ASTM F1804-21 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Practice for Determining Allowable Tensile Load for Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pipe During Pull-In Installation — ASTM F1804-21. This practice establishes a method to calculate an allowable tensile load (ATL) for PE gas pipe to be installed by pulling (pull‑in) and explains how the ATL is used to set weak‑link devices or other means of limiting pulling force during underground installation.

Abstract

This standard (F1804-21) provides a short, three‑page practice for determining an allowable tensile load for polyethylene gas pipe during pull‑in installation. The ATL accounts for pipe size, tensile yield strength, installation temperature, and pulling duration, and is intended to be determined prior to installation so it can be used to set break‑away (weak‑link) devices or force‑limiting equipment. The practice does not specify weak‑link design or installation techniques.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition approved July 1, 2021).
• Publication date: July 1, 2021 (published July 2021).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems; Subcommittee F17.60 — Gas).
• ICS / categories: 23.040.20 — Plastic pipes (gas piping applications).
• Edition / version: F1804-21 (current edition, designation DOI 10.1520/F1804-21).
• Number of pages: 3.

Scope

This practice provides a procedure to determine an allowable tensile load (ATL) for polyethylene gas pipe intended for underground pull‑in installation (trenches, bores, casings, plow or similar methods). The ATL calculation considers pipe dimensions and material tensile properties, the expected pipe temperature during pulling, and the duration of applied pulling loads; it is intended to be used to set force‑limiting (weak‑link) devices or to assess whether pulling equipment can exceed safe loads. The practice explicitly does not cover weak‑link device design or the detailed installation methods themselves.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and calculation of Allowable Tensile Load (ATL) for PE gas pipe during pull‑in installation.
• Factors included in ATL: pipe size, tensile yield strength (material property), temperature during pulling, and load duration.
• Use of ATL to set break‑away (weak‑link) devices or force‑limiting equipment for pull‑in operations.
• Guidance that ATL is determined prior to installation; the practice does not specify weak‑link device design or detailed installation procedures.
• Units: inch‑pound are the standard units; SI conversions provided for information only.

Typical use and users

Primary users include gas utility engineers, pipeline installation contractors, designers and manufacturers of PE gas pipe and weak‑link/force‑limiting devices, project engineers planning pull‑in installations, and third‑party testing or inspection organizations. The practice is used during project design and pre‑installation planning to set safe pull limits and to specify or validate weak‑link settings.

Related standards

Related ASTM and industry documents include other PE gas pipe installation and specification standards such as ASTM F1041 (squeeze‑off of polyolefin gas pressure pipe and tubing), specifications for PE pressure pipe (e.g., D3035/F714 family), and related pull‑in practices for other materials (see the ASTM plastics/pipe standards listings). Users often consult companion specifications for pipe material, joining methods, and underground installation practices when applying F1804-21.

Keywords

Allowable Tensile Load, ATL, polyethylene gas pipe, PE gas pipe, pull‑in installation, pull‑in, weak‑link, force‑limiting device, underground gas distribution, tensile yield strength, installation temperature.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F1804-21 is a short practice that defines how to determine an allowable tensile load (ATL) for polyethylene (PE) gas pipe that will be installed by pulling into underground locations; it is intended to be used to set weak‑link devices or other limits on pulling force prior to installation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the calculation and use of an ATL based on pipe size, material tensile properties, temperature, and load duration for pull‑in installations (trenches, bores, casings, plow, etc.). It does not specify weak‑link hardware design or detailed installation procedures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Gas utilities, pipeline installers, pipe manufacturers, device designers (weak‑link/force limiters), and project engineers use it during design and pre‑installation planning to ensure pulling forces remain within safe limits for PE gas pipe.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: F1804-21 is the current edition approved July 1, 2021. Earlier historical versions include F1804-97 and interim updates; users should confirm they are using the F1804-21 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ASTM F17 committee publications addressing plastic piping systems (Book of Standards volume 08.04) and is typically used alongside other PE gas pipe specifications and installation practices published by ASTM and industry groups.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Allowable Tensile Load (ATL), polyethylene (PE) gas pipe, pull‑in installation, weak‑link, force limiting, underground installation, tensile strength, installation temperature.