ASTM D3839-08

This practice is for use by designers and specifiers, manufacturers, installation contractors, regulatory agencies, owners, and inspection organizations involved in the construction of buried fiberglass pipelines. As with any practice, modifications may be required for specific job conditions, or for special local or regional conditions. Recommendations for inclusion of this practice in contract documents for a specific project are given in Appendix X1.

1.1 This practice establishes procedures for the burial of pressure and nonpressure “fiberglass” (glass-fiber-reinforced thermosetting-resin) pipe in many typically encountered soil conditions. Included are recommendations for trenching, placing pipe, joining pipe, placing and compacting backfill, and monitoring deflection levels. Guidance for installation of fiberglass pipe in subaqueous conditions is not included.

1.2 Product standards for fiberglass pipe encompass a wide range of product variables. Diameters range from 1 in. to 13 ft (25 mm to 4000 mm) and pipe stiffness range from 9 to over 72 psi (60 to 500 kPa) with internal pressure ratings up to several thousand pound force per square inch. This standard does not purport to consider all of the possible combinations of pipe, soil types, and natural ground conditions that may occur. The recommendations in this practice may need to be modified or expanded to meet the needs of some installation conditions. In particular, fiberglass pipe with diameters of a few inches are generally so stiff that they are frequently installed in accordance with different guidelines. Consult with the pipe manufacturer for guidance on which practices are applicable to these particular pipes.

1.3 The scope of this practice excludes product-performance criteria such as a minimum pipe stiffness, maximum service deflection, or long-term strength. Such parameters may be contained in product standards or design specifications, or both, for fiberglass pipe. It is incumbent upon the specified product manufacturer or project engineer to verify and ensure that the pipe specified for an intended application, when installed in accordance with procedures outlined in this practice, will provide a long-term, satisfactory performance in accordance with criteria established for that application.

Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

Note 2—A discussion of the importance of deflection and a presentation of a simplified method to approximate field deflections are given in AWWA Manual of Practice M45 Fiberglass Pipe Design.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.