The new irrigation system at Poolesville will utilize a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Piping system.
High Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) is a thermoplastic pipe made from material that can be melted and reformed. It is rugged, flexible, and durable and has outstanding chemical and environmental stress crack resistance.
Some of the physical and performance characteristics of HDPE that made it the preferred pipe for Poolesville's new irrigation system include:
High Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) is a thermoplastic pipe made from material that can be melted and reformed. It is rugged, flexible, and durable and has outstanding chemical and environmental stress crack resistance.
Some of the physical and performance characteristics of HDPE that made it the preferred pipe for Poolesville's new irrigation system include:
- Corrosion Resistance- In comparison to metal piping systems, HDPE is extremely corrosion resistant. Unlike traditional metal piping products, HDPE pipe does not rust, rot or corrode and is very resistant to biological growth. These characteristics mean and extended service life and long term cost savings for the end user.
- Fatigue Resistance- HDPE pipe is very resistant to fatigue because it is flexible and ductile, not rigid. HDPE is designed and pressure rated to handle water hammer that is often common in golf course irrigation systems. Because of these characteristics, it is possible to use thinner wall HDPE in certain situations in comparison to other plastic piping systems.
- Extended Service Life- In comparison to other plastic piping, HDPE has an extended service life estimated to be between 50 to 100 years.
- Fusion Joints- HDPE piping systems can be joined with heat fusion welds. Heat fusion involves the heating of two HDPE surfaces then bringing them together to form a permanent, monolithic, leak-free system.
- Leak-Free Joints- With its capability to be joined using fusion, HDPE systems can produce permanent leak free joints.
- Adaptability- In addition to joining HDPE with heat fusion, HDPE pipe can also be joined with a number of other types of fittings. This allows for an easy transition to a number of other types of pipe.
- Eco-Friendly- In addition to its outstanding physical characteristics, HDPE pipe has a very minimal impact on the environment.
Poolesvilles HDPE piping system will be connected using a combination of various sized HDPE butt fusion tees and reducers which will be fused to the HDPE pipe. The HDPE pipe, combined with these HDPE fittings will create one monolithic piping system.
To see the process of HDPE butt fusion, watch the video below.
To see the process of HDPE butt fusion, watch the video below.
