It’s official – the Pestan Green PPR 80 pipes & fittings system as marketed by Serbco Distributors is now fully SABS APPROVED. After a strict audit of the manufacturing facilities in Serbia at the end of January, SABS inspectors concluded that they were very satisfied with the quality control systems in place at Pestan, indeed they commented that there were several areas where Pestan outperformed other competitors in respect of traceable information and quality standards. SANS Certificate: SANS 15875-2,3&5:2004 |
The ease with which pipes can be welded is clearly visible in our 'Pestan Weld' video shown here on the right.
All of these tools are available from our distributors. Interested in a franchise opportunity? Check the link in the top menu.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the system SABS approved?
YES- The system is accredited by the SABS under SANS ISO 15874 and is also JASWIC accepted. It can therefore be legally used in any hot and cold water installation in South Africa. It carries a 10 year guarantee.
YES- The system is accredited by the SABS under SANS ISO 15874 and is also JASWIC accepted. It can therefore be legally used in any hot and cold water installation in South Africa. It carries a 10 year guarantee.
2. Can I install the system outside?
YES – However, PPR has limited UV resistance, so if your installation will expose the pipe/fittings to direct UV we would recommend either building the pipe/fittings into a duct, lagging the pipe/fittings with insulation material or painting the pipe/fittings with an appropriate paint.
YES – However, PPR has limited UV resistance, so if your installation will expose the pipe/fittings to direct UV we would recommend either building the pipe/fittings into a duct, lagging the pipe/fittings with insulation material or painting the pipe/fittings with an appropriate paint.
3. Can I use the piping for hot water?
YES – This is exactly why PPR was created, to cope with elevated temperatures at pressure. The SABS standard allows for continued use of the pipe/fittings at 70°C
YES – This is exactly why PPR was created, to cope with elevated temperatures at pressure. The SABS standard allows for continued use of the pipe/fittings at 70°C
4. Can I use the piping where it may freeze?
YES – Though PPR is an excellent insulator, i.e. it will protect the water inside the pipe from freezing, there are areas in South Africa where the temperatures fall so low that freezing can happen. When water freezes it expands (upto 10% by volume) so to protect the pipe and fittings from this we would recommend lagging the pipe with insulation if likely to be exposed to severely low temperatures, i.e. <-4°C
YES – Though PPR is an excellent insulator, i.e. it will protect the water inside the pipe from freezing, there are areas in South Africa where the temperatures fall so low that freezing can happen. When water freezes it expands (upto 10% by volume) so to protect the pipe and fittings from this we would recommend lagging the pipe with insulation if likely to be exposed to severely low temperatures, i.e. <-4°C
5. Can I connect direct to a geyser?
YES – Though some municipalities still insist that metal pipe be used for the first metre, there is no reason why a PPR pipe cannot be used directly from the geyser as long as the temperature of the water remains within the operating parameters of the system is designed for (i.e. <70°C). If connecting to commercial boilers, please contact our technical department for advice
YES – Though some municipalities still insist that metal pipe be used for the first metre, there is no reason why a PPR pipe cannot be used directly from the geyser as long as the temperature of the water remains within the operating parameters of the system is designed for (i.e. <70°C). If connecting to commercial boilers, please contact our technical department for advice
6. Can I connect to copper?
YES – In fact Pestan PPR can be connected to any other plumbing system by means of the BSP threaded male and female connectors, and other adaptors.
YES – In fact Pestan PPR can be connected to any other plumbing system by means of the BSP threaded male and female connectors, and other adaptors.
7. Can I fix a hole in the pipe?
YES – This is one of the unique advantages of the PPR material. Small holes in the pipe can be repaired using the Pestan repair kit, and this will not invalidate the guarantee. Where there are holes larger than 11mm or where the pipe has been sliced through we recommend replacing the affected section of pipe (see technical manual for details)
YES – This is one of the unique advantages of the PPR material. Small holes in the pipe can be repaired using the Pestan repair kit, and this will not invalidate the guarantee. Where there are holes larger than 11mm or where the pipe has been sliced through we recommend replacing the affected section of pipe (see technical manual for details)
8. What is the life expectancy of the pipe?
The SABS approval indicates a life expectancy of 50 years when exposed to 10 bar pressure and 70°C water. However, depending on the temperature and pressure of the water and the class of pipe used, it is best to consult our technical manual for exact life expectancy
The SABS approval indicates a life expectancy of 50 years when exposed to 10 bar pressure and 70°C water. However, depending on the temperature and pressure of the water and the class of pipe used, it is best to consult our technical manual for exact life expectancy
9. Do I have to install brackets on pipe lengths?
YES - If installing the pipes above ground but not in the wall, brackets should be used. Spacing of these brackets is crucial, and installers should refer to our technical manual for exact requirements.
