Technical

BUSHPEX Crimp-On is a complete plumbing system comprising of PE-Xa pipe in sizes 16, 20 and 25mm plus a comprehensive range of DR Brass Crimp fittings with Stainless Steel sleeves. Manual and battery tooling options for calibrating and crimping the pipe and fittings completes the system, whilst the crimp gauge confirms each joint has been crimped properly.

BUSHPEX Crimp-On Pipe

BUSHPEX PE-Xa PN20 pipe is specifically designed for
the BUSHPEX Crimp-On jointing system in conformance with AS 2492 with watermark certificate WMKA 21274. BUSHPEX PE-Xa PN20 is compatible with all two BUSHPEX jointing systems for water including:

• BUSHPEX Pull-On
• BUSHPEX Crimp-On

BUSHPEX Pipe is available in four colours to identify the specific pipe application.

Black – Suitable for potable hot and cold water plumbing in domestic and commercial applications.

Red – Specifically for hot water lines in domestic and commercial applications.

Lilac – Specifically for recycled, non-potable water.

Green – Specifically for Rainwater.

NOTE: PE-Xa pipe exposed to sunlight must be protected.

BUSHPEX Crimp-On fittings

BUSHPEX Crimp-On fittings are manufactured to high standard production processes. BUSHPEX Crimp-On fittings use only D.R.BRASS (Dezincification Resistant) which is batch tested and conforms to AS 2345 . Fittings have long engagement, dual “O” ring barbs with a Stainless Steel Crimp ring and blue retainer with 4 engagement witness holes. All fittings have stamped detail into their Stainless Steel Crimp Rings clearly showing Brand, Size, Pressure Rating, Standard and watermark certificate Number. Identification stamping also appears on the brass fitting where possible or it
will display the letters “EL”. BUSHPEX Crimp-On fittings have been tested and approved in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2537.2 with watermark certificate WMKA 21276.

BUSHPEX Crimp-On fittings are avaliable in DN16, DN20 & DN25. Refer to the full product listing in this manual.

Pressure Loss
Pressure loss calculations using the Hazen-Williams equation. The pressure loss was calculated for both the internal mean inside diameter of SDR 9 of AS 2492:2007. To generate the theoretical calculations, the following assumptions were applied:

• Friction coefficient of plastic pipe at 15.5°C was taken as 140.
• The internal diameter used for calculation was taken at
  the theoretical mean diameter as per the manufacturing tolerances featured in Table 3.1 of AS 2492:2007 for SDR 9.

The following is a list of limitations of the Hazen-Williams equations but not limited to:

• Published literature suggests that the Hazen-Williams equation is reliable for water at 15.5°C with velocity flow less than 10 feet/s or 3.048 m/s.
• Changes in water temperature, density and media will alter the pressure loss.
• Installation where pipework which is curved or bent could alter the internal diameter.
• Installation of fitting and valves within pipeline network.
• Variations in manufacturing tolerances of wall thickness and internal diameter of the PEX pipe in each SDR class.
• Variations in the actual internal surface friction coefficient.

When used to calculate the head loss with the International System of Units, the equation becomes:

Where:
• S = Hydraulic slope
• hf = head loss in meters (water) over the length of pipe
• L = length of pipe in meters
• Q = volumetric flow rate, m3/s (cubic meters per second)
• C = pipe roughness coefficient
• d = inside pipe diameter, m (meters)
Note: pressure drop can be computed from head loss as hf × the unit weight of water (e.g., 9810 N/m3 at 4 deg C)

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas is a complete Gas Piping system comprising of a multi-layer composite PE-Xb/AL/PE-Xb (PEX-AL) pipe, a comprehensive range of Brass crimp fittings from 16mm to 63mm and tooling options in both manual and Battery operation complete with reaming/ calibrating tools and crimp gauges to ensure system performance.

1. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Pipe
BUSHPEX Crimp Gas composite pipe is manufactured from an inner and outer wall of crossed linked polyethylene material which is bonded on both sides with a middle layer of aluminium. The Pipe is yellow in colour and is clearly marked at 1m intervals detailing Brand, Type, Size, Class, Standard and Licence Number. The pipe has been tested and approved in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 4176 / ATS 5200 under Licence number SMKP 21859 for gas Installation only using BUSHPEX Crimp Gas fittings with the same corresponding Licence number.

2. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas fittings
BUSHPEX Crimp Gas fittings are manufactured to a very high standard from a solid brass forged process. Fittings have long engagement dual “O” ring Barbs with a Stainless Steel Crimp ring and a yellow plastic retainer with 4 engagement sighting holes. All fittings have stamped detail into their Stainless Steel Crimp Rings clearly showing Brand, Size, Class, Standard and Licence Number. Identification Stamping also appears on the brass fitting where possible or it will display the letters EL. In addition all BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Stainless Steel sleeves are identified with a yellow dot. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas fittings have been tested and approved
in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 4176 under licence number SMKP 21859 for gas Installation only, using BUSHPEX PEX-AL Gas Pipe with the same corresponding Licence number.

