ADS HDPE Pipe Receives 100-Year Service Life Approval
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS), the world's largest manufacturer of HDPE pipe, is the first and only HDPE manufacturer in the underground drainage industry to receive a 100-year service life approval for its revolutionary N-12® corrugated HDPE pipe. The designation, given by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), approves N-12 pipe for use in most FDOT applications. Utilizing the most extensive testing protocol in the pipe industry, FDOT granted approval for 18" (450mm) through 48" (1200mm) ADS N-12 pipe under the "Class II" 100-year service life designation.
"The test results in Florida prove there is an increasing level of confidence in the use and performance of HDPE pipe," said Joe Chlapaty, chairman and chief executive officer of ADS. "Our goal is to deliver a product that will still be in the ground for generations to come and performing its intended purpose. We've always been confident that our products will last forever, and these tests simply serve as additional evidence to that fact. As with all ADS products, our customers can be assured that our HDPE pipe is providing a high quality, value enhanced solution to meet their underground drainage needs."
ADS's N-12 HDPE pipe is the world standard for corrugated polyethylene drainage pipe. Introduced in 1987, N-12 dual wall pipe, with its smooth interior wall and corrugated exterior wall, offers exceptional hydraulics and strength. Built using application specific high-density polyethylene, N-12 corrugated pipe also provides superior corrosion and abrasion resistance making it an excellent alternative to reinforced concrete and corrugated metal pipe.
According to ADS, the approval in Florida will mean significant growth among the company's public transportation infrastructure projects.
"We sell pipe day in and day out in Florida, but this approval will open numerous doors in terms of growth for ADS and our N-12 product line," said Bob Klein, vice president of sales and customer relations for ADS. "By manufacturing pipe within the state of Florida and keeping our product as close to our customers as possible, it will significantly reduce the time and cost of delivery. The ability to expand the applications of N-12 pipe will advance the industry as we know it today."
To determine the expected service life of the corrugated HDPE drainage pipe, FDOT adopted a test protocol specification that is the most stringent and comprehensive in the pipe industry. Incorporating projected long-term buried stress and environmental conditions, the test protocol utilizes the Rate Process Method (RPM) and Oxidation Induction Time (OIT) testing to measure stress crack resistance and product durability. These methods are well-established and widely used in the pressure pipe industry as a means to predict the long-term performance of thermoplastic pipe.
Introduced in 1987, N-12 smooth interior dual wall pipe meets strict quality control from raw materials to production - conforming to ASTM and AASHTO standards - and is specified nationwide in storm and sanitary sewers, agricultural drainage, road and highway construction, residential and commercial development as well as turf and recreational applications.
About Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) is the world's largest producer of HDPE corrugated plastic pipe. Founded in 1966, it serves the storm water drainage and on-site industry through a global network of 42 domestic and international manufacturing plants and more than 30 distribution centers. In addition to its flagship N-12 pipe, the company offers a complete line of fittings and other accessories including StormTech® stormwater chambers, Nyloplast® drainage structures and various geotextiles.
SOURCE: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.