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If you're responsible for maintaining a system of piping where liquids are passed from one location to another, you may know that you cannot always rely on standard and unmodified piping in order to achieve your goals. You may think that you have predicted all of the potential issues with the security of the pipe, but there are some key factors that you may have overlooked. If your piping has to cope with a certain amount of pressure, what are all the factors you need to consider in order to be as safe as possible?

External Pressure Is Only Part of It

Many pipes that lay underground can be treated quite readily with lining materials that are designed to resist a certain amount of pressure from above. These may be necessary where a pipe is laid a long way underground and has to deal with the weight of the soil above it. They may also be required when the pipe passes beneath a roadway that can be subject to heavy traffic loads. In other words, a number of different pressures can sometimes be brought to bear on the outside of a pipe, which increase the risk of it collapsing. Certain conventional lining materials will protect the pipe from these issues.

Controlling Pressure from Within

However, are you sure that you are protected from pressure that may build up inside the pipe itself? You may think that the material flowing through the pipe should be safe enough, as there is only a relatively small amount of pressure in play. The pump that is responsible for transporting the liquid can be set accordingly so that the pressure is relatively low.

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One big issue remains, however. Whenever the pump starts up, it may have a tendency to deliver a markedly increased pressure, even if that is only for a split-second. If it doesn't have a variable frequency attachment that only brings in the pressure slowly, the act of starting can magnify the pressure substantially for an instant. It's not unknown for a pipe to rupture and collapse in such circumstances.

Risk Factors

Some people think that it may be difficult to rupture an internal liner under any circumstances. However, it's unlikely that the pipe in question is one continuous length without any couplings. As a consequence, there may be a small gap in between the liner and the pipe where a coupling is present.

Additional Considerations

To be as sure as possible, you may want to consider fitting a combination of high-pressure liner and pre-liner and ensure that any joints are not near to a coupling. It may also be necessary to install a special type of water-resistant sealant, which can fill the void between the pipe and the liner itself.

Getting Advice

If you're not sure whether your system is fit for its purpose, have a word with a contractor specialising in pressure piping.