How Deep Are Water Supply Pipes Buried

How deep should MDPE be installed?

MDPE is used in h2o or supplies across the UK. Here is vital data of minimum and maximum depths for water and gas pipes.

Follow our advice and guidelines for condom installation depths of both h2o (blue) and gas (xanthous) MDPE. H2o Pipe: Blue MDPE for drinking & Black MDPE for general h2o supply.

Water supply pipe can be installed using diverse procedures and techniques, with modern pipelaying techniques offering depression-dig or no-dig laying possibilities, and conventional open cut trenching still being the most mutual install method.

How deep should Blue MDPE exist installed?

Blueish water supply MDPE should be laid in a trench at a depth of at to the lowest degree 750mm (measured from the pipe crown), but no more 1350mm, from the finished ground level and at least 350mm away from other utilities (such as gas or electricity). Some h2o authorities allow MDPE to be laid at a shallower depth, depending on circumstances, but must be insulated; cheque local h2o authority guidance.

A minimum 100mm encompass should be placed above the crown of the pipe, with heavy compaction equipment not beingness used with less than 300mm encompass. Backfilling should keep in 300mm layers. To protect the pipage from potential future interference it is expert do to install a mark tape 300mm above pipe crown, and may include tracer wire to let for footing-level indentification of the pipeline.

The post-obit process describes conventional open up cut trench installation of below ground water supply:

Consult the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, which require installers and possessor/user/occupier to install pipework and use suitable pipework and fittings. Your local water authorization should also offer a guide on how to install new supply pipework.
Prior to excavation, identify the location of cables and pipes from other utilities.
The width of the trench should be the minimum of pipe outside bore (OD) plus 250mm to allow for the correct compaction of sidefill.
Where water pipage enters or runs underneath a building it must be located within ducting, and it is essential they are sealed with a blanking cap (and ordinarily too with cream pipe insulation). No joints or fittings should be used if pipe is located inside ducting.
Consult WIS 4-08-01 for details on bed and fill materials; in some instances MDPE may exist laid directly onto the trimmed trench bottom where the soil is uniform, fine grained and free from big stones and flints. In other cases the trench should exist excavated to a depth to allow for a minimum 100mm bed of gravel, crushed stone or fibroid sand. A sand/gravel mix is adequate provided the gravel is less than 20mm in size.

MDPE for Water Supply

Gas piping (Yellow MDPE)

Gas pipework, which is coloured yellow, is oftentimes laid directly in open trenches in a similar method to blue MDPE above. Yet, in some circumstances, pre-laid ducting is oft installed by the groundworker to allow for MDPE pipe to be installed at a later date.

Gas Pipe Ducting Diameters

The diameter of ducting required depends on the size of the MDPE existence installed. The following is guidance only; check with your local authority for exact details for your project:

For pipe sizes <= 32mm, employ 60mm gas ducting
For piping sizes <= 40mm, use 100mm gas ducting
For pipe sizes <= 63mm, use 150mm gas ducting
For pipe sizes <= 90mm, use 200mm gas ducting

Gas Pipe Cover Levels

Minimum depths of cover over ducting depends on where the pipework is being installed. Drawcord must be inserted into the ducting and gas marker tape must be laid at a minimum of 75mm higher up ducting to avoid hereafter interference, and may include tracer wire.

For service pipework

Footpath/driveway - 375mm
Public footpath - 450mm
Public highway/verge - 450mm

For mains pipework

Footpath/driveway - 600mm
Public highway/verge - 750mm
Fields - 1100mm

Information technology is important if you are plumbing fixtures new gas works in your belongings (private ground) that yous read guidelines carefully as y'all are responsible for safely guarding the trench and making sure anyone who has admission to the work on the holding is not put at risk. Always consult your local authority for guidance, and contact JDP for advice and support.

Xanthous Gas Supply MDPE

Avoid freezing pipes

According to 'The Department of the Environment', they recommend that pipes should be buried at least 600mm (two feet) underground. At this depth, the soil acts equally a natural insulator and prevents them freezing.