carried out in the same environment.
4.3 Supports or hangers, enabling test pieces to be
placed in the tank or oven (see 4.2) in such a way
that there is no contact between them or with the
sidewalls of the tank or oven.
4.4 Pressurizing equipment, capable of applying the
required pressure gradually and evenly in
accordance with 9.1 and then of keeping it constant
to within + 2 % for the duration of the test.
–1
4 © BSI 03-1999
NOTE 1 As the results are strongly influenced by pressure, the
deviation of pressure should be kept as small as possible within
the specified limits.
NOTE 2 The pressure should, preferably, be applied
individually to each test piece. However, the use of equipment
enabling the pressure to be applied simultaneously to several test
pieces is also permitted if there is no danger of interference when
failure occurs (e.g. by the use of an isolation valve or a test based
on the first failure in a batch). If the tests are carried out at a
specified stress, the dimensions of the test pieces should be
comparable.
NOTE 3 To maintain the pressure within the specified
tolerance, it is recommended that a system be introduced which
automatically resets the pressure, when it drops slightly
(e.g. because of swelling of the test piece), to the specified value.
4.5 Pressure measurement devices, capable of
checking the conformity to the specified test
pressure (see 7.2.2 and item h) in the note to
clause 3). In the case of gauges or similar calibrated
pressure measurement devices, the range of the
gauge shall be such that the required pressure
setting shall lie within the calibrated range of the
device used (see 7.1).
The pressure measurement devices shall not
contaminate the test fluid.
NOTE The use of master gauges for calibration of the
apparatus is recommended.
4.6 Thermometer or equivalent, capable of checking
conformity to the specified test temperature (see 4.2
and item c) of the note to clause 3).
4.7 Timer, capable of recording the duration of the
pressure application up to the moment of failure of,
or the first decrease in pressure in, the test piece.
NOTE It is recommended that equipment be used which is
sensitive to pressure variations due to leaks or a failure and
which is capable of stopping the timer and, if necessary, closing
the pressure circuit for the test piece concerned.
4.8 Means of measuring the wall thickness,
conforming to EN 496 and of such a design that
measurements along the whole length of the pipe
can be made.
NOTE Use of a calibrated ultrasonic measuring device is
recommended if applicable.
4.9 Means of measuring the mean outside diameter
of the pipe, conforming to EN 496, e.g. a metal tape.
 EN 921:1994

Figure 1 — Illustrated principles for the two types of end devices for the internal pressure
testing of pipes

© BSI 03-1999 5
EN 921:1994
5 Test objective and choice of end caps
NOTE Stress in and deformation of the test piece are different
when using end caps type a) or type b). When no precautions are
taken, end caps type b) can cause buckling of the test piece when
the test piece is assembled with the end caps at a lower
temperature than the test temperature.
5.1 Evaluation of pipe and/or fitting materials
The following shall apply for the evaluation of pipe
and/or fitting materials, unless otherwise specified
in the referring standard:
a) end caps type a) shall be used;
b) the test pieces shall be of S-series 6.3 or
smaller, or have and SDR of 13.6 or smaller, as
applicable.
5.2 Other test objectives
For other test objectives, it is permitted to use end
caps type a) and/or end caps type b) as specified in
the referring standard.
6 Test pieces
6.1 Sampling
The sampling requirements shall be those specified
in the referring standard.
6.2 Cutting
Test pieces shall be cut so that their ends are
perpendicular to the axis of the pipe.
6.3 Dimensions
6.3.1 Free length
The free length, l0, of each test piece between the
end caps shall be at least three times the outside
diameter for pipes with a nominal outside diameter
smaller than or equal to 315 mm, with a minimum
of 250 mm. For pipes with a nominal outside
diameter greater than 315 mm, a minimum free
length of larger than or equal to 1 000 mm shall be
used.
For testing fitting material in the form of
injection-moulded pipe, the free length, l0, excluding
the integral closed end, if any, shall be not less
than 140 mm.
6.3.2 Total length
For type b) end caps the total length of the test piece
shall be such that the test piece shall not make
contact with the end surface of the end caps during
the test.
6.4 Number
The number of test pieces to be prepared shall be as
specified in the referring standard.
1)
MPa = 10 bars.
6 © BSI 03-1999
NOTE The number of test pieces depends on the purpose of the
test (e.g. performance test, internal and/or external quality
control test, initial type testing, audit testing, batch release tests
or confirmation tests).
7 Calibration of the apparatus and
calculation of the test pressure
7.1 Calibration of the apparatus
The temperature and pressure control systems, and
the equipment for measuring temperature, pressure
and time shall be regularly calibrated, to an
accuracy compatible with the scales used and at a
frequency commensurate with the conditions of use.
7.2 Calculation of the test pressure
7.2.1 Determine, in accordance with EN 496, the
minimum wall thickness and the mean outside
diameter of the free length of each test piece, using
apparatus conforming to 4.7 and 4.8 respectively.
7.2.2 If necessary (see item h) of the note to
clause 3), calculate the test pressure, p, in bars1), to
three significant figures, using the following
equation:
2e
P = 10Ö × ---------------
de – e
where
B is the circumferential (hoop) stress to be
induced by the applied pressure, in
megapascals;
de is the measured mean outside diameter of
the test piece, in millimetres;
e is the measured minimum wall thickness
of the free length of the test piece, in
millimetres.
8 Conditioning
Clean and dry the test pieces (see clause 6) to
remove any traces of dirt, oil, wax or other
contamination, and fit them with the end caps
(see 4.1) chosen for the test. Fill the test pieces with
water, which may be preheated to a temperature not
more than 5 °C above the test temperature.
After bringing the test piece to the specified
temperature, condition them for the period specified
in the referring standard (see item i) of the note to
clause 3).
NOTE 1 When the referring standard does not cover
conditioning, the conditioning periods given in Table 1 are
recommended.

