Key Properties
- Stronger, Resilient, And Lightweight
The Astral Drainmaster system is remarkably durable and resilient. The SWR pipe and fittings boast impressive mechanical strength and high impact resistance. Despite its toughness, this drainage system remains surprisingly lightweight and offers easy transportation, simple installation, and a long service life.
The Astral Drainmaster uPVC drainage system is exceptionally resistant to most acids, alkalis, effluents, salts, minerals, and aggressive soils. This superior resistance ensures the system remains unaffected by such substances and results in a longer lifespan and trouble-free operation.
The inert nature of the Astral Drainmaster uPVC drainage system ensures complete corrosion resistance. The SWR pipe and fittings eliminate the need for wrapping, coating, or lining. This feature guarantees that the uPVC SWR pipes maintain a long operational life and significantly outlast conventional systems. The robust design of the Drainmaster system provides reliable performance and durability for effective drainage solutions.
The Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes are non-combustible and inherently resistant to ignition. Even if exposed to a heat source, it is difficult to ignite and will stop burning once the source is removed.
Astral Drainmaster SWR pipe and fittings are non-conductor of electricity and are not
subject to galvanic or electrolytic action.
Astral Drainmaster uPVC drainage system is UV stabilised which gives protection to the system while
being operational in direct sunlight.
The Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes feature exceptionally smooth bores, precision joints, and a lack of internal projections. This ensures unparalleled hydraulic capacity throughout its entire lifespan.
The Astral Drainmaster uPVC drainage system offers a more cost-effective solution than traditional drainage systems available on the market.
- Quick and Easy Installations
Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes and fittings can be easily connected using either a rubber ring or solvent weld system. These simple techniques guarantee a completely leak-proof system, reduce installation time, and minimise maintenance requirements.
uPVC has a lower feedstock energy, especially compared to other polymers and common building
materials. It is the least energy-intensive of all thermoplastics. In life cycle analysis and independent
studies, PVC’s environmental impact has been found most favourable, so more usage of PVC pipe will greatly help to keep our global natural resources intake for a longer period. It does not pollute air, water or land during manufacturing or service life and can be recycled after prolonged service life.
The physical properties of PVC pipe offer designers a high degree of flexibility and enable them to create pipes and fittings with exceptional finishes.
Areas of Application
Astral Drainmaster is a versatile drainage system suitable for a wide range of applications, from residential homes to large commercial and industrial projects. It can be used in houses, offices, hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, airports, railway stations, stadiums, and theatres for efficient waste discharge, ventilation, and rainwater management.
Additionally, Astral Pipes has a large network of dealers, distributors, and field staff to ensure customers receive all-round support and supply. This means that you can trust Astral Drainmaster to provide a reliable and efficient drainage solution for your project.
Advantages of Drainmaster SWR Pipe and Fittings
One of the key advantages of Astral Drainmaster is its ability to handle a variety of waste types, including soil, water, and rainwater, without causing blockages or leaks. The system is designed to provide a smooth flow, ensuring that waste is removed quickly and effectively.
Available Size
Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes are available in four different sizes: 7.5 cm, 9.0 cm, 11.0 cm, and 16.0 cm.
This wide range of sizes allows for installation flexibility and allows customisation for the specific needs of each project.
SWR Pipe and Fittings
- Ringfit Pipes: Astral Drainmaster offers ISI-marked Ringfit pipes in two classes: Type A and Type B. Type A pipes are designed for ventilation and rainwater applications, while Type B pipes are suitable for soil and waste discharge. These pipes come in various sizes, ranging from 7.5 cm, 9.0 cm, 11.0 cm, to 16.0 cm, and are available in different lengths with single and double socket options.
The Ringfit pipes are manufactured using advanced automatic socketing machines, ensuring high precision. Each pipe features a socket with a groove that holds a yellow co-molded rubber ring. This rubber ring creates a watertight joint that allows for thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring durability and reliability. One end of the pipe is plain, while the other is self-socketed, making installation straightforward and efficient.
- Selfit Pipes: The Selfit pipes are also available in Type A and Type B. These pipes are socketed on automatic machines without grooves and are joined using solvent cement. One end of the Selfit pipe is plain, while the other is self-socketed, ensuring a precise fit. When joined with solvent cement, these pipes form a permanent watertight connection suitable for various drainage applications.
Sizes: 7.5 cm, 9.0 cm, 11.0 cm, 16.0 cm
- Grooved Ring Type: Astral Drainmaster SWR pipe and fittings are ISI-marked and available in a grooved ring type in a full range of sizes from 7.5 cm to 16.0 cm. These fittings are fully compatible with Astral Drainmaster pipes and ensure a reliable connection for various drainage applications.
