Pipe down Marley has your back this summer

1 February 2017

Designed to handle the rigours of farm life, the Marley 950 Series® Alkathene pipe is an affordable water supply pipe made from quality next-generation Polyethylene materials.

Easy to install and compatible with common popular LDPE sized fittings, its distinctive aqua stripes make it easy to spot in any Fonterra Farm Source store.

Key features of the Marley 950 Series® Alkathene pipe

• Flexibility – a greater bending radius makes handling and installation easier
• Durability – new generation materials with strong UV resistance mean a longer life and suitability for use above and below ground
• Bloat and Trace Element Resistance – designed for use with active bloat treatments, and resistant to common trace elements such as magnesium, copper and zinc, it is suitable for inline water medication systems where these bloat treatments and trace elements are used
• Compatibility – can be used with popular LDPE fittings commonly available in the market
• Variety – pipes are available in 15, 20, 25, 32, 40 and 50 millimetre (mm) diameters and in 25, 50, 100 and 200 metre coils

Installation Information

The 950 Series® has a high level of expansion which allows it to expand 2mm per lineal metre of pipe with every 10 degree increase in pipe material temperature.

In above ground installations where the pipe is not fixed and allowed to snake, the expansion will be taken up by the flexibility of the pipeline system.

If the system is buried below ground, no allowance for expansion and contraction is normally required as long as the pipeline is permitted to return to normal operating temperature prior to final connection and backfilling.

The flow through the 950 Series® will remain constant throughout the life of the pipeline under normal circumstances. The pipe is resistant to most forms of chemical attack but if you plan to use aggressive chemicals, please consult the Marley Pressure Pipelines manual for the chemical resistance table (Available at www.marley.co.nz).

Because the moving liquid in the pipe creates kinetic energy (due to mass and velocity), valves should be opened and closed slowly to reduce the likelihood of a pressure surge (commonly known as water hammer).

If the system is installed above ground, it is important to protect the pipe from damage by stock or vehicles. Due to expansion it is important to keep the pipe away from sharp objects where long-term abrasive action can occur. The pipe requires freedom of movement and, if secured to fences, the clipping method must allow for the pipe to move freely.

Pipe Selection

For maximum efficiency of your pipeline, forward planning is essential. Things to consider include:

• Location – where is the pipeline to be located
• Purpose – for what purpose is the water required
• Consumption – how much water will be required for a 24 hour period

When choosing a pipe’s diameter consider the following:

• Volume – the volume of water required at peak period
• Length – the length of pipe required
• Pressure – the static pressure at outlet available to supply water. (Note. Maximum pressure in the pipe must not exceed working pressure.) In the case of a pumped system the maximum pumped pressure and flow rate will need to be determined.

For more information visit www.marley.co.nz, contact your local Fonterra Farm Source TSR or drop into your local Farm Source store.

Article supplied by Marley