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1.1 This practice covers qualifying a combination of a squeeze tool, a polyethylene gas pipe, and a squeeze-off procedure to avoid long-term damage in polyethylene gas pipe. Qualifying is conducted by examining the inside and outside surfaces of pipe specimens at and near the squeeze to determine the existence of features indicative of long-term damage. If indicative features are absent, sustained pressure testing in accordance with Test Method D1598 is conducted to confirm the viability of the squeeze-off process.

1.2 This practice is appropriate for any combination of squeeze tool, PE gas pipe, and squeeze-off procedure.

1.3 This practice is for use by squeeze-tool manufacturers and gas utilities to qualify squeeze tools made in accordance with Test Method F1563; and squeeze-off procedures based on with Guide F1041 with pipe manufactured in accordance with Specification D2513.

1.4 Governing codes and project specifications should be consulted. Nothing in this practice should be construed as recommending practices or systems at variance with governing codes and project specifications.

1.5 Where applicable in this practice, “pipe” shall mean “pipe and tubing.”

1.6 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 This practice relies on a screening process using visual inspection followed by 80 °C sustained pressure testing to qualify a squeeze-off process.

4.2 Squeeze-off is widely used to temporarily control the flow of gas in PE pipe. Squeeze tools vary in squeeze bar shape and size, operating method, and available stop gaps depending on the tool manufacturer and the size of the pipe the tool will be used on. Multiple squeeze tools are required for a range of pipe size and DR combinations. Squeeze-off procedures can vary depending on the tool design, pipe material, pipe size and DR, pipe operating conditions, and pipe environmental conditions.

4.3 Experience indicates that damage leading to gas pipe failure is possible with some combinations of polyethylene material, pipe temperature, tool design, wall compression percentage, and procedure. This practice is useful for determining the suitability of a tool for squeeze-off and for determining acceptable limits for squeeze-off such as acceptable minimum and maximum pipe temperature for squeeze and acceptable line pressure for squeeze. Tests conducted at different pipe temperatures with various sizes of tools and pipes can be used to verify a range of temperatures, tool sizes, and pipe sizes for which the squeeze-off procedure is applicable.

4.4 The area of wrinkling at the ears on the inside diameter (ID) of the pipe and the area on the outside of the pipe opposite the ears are examined. Evidence of any one or a combination of void formation, cracks or extensive localized stress whitening, or failure during sustained pressure testing disqualifies the squeeze-off process.

4.5 Typical unacceptable features implying long-term damage are shown in Appendix X1 photographs.

4.6 Studies of polyethylene pipe extruded in the late 1980s (PE2306 and PE3408) show that damage typically does not develop when the wall compression percentage is 30 % or less, when closure rates are 2 in./minute or less and release rates are 0.5 in./minute or less, and when squeeze bars have radii 4 times or greater than the pipe maximum wall thickness.

4.7 This practice provides a method to qualify a combination of squeeze tool, pipe size and material, and squeeze-off procedure to ensure that long-term damage does not occur. This practice is useful for all polyethylene gas pipe, for all pipe diameters, for new or revised squeeze tool designs, and for new or revised squeeze-off procedures.