What is BS EN 1555‑5 about?
BS EN 1555‑5 is the fifth part in a multi-series of European standard on ‘Plastic piping system and ducting system’. BS EN 1555‑5 specifies the requirements of fitness for purpose of the polyethylene (PE) piping system in the field of the supply of gaseous fuels.
BS EN 1555‑5 specifies the requirements for electrofusion, butt fusion and mechanical joints and 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.
NOTE: BS EN 1555‑5 is applicable to PE pipes, fittings, valves, their joints and to joints with components of other materials intended to be used under the following conditions:
- A maximum operating pressure, MOP, up to and including 10 bar1 at a reference temperature of 20 °C for design purposes
- An operating temperature between − 20 °C and 40 °C.
Who is BS EN 1555‑5 for?
BS EN 1555‑5 on plastics piping systems is relevant to:
- PE manufacturers and quality testing personnel
- Industries dealing with gaseous fuels such as mining, oil, and gas
- PE pipe specifiers and installers
Why should you use BS EN 1555‑5?
Piping systems are used to transport all known liquid or gaseous fluids, as well as pasty materials or pulp and fluids in suspension. Their flexibility characteristics allow plastic pipes often to be changed around angles and obstructions without requiring extra joints and fittings. These features of the plastic pipe will help you build a safe and efficient piping system when it comes to supply of gaseous fuels. PE pipe is comprised of thermoplastic material produced from the polymerization of ethylene. BS EN 1555‑5 deals with the requirements of fitness for purpose of the polyethylene piping system.
BS EN 1555‑5 specifies the requirements for electrofusion, butt fusion and mechanical joints of pipes to examine fitness for purpose of PE pipes which would make piping system safe and efficient.
Today, apart from its wide use in the oil and gas production industry, PE is also the material of choice for leak-free method of transporting natural gas to homes and industries.
As the buyer of BS EN 1555-2, your business can be assured of best industry practice that will help build customer reliability and confidence and ease safety concerns. 
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 1555‑5:2021 supersedes EN 1555-5:2010. BS EN 1555‑5:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 1555-5:2010. These include:
- PE 100-RC type materials with enhanced resistance to slow crack growth have been added
- Annex A in EN 1555 1:2021 now discusses the performance of this type of material and gives additional information for non-conventional installation techniques
- Test methods have been updated
