What is BS EN 17415‑3 about?
BS EN 17415‑3 is the third part of the multi-series of European standard on ‘District cooling pipes-Bonded single pipe systems for directly buried cold water networks.’
BS EN 17415‑3 specifies requirements, design, and test methods for factory-made thermally insulated bonded valve assemblies for directly buried district cooling distribution systems, comprising a steel valve from DN 15 to DN 1 200, rigid polyurethane foam insulation and a casing of polyethylene.
The valve assembly can also include the following additional elements: measuring wires, spacers and diffusion barriers.
The design is based on an expected service life with continuous operation of a minimum 50 years.
NOTE: BS EN 17415‑3 applies only to insulated valve assemblies, for continuous operation with water at various temperatures (1 to 30) °C and a maximum operation pressure of 25 bar.
Who is BS EN 17415‑3 for?
BS EN 17415‑3 on district cooling pipes is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of fitting assemblies of steel or plastic service pipes
- Manufacturers and suppliers of polyurethane thermal insulation
Why should you use BS EN 17415‑3?
Factory-made bonded single pipe systems for directly buried district cooling networks are of common technical usage. To ensure quality including product-related service life, safety in use, economical energy usage and to facilitate comparability in the market, CEN/TC 107 decided to set up standards for these products.
All valves, steel pipes and steel components used for manufacturing of valve assemblies are provided under BS EN 17415-3.
BS EN 17415-3 also instructs you on the quality check of the valve body and the valve extension pipe used to design thermally insulated bonded valve assemblies.
BS EN 17415‑3 provides general requirements for the polyethylene welding. BS EN 17415‑3 describes axial strength test and bending test in accordance with ambient temperature and pressure and specifies necessary requirements for waste management and recycling of materials used for district cooling pipes.
The guidance on end of stem construction will make sure that stem end passing through the casing can withstand aggressive underground conditions such as cold, moisture, ground and salty water, thus enhancing its service-life. BS EN 17415‑3 also provides you with the necessary arrangement to protect water ingress to the thermal insulation.
Complying with these test methods and design specifications ensures that the valves used in piping systems can withstand a maximum operating pressure of 16 bar or 25 bar, depending on the system design pressure. Overall, you will be able to avoid product failures and maintain system integrity of the overall district cooling piping system.