What is BS EN 12201-5 – PE fitness for water and drainage piping systems about?  
BS EN 12201-5 covers plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drainage and sewerage under pressure for Polyethylene (PE). The main aim of the BS EN 12201 series is to provide manufacturers and designers with best industry practices to ensure that their products conform to relevant performance requirements.
BS EN 12201-5 is the fifth part of the multi-series that specifies the characteristics of the fitness for purpose of the assembled piping systems intended for the conveyance of water intended for human consumption, raw water prior to treatment, drainage, and sewerage under pressure, vacuum sewer systems, and water for other purposes.
Note 1: For PE components intended for the conveyance of water for human consumption and raw water prior to treatment attention is drawn to the introduction of this part of EN 12201. Components manufactured for water for other purposes may not be suitable for water supply for human consumption.
Note 2: For applications operating at constant temperatures greater than 20 °C up to 40 °C, see EN 12201-1:2011.
Who is BS EN 12201-5 – PE fitness for water and drainage piping systems for? 
BS EN 12201-5 on PE fitness for water and drainage piping systems is useful for: 
- The Plastic pipes industry
- PE plastic piping and component manufacturers
- Product design engineers
- Quality control and testing personnel
- Contractors / Civil engineers
- Local authorities
- Certification bodies/ Regulatory bodies
- Product technical committees
- Builders / real estate developers / architects
Why should you use BS EN 12201-5 – PE fitness for water and drainage piping systems?  
The System Standard, BS EN 12201-5, specifies the requirements for a piping system and its components when made from PE.
BS EN 12201-5 is intended to be used for water supply intended for human consumption, including the conveyance of raw water prior to treatment, drainage and sewerage under pressure, vacuum sewer systems, and water for other purposes.
Requirements and test methods for components of the piping system are specified in EN 12201-1, EN 12201-2, EN 12201-3, and prEN 12201-4:2011. CEN/TS 12201-7 gives guidance for the assessment of conformity.
BS EN 12201-5 covers the characteristics of the fitness for purpose of the system.
BS EN 12201-5 also specifies the method of preparation of test piece joints and the tests to be carried out on these joints for assessing the fitness for purpose of the system under normal and extreme conditions.
BS EN 12201-5 also specifies the test parameters for the test methods referred to in BS EN 12201-5.
BS EN 12201-5 is applicable to PE pipes, fittings, valves, their joints, and joints with components of other materials intended to be used under the following conditions:
- Allowable operating pressure, PFA, up to 25 bar 1)
- An operating temperature of 20 °C as a reference temperature
- Buried in the ground
- Sea outfalls
- Laid in water
- Above ground, including pipes suspended below bridges
BS EN 12201-5 covers a range of allowable operating pressures and gives requirements concerning colours and additives.
If you are a manufacturer of PE plastic pipes, complying with BS EN 12201-5 can help demonstrate the performance and credibility of your product, ensuring that they are fit for purpose.
