Plastics piping systems for warm water surface heating systems and radiator connecting systems

Copper or steel pipes have been used predominantly in the past in heating technology. The sector has since learnt to appreciate the benefits of plastic piping systems. Light weight and high flexibility ensure simple and fast laying.

This is why plastic pipes are used mainly when laying underfloor heating in Germany. There are also a variety of systems available for the application as radiator connecting pipes. The following materials are used:

Crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polybutylene (PB)
Polyethylene with higher temperature resistance (PE-RT)
Medium density crosslinked polyethylene (PE-MDX)

As oxygen entering the heating system can result in problems with corrosion to the iron parts (heating boiler, radiators) and therefore has a significant impact upon the life of the system, all the plastic pipe systems have to be oxygen-tight to DIN 4726.

The right purchase decision means cash for the customer.

With the accredited and independent certification mark "DIN-Geprüft", DIN CERTCO enables the manufacturer to convince their customers of the quality of their products and provide the customer with assistance in his purchase decision; as our mark stands for trust!

Basis of Testing

The DIN CERTCO certification scheme "DIN-Geprüft plastic pipe systems for warm water underfloor heating and radiator connection" is the basis on which the mark is awarded. The scheme is based on the following standards:

DIN 4726 "Warm water underfloor heating and radiator connections - plastic pipe systems"

Polypropylene pipes (PP)

DIN EN ISO 15874-1 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polypropylene (PP) - Part 1: General"
DIN EN ISO 15874-2 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polypropylene (PP) - Part 2: Pipes"
DIN EN ISO 15874-3 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polypropylene (PP) - Part 3: Fittings"
DIN EN ISO 15874-5 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polypropylene (PP) - Part 5: Fitness for purpose of the system"

Crosslinked polyethylene pipes (PE-X)

DIN EN ISO 15875-1 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) - Part 1: General"
DIN EN ISO 15875-2 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) - Part 2: Pipes"
DIN EN ISO 15875-3 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) - Part 3: Fittings"
DIN EN ISO 15875-5 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) - Part 5: Fitness for purpose of the system"

Polybutene pipes (PB)

DIN EN ISO 15876-1 Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polybutylene (PB) - Part 1: General"
DIN EN ISO 15876-2 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polybutylene (PB) - Part 2: Pipes"
DIN EN ISO 15876-3 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polybutylene (PB) - Part 3: Fittings"
DIN EN ISO 15876-5 "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Polybutylene (PB) - Part 5: Fitness for purpose of the system"

PE-MDX pipes

DIN 16894 "Pipes of crosslinked medium density polyethylene (PE-MDX) - General quality requirements and testing"
DIN 4724 "Plastic piping systems for warm water floor heating systems and radiator pipe connecting - Crosslinked polyethylene of medium density (PE-MDX)"

PE-RT pipes

DIN 16833 "Polyethylene pipes of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT) - General quality requirements, testing"
DIN 4721 "Plastic piping systems for warm water floor heating systems and radiator connecting - Polyethylene of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT)"

Multi-layer composite pipe

Annex A of the certification scheme also applies to multi-layer composite pipe.

These test standards define the requirements and test procedures for pipes, fittings (joints) and systems in terms of dimensions, bend radius and oxygen-tightness:

Dimensions
Homogeneity
Bend radii
Oxygen tightness
Compatibility with heating water additives
Surface quality
Strength properties
Level of crosslinkage
Longitudinal shrinkage
Behaviour under changes in temperature
Behaviour under changes in pressure
Identification
Completeness of the information and directions for use

Quality criteria

Following quality criteria are also the object of the test:

Homogeneity (flaws)
Bend radius
Oxygen-tightness
Compatibility with heating water additives
Completeness of the information and directions for use
Inspection of the production documentation

External quality control

There is a half-yearly inspection (standard inspection) of products and of the quality assurance system (QA system)

Testing and Assessment

The "DIN-Geprüft" mark is only granted to those pipe systems that are able to prove that they comply with the standards by completing a successful test in a test laboratory recognised by DIN CERTCO and a subsequent independent assessment.

After a positive assessment, DIN CERTCO issues a certificate that is valid indefinitely. The registration number that clearly identifies the certificate is made up as follows: 3Vxxx "type of plastic".