 

Pipe & Fitting Protection and Care during Handling and Installation:

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL pipe and fittings must be protected from damage through all stages of the process from transport to storage and installation in accordance with AS/NZS 5601. Provision for pipe and fitting protection therefore includes but is not limited to the following:

• Care must be taken to keep pipe free of grit, dirt, dust and foreign matter.
• Care must be taken to ensure fittings are free of grit, dirt, dust and foreign matter and the yellow retainer is securely seated onto the fitting with the stainless steel crimp ring and dual “O” rings are seated correctly.
• Pipe must be protected from physical damage including cuts, abrasion, dents, kinks, tears, holes, etc.
• Pipe must be protected from long term or permanent U.V. exposure.
• Pipe and fittings must be protected from excessive heat or burning, (refer to maximum operating temperature detailed in Pipe specification section), chemical / solvent attack, animal or rodent attack, machinery damage, other external threats, etc.
• Chemical or corrosive environments.
  • Pipe needs to be protected.
  • Fittings must be wrapped and protected. This
    includes all underground installations for all fittings.
• Pipe support and clipping; both vertically and horizontally to ensure conformance for vibration, excessive tension, torsion or compressive stresses on fittings and pipe. Refer to pipe specification Chart for spacing.
• Pipe penetrations through timber and steel frames and concrete sections need to conform and may require protection using grommets, fire collars, sleeving or wrapping. Holes, notches and cutouts must be accurately drilled “in-line” to allow movement for any expansion
  or contraction of the pipe and fitting so engagements are not exposed to excessive stress. Refer to Pipe specification Chart for timber frame cut out limitations.
• Pipe Expansion and contraction needs to be accommodated during installation to allow for movement due to thermal Linear expansion. Failure to do so may exceed torsional pullout allowances on fittings resulting in product failure. Refer to Pipe specification Chart for the Thermal Expansion co-efficient.
• Pipe Bending; BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL pipe is flexible but requires care when bending to avoid kinks, cracks or other permanent deformation that may restrict flow or put undue pressure on joints. If the pipe is kinked, bent or damaged in any way it must be cut out and replaced. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas elbows are recommended for tight bends and larger pipe sizes above 32mm. Refer to the Pipe specification Chart for minimum bending radius and tools for bending.
• Connecting Barbs; when soldering connecting barbs, (male or female) first remove/dismantle the yellow plastic retainer ring, stainless crimp ring and two “O” rings, then, solder the brass connecting barbs – allow
  to cool before assembly. When assembling the fitting, ensure the yellow plastic retainer ring, the two “O” rings and the stainless steel sleeve are installed correctly. (Refer to picture on Page 7 of this brochure for assembly detail). Alternatively, use elson PRESS Crimp-On fittings from copper to BUSHPEX Crimp Gas.

Underground Pipe installation:

Underground installation of BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX- AL Pipe must be in accordance with AS/NZS 5601. The following points should be noted and referenced for conformance to the standard:

• Piping beneath a building and in the ground is allowed with NO joints.
• Piping embedded in Concrete is allowed with NO joints, maximum pressure 70kPa.
• Underground installation should include the provision for a Trace Wire and Marker Tape to be installed to assist in pipe detection.
• Underground installation should comply with standard for quality of bedding and backfill.
• Underground installation must comply with the required standards for minimum buried depth.
• Underground Installation must comply with the required standard for termination to Metallic risers.
• Underground Installation must comply with the required separation standard for Consumer Gas Piping.
• BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Fittings must be wrapped and protected using suitable and verified processes for all in ground installations and corrosive environments.

Proprietary Gas System Identification:

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system has an identification Tag as part of its Product Range and must be permanently attached adjacent to the gas meter or
LP Gas cylinder to identify the system installed on every installation as detailed in AS/NZS 5601. Do not attach this signage plate to any gas cylinder or other movable object.

Provision for Pipe Reversion:

As detailed in AS/NZS 5601, in certain installations in some building types it is mandatory for the installation of reversion fittings to allow for Proprietary Gas Piping systems like BUSHPEX Crimp Gas to be extended or additions made for future application. A Reversion Fitting allows for the connection of a Proprietary system to be adapted to a standard Thread or Copper tube.
The BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system Product Range includes the three variants of Reversion fittings as detailed in the standard.

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools are specifically designed to be used with the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Pipe and Fittings System and must not be used with other systems. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools are manufactured to precise specifications and require:

• Care during operation and confirmation that each completed crimp joint is crimped correctly. The use of the BUSHPEX Crimp Gauge is required to confirm crimp conformance.
• Regular maintenance and cleaning after use to avoid dirt, dust, grit or moisture damaging the tool.
• Recognition of the jointing guide procedures and safety recommendations within this Manual and the Handbook Instructions of the approved BUSHPEX Crimp battery tool kit.

Specific and approved manual or battery drill BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Reaming / Calibrating tools are an essential requirement to round and deburr every squarely cut pipe end prior to insertion into the crimp fitting.

Use the BUSHPEX crimp gauge on each crimped joint to ensure the joint has been sufficiently crimped.

Pipe Sizing Table – elson BUSHPEX Crimp Gas