In a working pipeline system, however, the useful working pressure can be limited by the sealing ability of the

joints, the pressure rating of the fittings or by the ability to the resist the end-loads that result from pressure.

The maximum system pressure should normally be lower than the maximum pressure rating of the pipe and
fittings used. The main exception is that site commissioning tests (leak tests) are often carried out above the
rated pressure but this is usually only for a short time and the effects of the excess test pressure should be
covered by the safety factor. The recommended test conditions vary for different pipeline materials, and may vary
from job to job so it is important to check.

Pressure rating is described in a number of ways – for example by a pressure Class “A”, “B”, ”C”, etc or by
nominal pressure as PN10, PN16 etc (PN comes from the French for Nominal Pressure, which is the official
pressure rating rather than the actual pressure capability of an individual pipe).

Rather than explain them all in detail, the table below shows how the different descriptions of pressure class
compare with each other. The conversions aren’t exact, but are close enough for everyday purposes.

Approximate conversions between common pressure units.

Pressure class PN Bar Metres MPa kPa Psi

head
A 3 3 30 0.3 300 45
B 6 6 60 0.6 600 90
C 9 9 90 0.9 900 135
D 12 12 120 1.2 1,200 180
E 15 15 150 1.5 1,500 225
F 18 18 180 1.8 1,800 270
No Class defined 10 10 100 1 1,000 150
No Class defined 16 16 160 1.6 1,600 240
No Class defined 20 20 200 2 2,000 300
No Class defined 25 25 250 2.5 2,500 375

Until recently, the pressure class of ductile iron pipes (and cast iron pipes before that) was described through the
wall thickness K9, K12, K14 etc, which was used to work out the pressure rating. Since 2004, these K classes
have been replaced by PN ratings but K classes will be around for a while as old stocks are used up and, of
course, older fitting and pipelines with these ratings will remain in service for many years to come.

The above text was based on information given as part of the National Certificate in Water Reticulation
(Serviceperson) qualification.