BS EN 12201-4:2024 - Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure. Polyethylene (PE)

Standard No.: BS EN 12201-4:2024
Release Date: 2024
Published By: British Standards Institution (BSI) GB / BSI
Latest: BS EN 12201-4:2024

Introduction

Analysis of the core content of the standard

Version Comparison	EN 12201-4:2012	EN 12201-4:2024
Material Type	PE80/PE100	New PE100-RC (Resistant to Slow Crack Growth)
Diameter Range	≤315mm	Extended to ≤400mm
Test Method	Reference to ISO 10933	New Appendix B Post-stretching Sealing Test

Key Performance Requirements

Mechanical Property Test: Valve components must pass three water pressure tests:

20℃/100h test: PE80 must withstand 10MPa hoop stress, PE100/PE100-RC must reach 12MPa
80℃/165h test: stress requirements are reduced to 4.5MPa and 5.4MPa respectively
80℃/1000h test: long-term stress indicators are 4.0MPa (PE80) and 5.0MPa (PE100)

Special requirements for PE100-RC: Strain hardening modulus test (SHT) needs to be ≥50MPa, and the sample needs to be taken from the valve body wall thickness.

Material and manufacturing specifications

The valve body must be made of virgin polyethylene material that complies with EN 12201-1:

Color specification: The valve body for underground use is black, and the valve body for drinking water systems can be blue (UV protection is required)
Metal parts: When in contact with humid environments, they must be protected against galvanic corrosion. Seals comply with EN 681-1
Lubricants: Products that affect the performance of the welding area or the water quality are prohibited

Geometric and operating characteristics

Dimension measurement: Measured 24 hours after manufacturing at 23±2℃, the dimensions of the fusion sleeve must comply with Table 1 of EN 12201-3:2024

Operating torque:Valve torque range for different pipe diameters:

dn≤63mm: 5-35Nm
63＜dn≤125mm: 10-70Nm
125＜dn≤400mm: 10-150Nm

Drinking water compliance implementation recommendations

Note that when valves are used in drinking water systems:

The UK region must follow the specific approval guidelines for England/Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland respectively
Blue valve components must take UV protection measures
All contact materials must pass the oxidation induction time test (≥10 minutes@210℃)

Technology evolution background

This revision mainly responds to two major industry needs:

PE100-RC material application: Enhanced resistance to slow crack growth for non-traditional installation techniques (such as directional drilling)
Requirement for large-diameter valves: Adapting to the trend of urban water supply network expansion, the upper limit of applicable diameter is increased to 400mm

BS EN 12201-4:2024 Referenced Document

EN 12100 Plastics piping systems - Polyethylene (PE) valves - Test method for resistance to bending between supports*， 2025-03-19 Update
EN 12201-1 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure - Polyethylene (PE) - Part 1: General
EN 12201-2 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure - Polyethylene (PE) - Part 2: Pipes
EN 12201-3:2024 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure - Polyethylene (PE) - Part 3: Fittings
EN 12201-5 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure - Polyethylene (PE) - Part 5: Fitness for purpose of the system
EN 1680 Plastics piping systems - Valves for polyethylene (PE) piping systems - Test method for leaktightness under and after bending applied to the operating mechanisms*， 2025-03-05 Update
EN 1705 Plastics piping systems - Thermoplastics valves - Test method for the integrity of a valve after an external blow*， 2025-05-21 Update
EN 681-1 Elastomeric seals Material requirements for pipe joint seals used in water and drainage applications Part 1: Vulcanized rubber (Incorporates Amendments A1: 1998 and A2: 2002; Incorporating Corrigendum August 2002; Incorporates Amendment A3: 2005)
EN 736-1 Valves - Terminology - Part 1: Definition of types of valves
EN 736-2 Valves - Terminology - Part 2: Definition of components of valves
EN ISO 1133-1 Plastics - Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics - Part 1: Standard method (ISO 1133-1:2022)
EN ISO 11357-6 Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 6: Determination of oxidation induction time (isothermal OIT) and oxidation induction temperature (dynamic OIT) (ISO 11357-6:2025)*， 2025-06-18 Update
EN ISO 1167-1 Thermoplastics pipes, fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids - Determination of the resistance to internal pressure - Part 1: General method (ISO 1167-1:2006)
EN ISO 1167-4 Thermoplastics pipes@ fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids - Determination of the resistance to internal pressure - Part 4: Preparation of assemblies
EN ISO 3126 Plastics piping systems - Plastics components - Determination of dimensions ISO 3126:2005
EN ISO 3127 Thermoplastics pipes - Determination of resistance to external blows - Round-the-clock method (ISO 3127:1994)
ISO 161-1 Thermoplastics pipes for the conveyance of fluids — Nominal outside diameters and nominal pressures — Part 1: Metric series AMENDMENT 1
ISO 18488 Polyethylene (PE) materials for piping systems — Determination of strain hardening modulus in relation to slow crack growth — Test method*， 2025-10-14 Update
ISO 8233 Thermoplastics valves

BS EN 12201-4:2024 history

2024 BS EN 12201-4:2024 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure. Polyethylene (PE) - Valves for water supply systems
2012 BS EN 12201-4:2012 Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drainage and sewerage under pressure. Polyethylene (PE). Valves
2002 BS EN 12201-4:2001 Plastic piping systems for water supply. Polyethylene (PE)-Valves

Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure. Polyethylene (PE) - Valves for water supply systems

BS EN 12201-4:2024Plastics piping systems for water supply, and for drains and sewers under pressure. Polyethylene (PE) - Valves for water supply systems