BS EN 12201-4:2024

Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure. Polyethylene (PE). Valves for water supply systems | Status: Current

1 Scope This document specifies the characteristics of valves or valve bodies made from polyethylene (PE) for buried and above ground applications, intended for the conveyance of water for human consumption, raw water prior to treatment, drains and sewers under pressure, vacuum sewer systems, and water for other purposes, with the exception of industrial applications.

NOTE 1 For PE components intended for the conveyance of water for human consumption and raw water prior to treatment, attention is drawn to 6.4. Components manufactured for water for other purposes, drains and sewers, and vacuum systems are possibly not suitable for water supply for human consumption.

NOTE 2 Industrial application is covered by EN ISO 15494 [2].

The intended use includes sea outfalls, laid in water and pipes suspended below bridges. It is applicable to isolating unidirectional and bi-directional valves with spigot ends or electrofusion sockets intended to be fused with PE pipes or fittings conforming to EN 12201‑2 and EN 12201‑3 respectively. Valves made from materials other than PE, conforming to the relevant standards can be used in PE piping systems according to EN 12201, provided that they have PE connections for butt fusion or electrofusion ends, conforming to EN 12201‑3, or material transition joints (e.g. flanged joints).

NOTE 3 For valves or valve bodies intended for drains and sewers, additional information is given in Clause 9.

It also specifies the test parameters for the test methods referred to in this document. In conjunction with EN 12201‑1, EN 12201‑2, EN 12201‑3 and EN 12201‑5, this document is applicable to PE pipes, fittings and valves, their joints and joints with components of PE and other materials intended to be used under the following conditions:

1. a) allowable operating pressure, PFA, up to 25 bar 1 ;
2. b) an operating temperature of 20 °C as a reference temperature.

NOTE 4 For applications operating at constant temperature greater than 20 °C and up to 50 °C, see EN 12201‑1:2024, Annex A.

The EN 12201 series covers a range of allowable operating pressures and gives requirements concerning colours and additives.

NOTE 5 It is the responsibility of the purchaser or specifier to make the appropriate selections from these aspects, taking into account their particular requirements and any relevant national guidance or regulations and installation practices or codes.

This document covers valves for pipes with a nominal outside diameter dn ≤ 400 mm.