Astral Drainmaster Grooved ring type fittings are self-socketed with grooves designed to hold a yellow co-moulded rubber ring. The grooves are manufactured using highly accurate online socketing machines to provide top-notch quality, performance, and customer satisfaction. With its advanced features and precise manufacturing, Astral Drainmaster grooved ring-type fittings deliver an efficient and hassle-free drainage solution.
- Pasting Type: Pasting-type fittings are self-socketed using advanced automatic machines. These fittings need to be joined using solvent cement for a secure connection.
Testing Requirements
Astral Drainmaster uPVC SWR pipe and fittings are manufactured under strict control of raw materials, production processes, dimensions, and identification. Continuous testing and quality checks throughout production ensure that the Astral Drainmaster system is highly reliable and efficient. This rigorous approach guarantees high performance and durability and makes it a trusted choice for drainage solutions.
Unique Identification
Each SWR pipe and fitting features a unique identification system called “Clock.” This ensures complete traceability for every production lot and allows easy tracking with quality assurance.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction
The Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes will expand and contract thermally like any other thermoplastic material. The degree of thermal expansion and contraction depends on the coefficient of thermal expansion (5.4 x 10⁻⁵ mm/mm/°C for PVC), the length of the piping, and the temperature difference it experiences. Typically, in drainage and sewer systems, atmospheric temperature changes have a greater effect on thermal movement than the temperature of the effluent, as full bore discharges occur only periodically and not for extended durations.
However, it is important to address the issues of expansion and contraction. For ring-fit joining systems, specially designed yellow co-moulded rubber rings and proper SWR pipe and fitting connections effectively manage length changes.
uPVC Traps
Traps are essential components of drainage and sewage systems. They prevent foul gases from entering while allowing waste to flow through. Conventional cast iron or cement traps are prone to bacterial growth and can suffer from damage due to salts and acidic or alkaline effluents and lead to cracks and inefficiency.
Astral Drainmaster uPVC Traps, on the other hand, are resistant to bacterial attack and chemicals. This characteristic makes them ideal for drainage systems. Their smooth inner surface ensures efficient flushing. Traps are available in P, Q and S configurations to accommodate different outlet angles.
Groove Ring Joining Method
- Cut Pipe: Cut pipe square. As joints are sealed at the base of the fitting socket, an angled cut may result in joint failure.
- Remove Burr And Bevel: Remove all burr from inside and outside of the pipe with a knife-edge file or deburring tool. Chamfer (bevel) the end of the pipe at 10° -15°
Clean: Remove surface dirt, grease, or moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
- Dry Fit: With light pressure, the pipe should go one-third to half of the way into the fitting socket. Pipes and fittings that are too tight or loose should not be used.
- Solvent Cement: Apply a full, even layer of solvent cement to the outside of a pipe and a medium layer of cement to the inside of a fitting.
- Join Pipe And Fittings: Assemble the SWR pipe and fitting socket till it contacts the socket bottom. Hold the pipe and fittings together until the pipe does not back out. Remove excess cement from the outer side. A perfectly made joint will show a continuous bead of cement around the perimeter.
Installation Of Traps And Testing The System
Installation of Traps
- Select the right type of trap from P / Q / S traps as per the outlet angle required. Place the trap on a firm base, pour it with concrete on a slab and set it relative to the level of the finished floor.
- Concrete can be poured around the P / Q / S trap but the outlet to the trap must be left open clear to concrete.
- Place the Astral W.C. connector ring to the socketed end of the trap.
- Apply rubber lubricant on the W.C. connector ring and the outer side of the W.C. pan. Join W.C. pan to trap by pushing W.C. pan to 125 mm socket of trap.
- Solvent cement can be used to make joints when 110 x110 mm traps are used to join connectors other than the W.C. pan connection. In such cases, the outlet of traps can be inserted in the socketed end of the SWR pipes or fittings, whichever is applicable and the joint can be solvent-cemented.
Thermal Expansion and Contraction
uPVC has a coefficient of linear expansion of 5.4 x 10-5 mm / mm / °C. This means that a one-metre length of uPVC pipe will expand approximately 0.54 mm for every 10°C increase or decrease in temperature. However, due to the brief duration of most effluent flows and the slow thermal response of uPVC, temperature variations rather than hot effluent discharge primarily cause significant thermal movement. To successfully accommodate thermal movement, controlled direction and distribution are essential. Specially designed rubber seal rings and a 10 mm gap during pipe and fitting connections can effectively manage length changes in most cases. Additionally, expansion loops, changes in direction, or offsets can be incorporated into the system to address expansion and contraction issues.
Preparing the Pipeline for Test
- All joints should be inspected to ensure the correct location of the mark or groove to the coupling socket.
- Check that the minimum cure time has elapsed since the last concrete thrust block or support was cast.
