ISO 8770:2003

Overview

ISO 8770:2003 specifies requirements for solid‑wall polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings used for soil and waste discharge (low and high temperature) inside buildings. The standard covers the complete system - materials, geometrical and physical characteristics, jointing methods and test parameters - but excludes buried pipework. It is applicable to internal building drainage, ventilation associated with waste systems and indoor rainwater conveyance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Materials: PE base compounds (including PE63, PE80, PE100) with permitted manufacturing additives. External recyclable material is not allowed; reprocessable material from production/testing is permitted.
• Rheological requirement (MFR): Melt mass‑flow rate measured per ISO 1133 (190 °C, 5 kg). Specified MFR range: 0.2–1.1 g/10 min.
• Thermal stability (OIT): For butt‑fusion materials, oxidation induction time per EN 728 (200 °C) shall be ≥ 20 minutes.
• Jointing methods: Designed for elastomeric sealing rings, butt fusion or electrofusion. Fusion compatibility is indicated among PE63/PE80/PE100 materials within the MFR range.
• Geometrical and dimensional control: Defines mean outside diameters, wall thickness limits, socket/spigot dimensions, chamfer requirements (angle 15°–45°), effective pipe length and z‑length guidance for fittings.
• Appearance and marking: Surfaces must be smooth and free of defects; pipes/fittings shall be uniformly coloured (recommended black) and clearly marked.
• Sealing rings and retaining means: Sealing rings may be retained by non‑PE plastics provided joint performance meets the standard’s requirements.
• Testing and performance: Includes referenced test methods for watertightness, airtightness, elevated temperature cycling, resistance to external blows and other performance checks.

Practical applications

ISO 8770:2003 is intended for:

• Internal sanitary drainage and soil stacks carrying domestic waste water (low/high temperature)
• Ventilation ducts associated with waste systems inside buildings
• Internal rainwater downpipes and drainage within buildings

This standard helps ensure that PE piping systems installed indoors are mechanically reliable, thermally stable for expected temperatures, and compatible with typical jointing methods.

Who uses this standard

• Manufacturers of PE pipes and fittings
• Plumbing and HVAC specifiers, building services engineers, and architects
• Installers and plumbers performing butt/electrofusion or rubber‑ring jointing
• Test laboratories and certification bodies
• Regulators and procurement teams specifying internal building drainage systems

Related standards

ISO 1133, ISO 3126 (dimensions), EN 1519‑1 (related application code), EN 681‑1/2 (seals), EN 728 (OIT), EN 1053–1055 (performance tests). These references are normative within ISO 8770:2003 and support test and material requirements.