Natural Resources Conservation Service

Conservation Practice CONSTRUCTION Specification

PIPELINE

Code 516

1.  **SCOPE**

> The work shall consist of installing steel or plastic pipelines having
> an inside diameter of 8 inches or less.

2.  **SITE PREPARATION**

Site preparation (mobilization and demobilization, clearing and
grubbing, structure removal, pollution control, and water for
construction) shall be in accordance with Construction Specification
587.

3.  **MATERIAL**

> **Steel Pipe.** Steel pipe shall conform to the requirements of AWWA
> C200 or ASTM A120. All steel pipe and fittings shall be zinc---coated.
>
> **Plastic Pipe.** Plastic pipe shall conform to the requirements of
> one of the following specifications:

  --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  Material                          ASTM Specification

  Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene   D 1527, D 2282
  (ABS)                             

  Polyethylene (PE)                 D 2104, D 2239, D 2447, D 2737, D 3035

  Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)          D 1785, D 2241, D 2672, D 2740
  --------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

> **Marking on Plastic Pipe.** Markings on the plastic pipe shall
> include the following, which shall be spaced at intervals of not more
> than 5 feet:

-   Nominal pipe size (e.g., 2 inches).

-   Type of plastic pipe material, by designation code (e.g., PE3408).

-   Pressure rating in psi for water at 23 °C (73.4 °F) (e.g., 160 psi).

-   ASTM specification with which the pipe complies (e.g., D 3035).

-   Manufacturer's name (or trademark) and code.

-   The seal of approval of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), or
    of another accredited laboratory.

4.  **PLACEMENT**

> Any grading, shaping, or ripping of the pipeline right-of-way, as
> deemed necessary by the design, shall be done prior to the layout or
> installation of the pipe material.
>
> Pipelines shall be placed so they are protected against hazards
> imposed by traffic, farm operations, freezing temperatures, fire, or
> soil cracking.
>
> Trenches for plastic or coated pipelines shall be free of rocks and
> other sharp materials, and the pipe shall be carefully placed to
> prevent damage. Flexible plastic pipe may be placed by plow-in
> equipment if soils are suitable and rocks and boulders will not damage
> the pipe.
>
> Pipeline installation equipment shall be capable of installing the
> pipeline without causing immediate or long-term damage to the pipe or
> pipe couplers.
>
> Appurtenant structures shall be installed as designed and at the
> location shown on the drawings.
>
> Thrust blocks shall be installed as designed and at the location shown
> on the drawings.

5.  **TESTING**

> Pipelines placed in open excavated trenches will be tested before
> total backfill is completed. Backfill may be placed between the joints
> if needed to prevent movement of the pipe during testing.
>
> The pipe shall be filled with water and tested at the design
> working-head or at a minimum head of 10 feet, whichever is greater.
> All leaks shall be repaired and the test repeated.

6.  **DEPTH OF COVER**

> The pipe shall be placed to the minimum depth shown on the drawings.
> The pipe shall be placed below the frost line, and not less than 15
> inches in range land and 30 inches when crossing cultivated fields.
> The minimum depth may be obtained by mounding soil over the pipeline
> on range land where site conditions such as shallow soils or rock make
> it impractical to attain the minimum depth of cover by usual means. If
> mounding is anticipated to be used to achieve the minimum depth, the
> contractor shall obtain approval of this option from the designer in
> writing.
>
> Surface pipelines shall be installed as shown on the drawings.

7.  **BACKFILLING**

> All backfilling shall be completed before the line is placed in
> service. For plastic or coated pipelines, the initial backfill shall
> be of selected material, free from rocks or other sharp material that
> would damage the pipe. Deformation or displacement of the pipe must
> not be allowed to occur during backfilling.

8.  **CERTIFICATION AND GUARANTEE**

    a.  **Contractor Installed.** If the pipeline is installed by a
        contractor, the contractor shall:

        1.  Certify that the installation complies with the requirements
            of this specification.

        2.  Furnish a written guarantee to the NRCS and the landowner
            that protects the landowner against defective workmanship
            and materials for not less than one year and that identifies
            the manufacturer and markings of the pipe installed.

        3.  Identify the manufacturer and markings of the pipe
            installed.

        4.  Complete the as-built portion of the job sheet.

> **b. Owner installed.** If the pipeline is landowner installed, the
> landowner shall:

(1) Certify that the installation complies with this specification.

(2) Identify the manufacturer and markings of the pipe installed.

(3) Complete the as-built portion of the job sheet.

(4) All variations in construction from the approved design shall be
    authorized in a written change order properly signed and dated by
    the engineer authorizing the variation.

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9.  **MEASUREMENT**

> The completed length shall be the actual distance measured to within 1
> foot by any of the following methods and or as approved by the
> engineer: stadia, chaining, EDM, GPS, Total Station, or measuring
> wheel. Bills-of- materials will not to be accepted as measured
> distance.
>
> Project Name:
>
> Date:

10. **ITEMS OF WORK AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS**

> Items of work to be prepared in conformance with this specification
> and the construction details are: