Pipe Rules
1. All pipe is to be made from a long hole surrounded by plastic or metal centered around the hole.
2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout its entire length. Do not use holes of a different length than the pipe.
3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the OD (Outside Diameter), otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. All pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside it at a later date.
5. All pipe should be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site. Note: Some vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipes. If available in your area this product is recommended as it will save time at the job-site.
6. All pipe over 500 ft. (150m) in length should have the words “LONG PIPE” clearly painted on each side at the end so that the contractor will know it is a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 2 miles (3.2km) in length must also have the words “LONG PIPE” painted in the middle so that the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine if it is a long pipe or not.
8. All pipe over 6ft (1.83m) in diameter must have the words “LARGE PIPE” painted on it so that the contractor will not mistake it for a small pipe.
9. Flanges must be used on all pipe. Flanges must have holes for bolts, quite separate from the big hole in the middle of the pipe.
10. When ordering 90 degree or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify left-handed or right-handed, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right or left handed threads but do not mix the threads. Otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed onto one pipe it will be unscrewed from the other.
13. All pipes shorter than 1/8″ (3mm) are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as “washers”.
14. Joints in pipes for piping water should be watertight. Those pipes for compressed air however, need only be air-tight.
15. Lengths of pipe may be welded or soldered together. This method is not recommended for concrete or terra cotta pipes.
16. Other commodities are often confused with pipes. These include Conduit, Tube, Tunnel and Drain. Use only genuine pipes.