Table 1
emin. conditioning periods
mm
e<3 1 h ± 5 min
3#e<8 3 h ± 15 min
8 # e < 16 6 h ± 30 min
16 # e 16 h ± 1 h
NOTE 2 The test piece should not be tested within a period
of 15 h after production of the pipes, except for manufacturing
checks, unless there are specifications in the referring standard
to the contrary for the given materials.
9 Procedure
9.1 Connect the conditioned test pieces
(see clause 8) to the pressurizing equipment
(see 4.4) and bleed off the air. Progressively and
smoothly apply the test pressure (calculated in
accordance with 7.2) to +– 12 %, in the shortest time
practicable between 30 s and 1 h depending upon
the material, the size of the pipe and the capabilities
of the pressurizing equipment. Record the time
taken to achieve the test pressure.
Throughout the following procedure, ensure that
while the test pieces are under pressure they are
suspended in the thermally controlled environment.
For evaluation tests maintain the test temperature
(see the referring standard) constant to ± 1 °C when
a liquid environment is used to +– 13 °C in the case of
an air-oven (see 4.2).
For other tests maintain the temperature
within +– 12 °C of the test temperature
The type of test, i.e. “water-in-water”, “water-in-air”
or “water-in-liquid”, shall be as specified by the
referring standard.
Record the orientation of the suspended test
piece, e.g. horizontal or vertical, and the type of test.
9.2 Start the timer when the test pressure is
achieved. (See 7.2.2)
© BSI 03-1999
EN 921:1994
9.3 Stop the test either when the specified duration
is reached (see item k) of the note to clause 3), or
when a failure or leak occurs in the test piece, in
which case record the time to failure unless the
procedure given in 9.4 is applicable.
If a failure occurs, record the type, i.e. brittle or
ductile.
NOTE Failure is “brittle” if no plastic deformation has occurred
in the failure zone. If the failure is accompanied by plastic
deformation in the failure zone, visible without magnification, it
is of the “ductile” type.
9.4 If a break occurs in a test piece at a distance of
less than 0,1 l0 from an end cap, disregard the result
and repeat the test on another test piece.
10 Test report
The test report shall include the following
information:
a) a reference to this standard and to the
referring standard;
b) the complete identification of the sample;
c) the type of the material;
d) the nominal dimensions of the pipe;
e) the measured dimensions of the test pieces;
f) the test temperature and accuracy of its
measurement;
g) the stress applied;
h) the calculated test pressure and accuracy of its
measurement;
i) the nature of the environment, i.e. air, water of
liquid (and nature of the liquid, if used);
j) the type of end cap;
k) the total and free lengths of the test pieces;
l) the number of test pieces tested;
m) the orientation of the test pieces in the tank or
oven;
n) the time to achieve the test pressure (see 9.1);
o) the duration of the test;
p) the type(s) of failure, if any;
q) observations made during and after the test;
r) any factors which may have affected the
results, such as any incidents or any operating
details not specified in this standard;
s) the date of test or dates between which the test
was conducted.
7
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI Ð British Standards Institution
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
|
| presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
| incorporated by Royal Charter.
|
|
| Revisions
|
|
| British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
|
| should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
|
|
| It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
|
| would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
| British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
|
| the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7400.
|
|
| BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
|
| subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
|
|
| Buying standards
|
| Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
|
| addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the BSI
|
| implementation of those that have been published as British Standards, unless
|
| otherwise requested.
|
|
| Information on standards
|
| BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and international
|
| standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters Service. Various
|
| BSI electronic information services are also available which give details on all its
|
| products and services. Contact the Information Centre. Tel: 020 8996 7111.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7048.
|
|
| Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments and
| receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details of
|
| these and other benefits contact Membership Administration. Tel: 020 8996 7002.
|
| Fax: 020 8996 7001.
|
|
| Copyright
|
|
| Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
|
| the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
| under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
|
| stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means ± electronic,
|
| photocopying, recording or otherwise ± without prior written permission from BSI.
|
|
| This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of
|
| necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
|
| details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
| written permission of BSI must be obtained.
|
|
| If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing
|
| agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
|
| Tel: 020 8996 7070.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI |
|
389 Chiswick High Road |
|
London |
|
W4 4AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|