- Check the tightness of all ties and clamps and correct positioning of piping.
Water Test
A water test is a highly recommended procedure in most plumbing code standards. Its primary purpose is to identify and rectify any leaks at the joints before the system is put into operation. Ensure visual inspection of the joints, with a water test before closing in the piping or backfilling underground piping.
To isolate each floor or section being tested, test plugs are inserted into the stack through test fittings. All other openings should be sealed with test plugs or caps. The system is then filled with water at the highest point. As the water rises in a vertical pipe, it creates hydrostatic pressure, which increases with the height of the water column. Astral recommends testing at a hydrostatic pressure of 5 metres (0.5 kg/cm2) or as per local authority guidelines. Filling the system slowly, allows any trapped air to escape as the water rises. It is important to expel all entrapped air before starting the test, as failure to do so may lead to inaccurate results.
Once the stack is filled to the desired water level, a visual inspection of the section being tested should be conducted to check for leaks. If a leak is detected, the cause must be identified and addressed by repairing or replacing the joint. A suitable testing time is fifteen minutes. After successfully testing a section, the system should be drained, and the next section should be prepared for testing.
Installation Of Drainmaster System In Trench
One of the most significant advantages of the Astral Drainmaster SWR pipes is their lightweight nature. It allows for easy handling and the installation of longer lengths without a need for sophisticated lifting machinery or excessive in-trench labour.
Longer pipe lengths increase the installation process. Additionally, they minimise the likelihood of pipeline misalignment and subsequent blockages resulting from potential ground movement compared to systems constructed with shorter pipe lengths.
Sewer and waste pipelines rely on gravity for adequate fluid flow. Strict adherence to the designed grade throughout the entire pipeline is important. It must be maintained according to specifications between inspection or manhole positions.
Installation of Astral Drainmaster uPVC pipelines should be swift and efficient, provided proper guidelines are followed. Installers should also be familiar with national plumbing codes and local authority or municipal standards, where applicable.
Handling and Storage
Although Astral Drainmaster uPVC pipes are lightweight and easy to handle, careless handling can lead to unnecessary damage. SWR pipes and fittings should not be dropped, thrown onto hard surfaces, or allowed to come into contact with sharp objects that could cause deep scratches. Additionally, the foamcore pipes should be prevented from sliding across sharp edges.
Bowing
- Pipes can get distorted under high loads without support or if stacked incorrectly or at height. This can be aggravated if the pipes are hot.
- Heat sources should be avoided to reduce the risk of distortion.
- If SWR pipes or fittings are to be stored outdoors for a prolonged period, they should be protected. For example, hessian or white PE sheets allow ventilation and avoid heat build-up.
- Pipes heated on one side by direct sunlight might tend to bow. This process is reversible, and the bow can be eliminated by exposing the other side to the sunlight or otherwise allowing the temperature to become consistent before laying the pipe.
Storage
When temporary storage in the fields where racks are unavailable is necessary, SWR pipes can be stacked on the ground, provided the surface is level and free from loose stones or other sharp objects. Socketed SWR pipes should be stacked in layers with sockets placed at alternating ends of the rack, protruding to avoid uneven stacks and distortion. It is essential to ensure that the sockets do not bear the load. An alternative approach involves stacking alternate layers of pipes facing in the same direction.
For long-term storage, racks are recommended and should ideally provide continuous support. If this is not feasible, supports with a bearing width of at least 75 mm should be placed beneath the pipes at a maximum interval of 1 metre. Side restraints should be positioned at intervals not exceeding 1.5 metres, and stacks should not exceed 1 metre in height.
On-Site Storage
- Stacks should ideally contain only one diameter pipe size. If this is not possible, the largest diameter pipes should be placed at the base of the stack, and smaller pipes can be nested inside larger ones.
- All materials should be stored in well-ventilated, shaded conditions.
- Fittings should be kept under cover and not removed from their cartons or packaging until needed.
- Solvent cement and cleaning fluid should be stored in a cool location away from direct sunlight and any heat sources.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Insist on using Astral Drainmaster rubber lubricant and solvent cement for pipe joints.
- Ensure a straight pipe cut, as improper cuts can lead to leaks.
- Use the test plugs or socket plugs to test the lines. Avoid smoke tests.
- Avoid over-tightening door caps. Verify that door gaskets are placed correctly before tightening.
- Do not insert the pipe into the socket of a fitting without chamfering. It can result in misplacement of rubber rings and subsequent leaks in the piping.
- Never combine soil and waste lines without installing a water seal trap in between.
- Refrain from removing rubber rings from pipes and fittings to create solvent weld joints with the same pipe or fittings. It can lead to severe leaks or system failure.
- Do not install pipelines without properly placed pipe clips. These are essential for ensuring efficient system operation.
