ISO 15877-3:2009

Overview

ISO 15877-3:2009 - "Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations - Chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC‑C) - Part 3: Fittings" defines the characteristics, testing parameters and requirements for PVC‑C fittings used in building hot and cold water and heating installations. The standard applies to fittings for the conveyance of water (whether or not for human consumption) within buildings, and covers a range of service/application classes and design pressure classes referenced to ISO 15877‑1:2009. It does not apply where design or malfunction temperatures exceed the values in ISO 15877‑1.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Fittings for domestic water and heating systems, including joints with PVC‑C, other plastics and non‑plastic components.
• Fitting types covered:
  • Fittings for solvent‑cement joints
  • Mechanical fittings (compression, flanged, flat‑seat unions)
  • Fittings with incorporated inserts (threaded or other outlets inserted into injection‑moulded bodies)
• Material characteristics: Requirements for PVC‑C resin and permitted additives; evaluation of long‑term hydrostatic strength (σ-values) using ISO 9080/ISO 1167 test principles.
• Geometrical and dimensional requirements: Socket, flange and overall fitting dimensions and tolerances (referenced to ISO 3126, ISO 2536).
• Mechanical performance: Resistance to internal pressure, derivation of hydrostatic test pressures, free (unrestrained) lengths and bending characteristics.
• Ancillary requirements: Thermal stability, metallic insert materials, opacity, sealing rings (EN 681‑1), adhesives and marking/traceability.
• Test methods referenced: ISO 1167‑1/2, ISO 9080, ISO 580, ISO 7686 and related EN/ISO standards for threads, flanges and materials.

Practical applications

ISO 15877-3:2009 is used to ensure PVC‑C fittings are safe, dimensionally compatible and durable for:

• Domestic hot and cold water distribution systems
• Building heating circuits where PVC‑C is permitted by temperature class
• System design and specification for new construction and renovations
• Quality assurance and type testing during product development and production

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers of PVC‑C fittings and injection‑moulded components
• Plumbing and building services engineers specifying piping systems
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Installers and contractors seeking compliant components
• Regulators and specifiers assessing fitness for purpose

Related standards

ISO 15877 series (Parts 1, 2, 5, 7), ISO 1167, ISO 9080, ISO 3126, ISO 580, EN 681‑1 and standards for threads and flanges (ISO/EN references) all interact with ISO 15877‑3:2009 for a complete PVC‑C piping system specification.