YES - If installing the pipes above ground but not in the wall, brackets should be used. Spacing of these brackets is crucial, and installers should refer to our technical manual for exact requirements.
10. Do I have to allow for linear expansion?
YES – If the pipe is unrestrained, i.e. above ground or not encased in a wall, and especially on long pipe runs, allowance for linear expansion must be made. Refer to the technical manual for exact requirements.
YES – If the pipe is unrestrained, i.e. above ground or not encased in a wall, and especially on long pipe runs, allowance for linear expansion must be made. Refer to the technical manual for exact requirements.
11. Do I have to use Pestan’s fusion tool?
Not necessarily, but correct fusion takes place at 260°C (± 5°C). Not all fusion tools maintain this temperature accurately, and fusion at other temperatures could cause leaking joints and would invalidate your guarantee.
Not necessarily, but correct fusion takes place at 260°C (± 5°C). Not all fusion tools maintain this temperature accurately, and fusion at other temperatures could cause leaking joints and would invalidate your guarantee.
12. Can I use Pestan pipe with other fittings?
Both the SABS approval and the guarantee refer to the Pestan piping system as a whole, i.e. the use of Pestan Pipes with Pestan fittings. There are different types of PP material, and even different structures of PPR pipes so it is extremely risky to interchange different brands of pipe and fittings, even if they appear to join successfully.
Both the SABS approval and the guarantee refer to the Pestan piping system as a whole, i.e. the use of Pestan Pipes with Pestan fittings. There are different types of PP material, and even different structures of PPR pipes so it is extremely risky to interchange different brands of pipe and fittings, even if they appear to join successfully.
13. What size pipe should I use?
This depends entirely on the water demand in your installation. Refer to the Technical manual for correct pipe sizing
This depends entirely on the water demand in your installation. Refer to the Technical manual for correct pipe sizing
14. Can I bend the pipe?
PPR pipe softens at 140°C. At this temperature it is possible to bend the pipe, but there must be internal support to stop the pipe ‘kinking’, and the radius of the bend cannot be less than 8 times the diameter of the pipe. Heating the pipe must not be achieved using an open flame. In most applications the extra time spent achieving this bend makes the use of elbows a better option.
PPR pipe softens at 140°C. At this temperature it is possible to bend the pipe, but there must be internal support to stop the pipe ‘kinking’, and the radius of the bend cannot be less than 8 times the diameter of the pipe. Heating the pipe must not be achieved using an open flame. In most applications the extra time spent achieving this bend makes the use of elbows a better option.
15. Can I use the pipe underground?
Absolutely. Care must be taken to prepare a trench properly and to backfill and compact such a trench in the normal way.
Absolutely. Care must be taken to prepare a trench properly and to backfill and compact such a trench in the normal way.
16. Can I chase the pipe into walls?
Yes – Care must be taken to make the chasing deep enough to allow a good cover of cement/plaster.
Yes – Care must be taken to make the chasing deep enough to allow a good cover of cement/plaster.
17. Will the pipe break the plaster in walls?
No – As long as the chasing is performed as stated above and the pipe is used under normal conditions there should be no risk of the plaster cracking because of pipe expansion
No – As long as the chasing is performed as stated above and the pipe is used under normal conditions there should be no risk of the plaster cracking because of pipe expansion
18. Can I use Conex fittings?
No – Conex fittings are made for different pipe material and in different pipe sizes. Even if they appear to fit, they will not offer a reliable leak-free joint.
No – Conex fittings are made for different pipe material and in different pipe sizes. Even if they appear to fit, they will not offer a reliable leak-free joint.
19. Is this the same as Polycop?
No – Polycop is a product approved and suitable for cold water applications only. Pestan PPR is a much higher grade material and is therefore approved and suitable for hot and cold water at elevated pressure.
No – Polycop is a product approved and suitable for cold water applications only. Pestan PPR is a much higher grade material and is therefore approved and suitable for hot and cold water at elevated pressure.
20. Is the pipe pressure rated?
YES – Pestan Pipe is available in various pressure ratings. The combination of pressure and temperature define the lifespan of a particular pipe, so consult the technical manual in order to select the most appropriate pipe for your application.
YES – Pestan Pipe is available in various pressure ratings. The combination of pressure and temperature define the lifespan of a particular pipe, so consult the technical manual in order to select the most appropriate pipe for your application.
21. Is the pipe system environmentally safe?
YES – PPR is 100% recyclable. In addition, when compared to traditional materials like steel and copper, far less energy is used in the production of the raw material and in the manufacture of pipe. PPR is a bi-product of oil and thus involves no specific mining activities to obtain the raw material.
YES – PPR is 100% recyclable. In addition, when compared to traditional materials like steel and copper, far less energy is used in the production of the raw material and in the manufacture of pipe. PPR is a bi-product of oil and thus involves no specific mining activities to obtain the raw material.